Corners, used to support the corners of buildings, are common in Roman architecture.
In traditional Georgian and Roman architecture, before the advent of modern housing support infrastructure, building corners often required additional support to support the weight of multi-story stone ceilings. This was particularly true of medieval and Victorian castles and major estates and cathedrals. Architects tasked with constructing such buildings often secured corner support with the use of a wedge. A quoin is a block, usually stone or brick, placed at the corner junction between supporting walls. The dimensions normally protrude from the corner, but can also be recessed and in any case give a varied, almost striped appearance to the corner of a building.
Quoins had a very important role to play in traditional architecture. They deflected and distributed the weight, relieving the pressure on the stone walls between which they sat. Without them, the walls are unlikely to be structurally sound and many would have collapsed before construction was even complete.
The result was also aesthetically pleasing as they created a unique visual diversion and a sense of depth and interest. The use of quoin stone and quoin stones quickly became synonymous with nobility and wealth. Most houses occupied by peasants and commoners were too small to require quoin support, and architectural services were never cheap.
Modern architecture in the West continues to embrace the aesthetic elements of the quoin, although the use of the quoin is rarely more functional. Modern architectural techniques allow walls and buildings to be internally supported without additional corner supports. Furthermore, 21st century houses and buildings are rarely, if ever, made solely of stone.
While countries like the United States, Australia, and Canada have never known truly ancient buildings or resident gentry, the architectural preferences of these ancient beings continue to captivate homeowners and business developers in these markets. Decorative hills can be seen in homes and office buildings around the world. They are generally believed to lend class and an old world feel to buildings, especially those made of stone or brick.
Even so, decorative hills should be planned by architects with a bit of forethought. With few exceptions, dimensions cannot be added to a building after construction. A decorative brick wedge or limestone wedge is built into the original structure or façade and would serve as structural support, but generally not to the depth or extent of a functional wedge.
Quoins are often enhanced by the use of brick or stone in a color that contrasts with the rest of the wall. However, even the uniformly colored quoins give a unique and remarkable look. Stucco corners are an example of corners that are almost always the same color as the rest of the structure. Stucco dimensions are usually set to the outside of a finished corner, but are usually anticipated by prepared slots and entries made during construction. Stucco hills can sometimes be added to buildings that were not designed with glue in mind, but this is generally not recommended.