hypostyle hall

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: hypostyle hall

Imposing interior space with a flat roof that rests on many rows of columns. The design allows for the construction of large spaces without arches. It was used extensively in ancient Egypt (e.g., Temple of Amon at Karnak) and Persia. The elaborately carved pillars consumed much of the floor space and therefore assumed great importance. Hypostyles are rarely seen in more recent architecture because of more effective means of roof support.

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Architecture: hypostyle hall

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1. A large space with a flat roof supported by rows of columns. Prevalent in ancient Egyptian and Achaemenid architecture.
2. A structure whose roofing was supported, within the perimeter, by groups of columns or piers of more than one height; clerestory lights sometimes were introduced.

hypostyle hall, 1: sectional view of Temple of Rameses II, Thebes

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	Achaemenid architecture
	hypostyle (part of structure, ancient Egypt)
	Karnak (city, Egypt)

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		Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		Architecture. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more