Proportions are what makes the old Greek temples classic in their beauty. They are like huge blocks, from which the air has been literally hewn out between the columns.
The quote by Arne Jacobsen, “Proportions are what makes the old Greek temples classic in their beauty...,” emphasizes the foundational role of proportion in classical architecture. Jacobsen, a Danish modernist architect and designer, admired how ancient Greek temples achieved timeless beauty not through ornamentation, but through carefully calculated ratios and spatial harmony. For him, it was the balance and symmetry—the way each element related to the whole—that gave these structures their enduring aesthetic power.
By describing the temples as “huge blocks, from which the air has been literally hewn out between the columns,” Jacobsen conveys a sense of solid mass transformed by space. This imagery suggests that the voids, or intercolumniation, between the columns are as important as the columns themselves. The architecture becomes a kind of sculptural form—monumental, yet light—where space is deliberately carved, not just occupied. This interplay between solid and void reflects a deep understanding of form, light, and structure.
Jacobsen’s own work, though rooted in modernism, reflects similar concerns with clarity, geometry, and proportion. His furniture and architectural designs—such as the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen—are known for their elegant simplicity and refined sense of scale. Like the Greek architects he admired, Jacobsen sought to create spaces that were both functional and beautiful, guided by the same principles of order and restraint.
Ultimately, the quote reveals Jacobsen’s belief that great architecture transcends style and era through its mastery of proportion. Whether ancient or modern, it is this underlying mathematical harmony that gives architecture its emotional and visual resonance, allowing it to endure as art and structure across centuries.
DMVu Duc Minh
I really appreciate how this quote elevates the idea of proportion as not just a design tool, but as something that breathes life into a structure. It makes me think—what’s the equivalent of that concept in digital architecture or virtual spaces? As we start designing more in virtual environments, will proportions still matter in the same way, or will the absence of physical laws change our sense of spatial beauty entirely?
VPThu mo vit Perry
There’s something incredibly elegant about the way Greek temples use proportion to create harmony. But how much of this can we apply to today's urban architecture, especially in crowded cities with complex zoning and density demands? Is it possible to maintain this kind of proportion-driven beauty when economic and spatial constraints dominate the design process? Or is it something we’ve lost in the rush toward efficiency?
KNKim Ngan
This quote really highlights the sculptural nature of architecture. I never thought of Greek temples as having the air carved out of them—it’s such a powerful visual. Do modern buildings ever achieve that same sculptural quality, or is that more of a rarity now? With so many rectangular glass towers, I wonder if the artistry of proportion and void has taken a backseat to more utilitarian goals.
HGNguyen Thi Hong Gam
It’s amazing to think that something as precise as proportion could be responsible for the emotional and visual impact of the Greek temples. But I wonder, is beauty in architecture really universal, or is it conditioned by culture and history? Maybe these proportions feel 'right' to us because we’ve learned to see them that way. I'd love to explore whether other cultures have similarly mathematical foundations for their traditional architecture.
NLHong ngoc Lee
I love how the quote uses such vivid imagery—like the air being sculpted out of stone. It’s poetic and makes the Greek temples feel almost alive. But do we place too much reverence on classical architecture as a benchmark for beauty? Can a building still be beautiful without adhering to these ancient ideals of proportion? I’d be interested to hear how contemporary architects reinterpret proportion in modern contexts.