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Southern Home Pediments
The white-pillared Southern home had many facets. Among the most recognizable features of these homes was the pediment, a projecting low-pitch triangular gable that typically rested atop the portico, or porch and was sometimes supported by a colonnade. If the pediment recessed into the structure, it was occasionally anchored by pilasters, or flat columns set against the facade. The classical pediment features clean lines and little ornamentation.
Pediments trace their roots to the architecture of ancient Greece, where they were commonly used on ancient temples. The famous 16th Century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, who was heavily influenced by Grecian architecture, widely used pediments and porticos in his buildings. As the Greek Revival style helped the budding republic of the United States gain a national identity, numerous pattern books were published that helped popularize the style. These books made it easy for the Southern builder to recreate the look using locally available materials. (The ancient classical orders were all intended for stone to be used. But many Southerners—depending upon which region they lived—turned to stucco, brick, and wood as alternatives.)
Not exclusive to the Greek Revival style, pediments of many kinds decorated other Southern architectural styles, including Colonial and Classical Revival styles. Broken pediments are common in Colonial styles of architecture. Open-bed pediments feature a gap in the base molding and triangular-shape returns at the corners. The sloping sides of broken-apex pediments are returned before reaching the apex. Another popular broken-style pediment is the swan’s neck; a pediment featuring scroll-like S curves that flank a central finial.
The popularity of the pediment may stem from its unique ability to draw attention to the façade of a home, facilitate a sense of exterior balance, and showcase the front entrance. Pediments even can be found on the Southern homes being built today, a testament to its enduring qualities.
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