Gothic architecture

Gothic ArchitectureGothic Architecture

Gothic ArchitectureGothic Architecture

Tree of ArchitectureTree of Architecture

Gothic ArchitectureGothic Architecture

Gothic Architecture 12 Century – 16 Century

When?Gothic Architecture began towards the end of Romanesque architecture.It heralded many changes in design and appearance of churches, both inside and out.

Why?There was a need to progress in the development of building design. There was a desire to reach perfection in the buildings and this perfection was to resemble Gods relationship with the universe.

Where?It began in France. By the end of the 12 Century it reached England and later on the rest of Europe.

Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500

What did it look like outside?

Gothic architecture outside 1. Pointed arches2. very linear3. Tall and slender in appearance4. Very decorative

The overall pointed look was for the church to appear that it pointing towards God and the

Heavens.

1

2

4

Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500

What are its characteristics outside?

A. Pointed archesUnlike the Romanesque style, these arches are pointed. They point up towards

the Heavens, as does the whole appearance of Gothic architecture.

B. Flying buttressesThese were attached to the outsidewalls of the church. They gave extra support to the roof and the thinner walls. They took

the weight of the roof away from the walls.

Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500

What did it look like inside?

Gothic architecture inside

Bright and airyHigh ceilingsVery decorativeLots of windowsStained glassed windows.Pointed arches.Vertical and slender in appearance.

What are its characteristics inside?Ribbed vaultsPointed arches

Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500

What are ribbed vaults? “Ribs” were the extra support in the vaults. The roof and

support system consisted of ribbed vaults.

What were the results and effects of ribbed vaults?a) They discovered that if they used ribs in their vaults

the ribs would support much of the weight of the roof. The areas in between the ribs could be filled with much lighter stone than that had been used in the Romanesque barrel vaults.

b) If the ribs were capable of taking the weight of the roof there was no need for thicker walls, therefore the walls became thinner, another difference from the Romanesque churches.

Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500

c) As there is not as much pressure on the walls to support the roof (ribbed vaults and the flying buttresses support the weight), there is an opportunity of adding more windows. Therefore the churches became brighter and airier.

d) Due to the support of the ribs and the buttresses builders could afford to make the roof higher. Less weight – less likely to collapse. Another difference from Romanesque architecture.

The south transept facade at York Minster

The Devil tempting the Foolish Virgins at Strasbourg.

Windows in the Chapter House at York Minster

The longitudinal emphasis in the nave of Walls

The spacious interior of Regensburg Cathedral Barcelona Cathedral has a wide nave with the clerestorey windows nestled under the vault.

The clear proportions of Florence Cathedral are defined by dark stone against the colour-washed plastered brick.

A Gothic Revival library from Newburgh,

Gothic architecture is characterized by tall minarets pointed arches, large windows and stained glass painted with Bible stories. And the pointed arch, flying buttress and the long beam-column create a sense of flying. The majestic appearance the vast space in the church and the long windows with stained glass produce a strong religious atmosphere. The plane of the church is based on the Latin cross, but there is a pair of towers added on both sides of the doors at west.

Characteristics of Gothic Architecture

Pointed ArchPointed Arch It is simply known as the It is simply known as the

Gothic Arch and was Gothic Arch and was reconstructed from reconstructed from cylindrical vault of Roman cylindrical vault of Roman architecture. There are four architecture. There are four stones at the end of the stones at the end of the arch supporting the power arch supporting the power from the top so that the from the top so that the height and the span of the height and the span of the arch are no longer arch are no longer restricted and the arch can restricted and the arch can be made as large and high be made as large and high as possible.as possible.

Flying ButtressFlying Buttress

Buttress, also known as kongfuduo, is a Buttress, also known as kongfuduo, is a

supporting facility to share the pressure from supporting facility to share the pressure from

the main walls. It has been largely used in the main walls. It has been largely used in

Roman Architecture. The original buttress Roman Architecture. The original buttress

was solid and covered by the roof. However, was solid and covered by the roof. However,

the buttress with Gothic style is exposed out the buttress with Gothic style is exposed out

to be known as flying buttress. Due to the to be known as flying buttress. Due to the

further requirements of the height, the role further requirements of the height, the role

and appearance of buttress have been greatly and appearance of buttress have been greatly

enhanced. It is coved with complicated enhanced. It is coved with complicated

decorates and elaborate carvings. decorates and elaborate carvings.

Stained GlassStained Glass Gothic architecture gradually abolishes Gothic architecture gradually abolishes

the gallery and aisle and increases the the gallery and aisle and increases the size of the window. These windows are size of the window. These windows are high enough, almost to be used as the high enough, almost to be used as the walls. The stained glass, covered with walls. The stained glass, covered with religious stories which help to illustrate religious stories which help to illustrate the doctrines to illiterate people is of the doctrines to illiterate people is of high artistic achievement. There are high artistic achievement. There are two main colors, blue and red. Blue two main colors, blue and red. Blue symbolizes the heaven and red symbolizes the heaven and red symbolizes the blood of Christ. The symbolizes the blood of Christ. The stained glass creates a mysterious but stained glass creates a mysterious but brilliant scene, which express people’s brilliant scene, which express people’s longing for the kingdom of heaven. longing for the kingdom of heaven.

Beam-ColumnBeam-Column

Many columns, no longer simple round, come together and Many columns, no longer simple round, come together and emphasize the vertical lines, which makes the whole emphasize the vertical lines, which makes the whole architecture to form an organic whole with simple lines and architecture to form an organic whole with simple lines and grand appearance. grand appearance.

French Gothic architectureFrench Gothic architecture English Gothic architectureEnglish Gothic architecture Germany architectureGermany architecture Spanish architectureSpanish architecture Italian architectureItalian architecture

Regional DifferencesRegional Differences

Height Height

Impression of Impression of

verticality verticality

Two large towersTwo large towers

Gothic Architecture

Extreme lengthExtreme length

External emphasis upon the horizontal External emphasis upon the horizontal

Double transeptsDouble transepts

Huge size Huge size

Modular nature Modular nature

OpennessOpenness

Stoned Architecture

Special complexitySpecial complexity

Tall arcades Tall arcades

Low clerestories Low clerestories

Polychrome Polychrome decoration decoration

Few and widely Few and widely spaced columns spaced columns

Simple proportions Simple proportions

Early Gothic – Laon Cathedral, 1160-1205

• 4 story elevation

• sexpartite (6 part) vaults spanning 2 bays

• alternate support system

• division into horizontal and vertical bands

• recessed triple portals

• towers at crossings and transepts

High Gothic – Amiens Cathedral, 1220-1236

• 3 story elevation

• quadripartite (4 part) vaults spanning 1 rectangular bay

• no alternate support system (unified space)

• equal height of arcade & clerestory

• deeply recessed portals

• more tracery, sculpture & piercing of walls

• play of light & dark

Nave elevations of four French Gothic cathedrals at the same scale(a) Laon, (b) Paris, (c) Chartres, (d) Amiens.

80' 107' 118' 144'

Early Gothic High Gothic

Late/Flamboyant Gothic – St.-Maclou, Rouen, 1434-1514

• named for flame-like pointed tracery attached to every surface • ornamental surface treatment emphasized over structural clarity

• cavernous portals and open tracery

• five-part facade

• crossing towers not façade towers

• much smaller than High Gothic structures.