To define Balustrade in traditional terms is being a row of repeating balusters (vertical posts) that support the upper handrail of a railing. However, balustrade is also taken to mean 'edge protection' - a phrase describing the function or role of the structure, rather than relating to its appearance.
Definition of Balustrade
Today, the term balustrade is no longer taken to mean an array of traditional vertical balusters. In modern architectural context, arrays of vertical balusters are rarely employed, with an array of alternative structural (e.g. cantilevered panels), and infill materials such as glass panels, solid wall framing and folded metal being preferred. Where vertical infill members do exist (e.g. timber or stainless steel battens), they rarely serve the traditional role of providing structural support to the top rail of the structure.
This is partly because advances in technology and materials used within the construction methods have removed the design constraints that determined the use of rows of vertical balusters. These advances have taken trend over the traditional ornate and detailed appearance of traditional balustrade.
Traditional Balustrade
Balustrades are historically defined moulded poles that support the handrail of a staircase or create the individual shafts in staircases, fencing, gates, and railings. Traditionally balustrade have been noted in ancient Assyrian bas-reliefs as window balustrades. A single vertical member is called a ‘baluster’, and the plural form is ‘balustrade’. The term ‘balustrade’ originated from the Italian word ‘balaustra’ meaning pomegranate flower because of the similarities to a half-open flower. Ancient balustrades were moulded and hand-carved from material such as bronze, marble, or timber. Today, traditional designs have been recreated in materials such as hardwoods, softwoods, wrought iron, glass, polymer stone, cast stone and plaster. Wooden and stone balustrades are classically shaped on a turner’s lathe, which spins an unshaped block to cut and sand it with symmetry. Ornamental lathes can create balustrades of amazing complexity, using two centres or axis of rotation. Concrete, iron, plaster and polymer balustrades are created from cast moulds The degree of complexity or ornamentation varies does depend on the historical style in consideration. The Baroque style, for instance, was particularly ornate and decorative. A traditional 'Queenslander' homestead balustrade incorporates balusters of a relatively simple profile, but may include varies forms of ornamentation in the posts or between balusters.
Contemporary Balustrade
In contrast to traditional designs, contemporary balustrade design is more minimalistic and uses simple geometric shapes. Ornamentation is virtually eliminated. In common with other trends in modern architecture, it makes an impact generally through the use of contrasting materials such as glass and metal.
A common design priority in the design of modern balustrade is to create the impression of space and openness. Something due to the increase in population that we as a society lack. Perhaps this could be influencing our design choices and trends. The strength inherent in stainless steel or mild steel posts means that, when they are employed, they can be situated at relatively long intervals. The use of glass infill panels also contributes to the sense of light and space. Another feature of modern balustrade is the 'flameless cantilevered' approach, where the glass itself is a structural element that supports the handrail from a structural connection to the floor or void edge through a vertical cantilever. This allows the architect to eliminate not only the balusters, but also the stanchions / posts, in the balustrade design. Clearly, these newer approaches to balustrade display a trend towards minimalism and functionality.
The Future of Balustrade
With the current trend moving towards more cleaner and minimal approach to architecture, it will be interesting to observe how this affects balustrade design. Certainly the increased use of new materials such as solid surface acrylic products seems certain. Transparent and lightweight materials are the popular choice today. Whether this is due to health and safety or creating the illusion of space, reverting back to the traditional balustrade becomes more a luxury. For example if you are fortunate to have that space.
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