Gothic Architecture Features

Features of Gothic Architecture

• Plans are arranged for convenience rather than for symmetry
• Walls are made of rubble masonry, not laid in horizontal courses, with small pieces of material
• Walls are no longer load-bearing, which contributed to the use of stained glass

Openings

• Doors and windows are recessed and spanned by pointed arches
• Gothic architecture is sometimes called the architecture of light
• Windows are enormous in size for stained glass display
• Windows are divided by vertical mullions and horizontal transoms
• Bar Tracery: composed of thin stone elements, giving a delicate, web-like effect

Roofs

• Towers are crowned with spires, accentuating the verticality of the design
• Gothic vaults are a beautiful feature
• Rose windows are a characteristic feature

Columns

• Columns were used structurally, but classical proportions were not observed

Ornaments

• Characteristics of Gothic ornaments include sturdy craftsmanship and bold execution
• Forms of ornaments include mediaeval mysticism, Christian subjects, and statues
• Motifs of ornaments include stained glass, grotesques, chimera or grotesque figures, and gargoyles

Gothic Architecture in France

• The Gothic style is also called "L'architecture Ogivale" from the word ogive, referring to a pointed arch
• Architectural features include the vaulting framework of intersecting pointed arch ribs (ogival system) and a chevet (apse with chapels)
• Lady Chapel is a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary
• Chantry chapel is for religious services for the donor's directions
• Fleche is a slender spire rising from a roof

Amiens Cathedral

• Slightly projecting transepts and a sweeping chevet of 7 chapels
• Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981

Periods of French Gothic

• 3 periods based on the evolution of window tracery:
  • Primarie Pd. (12th century): characterized by pointed arches and geometric tracery
  • Secondaire Pd. (13th century): characterized by circular windows with wheel tracery
  • Decorated Gothic (1275-1375): characterized by fanciful window tracery

English Gothic

• 4 periods based on the evolution of window tracery:
  • Early English (12th century)
  • Decorated (13th century)
  • Perpendicular (14th-16th century)
  • Tudor (15th-16th century)

Vaults

• Evolution of English Gothic vaulting:
  • Early English vaulting: quadripartite ribbed vault with wall ribs and formerets
  • Decorated vaulting: addition of lierne ribs producing a star-shaped pattern
  • Perpendicular vaulting: intricate stellar vaulting led to fan or conoidal vaulting
  • Tudor vaulting: use of four-centered arch and fan vaulting

Timber Church Roofs

• 5 types of roofs:
  • Trussed-rafter roof
  • Collar-braced roof with hammer-beam form
  • Aisle roof (simplified)
  • Barrel roof
  • Tie-beam roof

This quiz covers the key features of Gothic Architecture, including plans, walls, and openings. Learn about the characteristics that define this style of architecture.