The word "Perfection" exists in the very first page of any Romans' mindset. From the day the Coliseum in Rome was built, to the time when they built the Parthenon they are known by many to create one of the greatest architecture known to architects and historians. Even in the century when the Roman Empire came to a complete fall, there is only one thing that still exist and stand in time and forever - Its Architecture.

From time to time and many years to come, even the modern architects of today still follow the principles and guidelines put up by the Romans, the Golden Rectangle for proportion, and so on - and so fourth. Therefore the influences that pertains to the Roman context of Architecture still exists in many buildings - And especially in Singapore as well. In this article, it has been brought to my attention that one of Singapore's most favored architectural landmark, The Supreme Court, does have a little detail and resemblance of Roman architecture. Though the correct, or should I say, the accurate architectural style of the Supreme Court is Neo-Classism. And yes, I do find in my personal flavor that Neo-Classism does have a fair bit and resemblance of the Roman architectural context.

How?

Proportionate architecture

The Old Supreme Court, which is practically designed with what the Romans have perfected long ago - The use of the Golden Rectangle (Or the golden ratio) in overall shape and form for a structure. If you look at its plan; well not only plan but by just standing in front of it, you can easily tell from your eyes that the rectangular form has a nice overall length being given and yes, pleasing in the eye. To top it off, a cupola located at the top of the building was built. Many Roman buildings are based upon this idea. One good example is the Parthenon, that the front elevation was designed based on the overall dimensions of the Golden Ratio and it was then sub divided into smaller segments, still pertaining to the proportional dimensions of the golden ratio. The supreme court, by all other measurements and views, does look very pleasing in the eye for many, most notably the nicely crafted cupola; unlike Norman Foster's New Supreme Court with a "Flying Saucer" as a representative dome? C'mon.

Columns and other misc. details

Perhaps another observation that was made; The Supreme Court has similar column capitals compared to the Roman Column capitals. The 4 common types of capitals are known as the Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite column capitals. In this case, the Supreme Court has the highest order, the Corinthian capital. Even the plinth and base of the columns were based upon the Roman orders of Architecture. So of all of it comes to this term of inspiration. Perhaps, the most dominant of all, is the entablatures of the Supreme Court has similar references or influences to the Roman Orders!

The list of Roman influenced buildings definitely goes on forever - In this overall result, Roman Architecture is widely influenced till this very day. Practically not in the terms of details, but probably in the overall order and planning of a building; particularly the use of the Golden Ratio Triangle.

The Parthenon with the Golden Ratio

The Old Supreme Court

The Corinthian Capital of the Supreme Court

3 Arched Windows