Kallikrates and Iktinos (447 to 438 bc). Parthenon [marble and masonry]. Ruins of Athens.

The Parthenon represents each of the three major types of artistic expression. The marble and masonry used in its construction is refined but foundational to its appearance, creating a work of process art. Perceptually, it is undeniably pleasing, based on exacting precision in elemental arrangement and masterful calibration of proportions, spacing and repetition. Conceptually, which in my opinion outworks the other two, it represents the ancient post-and-lintel system of spanning space brought to its logical conclusion, infused with balance-based visual beauty, connecting the structure to the rationality inherent to Greek culture.

The golden ratio (1/1.618) is not used to arrange or populate elements, but a ratio organic to this structure of 4/9 is. This can be seen in the pleasing appearance of the peristyle used to define the outer edges of the structure, where eight columns populate the short axis, and 18 build the long. Harmony characterizes the alternation of architectural elements and voids, drawing the eye along each visible dimension at an even pace.

The colossal scale of the Parthenon is enhanced by a handful of illusionary practices installed during its construction. A narrowing of space between the corner columns and the ones adjacent to them, entasis and a subtle bowing of the entablatures add a hint of drama more than enlarge its appearance, although either argument could be made. The Parthenon is a very rare example of equivalencies building harmony rather than discord, as in the even distribution or rounded and straight edges, and pleasing arrangement of positive and negative space, especially in the facades.

The Parthenon fully qualifies as a master work of architectural design and exacting control over space to influence the mind-space of visitors. As a designer, the careful consideration of the purpose of each constituent part, and their influence and/or reliance on each other, represents masterful economy and rationality. A great achievement of this structure is its success at connecting architectural expression to the values of the contextual culture that was responsible for its creation, and repeated attempts to connect those values to the design of structures throughout history. It represents the idealism characteristic of classical Greece, a structure repeatedly recognized as achieving perfection in expression as close as humanly possible.