#Balustrade September 1

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August 2026 several of us are going to take on the 30-Day Architectural Coach4aday Challenge each day, we will define an architectural term and provide examples of where it is located. This challenge will let observation, travel, history, and photography all intersect. For Day 1 it is BALUSTRADE.

Our home was built in 1910, and it features a very large wrap around porch. The porch has 14 sets of Balustrades.

Here is a photo of the left corner of the house.

30-Day Architectural Challenge Guidelines

If you have ever watched Seinfeld, you know that George Constanza always wanted to pretend to be an architect.

Well, this month’s challenge let’s all of us that are not architects learn a little more about their language. To do that we have a simple challenge.

Every day we’ll learn one architectural term. Your challenge is to find an example—preferably one you’ve actually seen—and share a photograph, location and brief explanation.

Day 1-Balustrade

Full disclosure: I had a perception of what a balustrade was, but I was mistaken. A balustrade is actually the complete railing system, which includes the top rail, bottom rail, and the balusters—the individual vertical pieces in between. For years I was confusing the balusters with the balustrade.

Even though my home is constructed of wood Balustrades continue to be used today in a vast variety of shapes and materials. In addition to wood posts, you can also discover elaborate wrought-iron spindles and marble.

Iowa Law Library

The most impressive display of this architectural feature I have ever seen is inside the Iowa State Capitol. One of the rooms houses the Iowa Law Library. Take a look at their staircases with beautiful balustrades.