Gothic Architecture PDF

History of Architecture 2 ARCH 3231 / EGAR 4150 Chapter 1: Gothic Architecture Ms. Sarah Al Lawati Content Influencing Factors Characteristics and Features Examples Influencing Factors 1. Geography 2. Geology 3. Climate 4. Religion 5. Society Geography T...

History of Architecture 2 ARCH 3231 / EGAR 4150 Chapter 1: Gothic Architecture Ms. Sarah Al Lawati Content Influencing Factors Characteristics and Features Examples Influencing Factors 1. Geography 2. Geology 3. Climate 4. Religion 5. Society Geography The people of western Europe who were under the Roman Empire formed into separate nations, by the end of 12th century. Italy, Germany, France, Spain became independent kingdoms. Germany was supposed to be the holy empire then. England had large territories in France. Geology The Gothic style was characterized by the availability of building materials. For example: Gothic Architecture in Italy In Italy, white and colored marble were available. In England and France coarse grained stone, and Gothic Architecture in England in Germany, bricks became the character Climate The climate varies in Europe from North, South, East and West For example: At the North, the climate is dull. Therefore, large sized windows were used to admit sunlight, and high pitched roofs were used to drain off rainwater and snow. At the South, small windows were used to cut off bright sunlight. As there was less rainfall, the roofs were designed flat. Religion Immense power was given to bishops and popes.Hence power of churches increased and churches became dominant. Society Towns and cities were developed rapidly Public buildings were constructed City life was developed with great freedom Characteristics and Features 1. Church Plan 7. Stained Glass 2. Pointed Arch Vaulting 8. Gargoyles system 9. Doors and Windows. 3. Pier system 10. Imposing tow 4. Flying Buttress 11. Columns 5. Rose Windows 12. Statues were proportional to 6. Tracery Human scale Church Plan APSE TRANSEPT Transepts and Apse were given less importance NAVE Churches were symmetrical in plan. Wide Nave and double Aisles General Church Layout Chevet Radiating chapels called ‘ Chevet’ Gothic Church Layout Pointed Arch Vaulting Various types of vaulting systems were introduced by Gothic builders Rib and Panel Vaulting Gothic Church Layout 1. 4-ribbed vaulting 2. 6-ribbed vaulting Star shaped / Stellar Vaulting Gothic Church Layout Pier System An upright support for a structure or superstructure Columns are a similar upright support, but stand on a round base; in many contexts columns Piers and Columns may also be called piers Gothic churches were characterized with Pier-system of wall construction. Piers were often employed to support arches, and square or rectangular in section. Thick column Sections as Piers Flying Buttress This is a strong and dominating structural element used widely in Gothic churches. Flying buttress is an arch starting from a detached pier and abutting against a wall to take the load of the vaulting. A high-weighted stone pinnacle were used to transfer the load vertically down from flying buttress to Pier. Flying Buttress Rose Window Also known as Wheel windows and Circular windows Gothic architecture can be classified based on the type of wheel windows evolved. 1. Primary Period / Lancet Period (12th to 13th century A.D.) 2. Secondary Period / Rayonnant Period (13th to 14th century A.D.) 3. Tertiary Period / Flamboyant Period (14th to Rose Window 16th century A.D.) Tracery Geometrical decorations found on rose windows. Rose windows with tracery (patterns) were dominating features in the front façade of the church. Tracery Stained Glass A painted / colored glass made of small multi-colored glass pieces joined together to form a motif. Gothic builders invented painted colored glass called Stained Glass and inlaid in the wheel window and windows of the church. The stained glass had three basic properties 1. It contains brilliant transparent pictures 2. Resembles precious stones 3. It is Mystic in character, it glowed without fire Stained Glass Gargoyles Statues or Fountain of rough human and / or animal figures in front of Gothic churches. Gargoyles Doors and Windows Doorways were proportional to Human scale. Large sized windows divided by vertical mullions and horizontal transoms were used with painted colored glass. Other Characteristics and Features Imposing towers at the front of the church is most impressive feature of the churches during Gothic Period. Columns, where the central Nave is divided into number of wide bays with cylindrical columns of Corinthian capitals carrying pointed arches. Statues were proportional to Human scale- and it was an integrated part of the building Gothic Architecture Example Notre-Dame Paris Notre-Dame, Paris This is considered as one of the greatest examples of French Gothic Architecture, built over two centuries from 1163 to 1345. Cruciform in Plan. The Nave, Transcept and Tower were borrowed from Romanesque architecture, but its Pointed Arches and Rib-Vaulting were Gothic. Notre-Dame Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the Flying Buttress. The cathedral consists of a choir and apse, a short transcept ,and a nave flanked by double aisles. Notre-Dame, Paris Two massive early Gothic Towers crown the western façade. The cathedral’s three great rose-windows alone retain their 13th century stained glass. In the apse at the east end are large clerestory windows. Many small individually crafted statues were placed around the outside to serve as column supports and water sprouts, among these are famous gargoyles Notre-Dame, Paris References