Why did Hellenistic architects favor Ionic and Corinthian orders over Doric temples?

During the Hellenistic period, the traditional Doric order fell out of favor as architectural tastes shifted toward greater elaboration and grandeur. While the sober, restrained quality of the Doric style defined the Classical era, Hellenistic architects increasingly preferred the Ionic order and the more flamboyant Corinthian order to achieve more decorative and complex effects.1

Several factors drove this transition:

• Regional Preference: Much of the new temple construction occurred in the eastern regions of the Greek world, where the Ionic order had long been the established architectural idiom.1
• Aesthetic Versatility: The Corinthian capital, which could be viewed from any side, offered a practical and aesthetic advantage for use in interiors or at corners, where the directional nature of other capitals was less ideal.2
• Elaboration: The era was characterized by a desire to intensify and elaborate upon Classical styles. The Ionic and Corinthian orders provided richer opportunities for surface decoration, including the addition of diverse floral and animal motifs.1

Consequently, even when Doric temples were built, they were often modified with elaborate plans and details that departed from the order's original, austere character.1