Kolomlagen

Kolomlagen (literally “column layers”) is a Dutch term used in several domains to denote an arrangement or grouping defined by vertical columns. The exact meaning depends on the context, but the core idea is a systematic organization by columns that influence structure, space, or data handling.

In architecture and civil engineering, kolomlagen refer to the vertical alignment of load-bearing columns that organize space and transfer loads. Columns may be arranged in regular grids or more complex patterns to support floors and roofs while shaping interior and exterior forms. The concept is closely tied to the visual language of colonnades, porticoes, and peristyles, as well as to the structural behavior and spacing of a building.

In geology, the term is used in some Dutch-language sources to describe naturally occurring columnar structures that arise during the cooling and contraction of rocks. Columnar jointing creates vertical column-like elements, often forming a regular tessellation along a rock face. The arrangement and spacing of these columns reflect cooling history and rock composition.

In information technology, kolomlagen can denote a column-oriented organization of data within databases or processing architectures. Columnar storage stores data by column rather than by row, which can improve compression and accelerate analytical queries. The idea of “layers” may be used to describe successive columns or column families in a data model or processing pipeline.

See also: columnar storage, colonnade, columnar jointing, architectural typologies.