HYPOSTYLE HALL

in architecture, interior space whose roof rests on pillars or columns. The word means literally under pillars, and the design allows for the construction of large spacesas in temples, palaces, or public buildingswithout the need for arches. It was used extensively in ancient Egyptwhere the Temple of Amon at Karnak provides a good exampleand in Persiawhere the ruins at Persepolis give evidence of outstanding examples of hypostyle construction. Although the multiple, usually large, pillars naturally consumed much of the floor space of such halls, this drawback was turned to advantage when the columns were carved in heroic or religious motifs. The design has rarely been used in more recent architecture because of more effective means of roof support.