Gothic Architecture Lecture PDF

History of Architecture and Arts- I 2024-2025 Gothic Architecture Gothic architecture: is a style that flourished in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Orig...

History of Architecture and Arts- I 2024-2025 Gothic Architecture Gothic architecture: is a style that flourished in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Originating in 12th-century France, it was widely used, especially for cathedrals and churches, until the 16th century. Characteristics of Gothic Architecture Pointed arch: The arch could not only support greater weights but could also span greater distances, allowing vaults to be taller and wider. The ribbed vault. The flying buttress. Big glass area. Sainted glass and rose window. The walls do not bear loads. More Decoration (ornamental and animals sculptures) Gargoyles The walls are thinner because the weight of the roof was supported by the arches. Cross Section of Medieval Pillars Lecturer: Nouf Albarrak 2024-2025 Groin Gothic Vault The ribbed vaults came as a solution for the weakness of the normal groin vaults. The Quadripartite vault Six-partite vault: six-part vault is a rib vault divided into six bays by two diagonal ribs and three transverse ribs. Gargoyles provided a way to spew out thin streams of water away from the cathedral. Flying buttresses Due to the Buttresses, the outer walls became thinner and did not bear loads. Opening got bigger and the lighting of the churches was better. To make more weight on the buttresses PINNACLES were constructed on the top of the Buttresses. Lecturer: Nouf Albarrak 2024-2025 WINDOWS Lecturer: Nouf Albarrak 2024-2025 FACADES vertical elements horizontal elements CHURCHES IN THE MEDIEVAL Many apses Roman Corinthian order Adding a side hall to the western side of some churches Tombs under the apses. Bell’s towers Ornamentations, sculptures with religious meanings. Examples 1-St Denis, France. 1144 AD Shows the first use of all of the elements of Gothic architecture. Choir or Apse – seats for priests and singing choir. Function: Religious gathering, burial of kings. Structurally is a transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Cross-shaped building. Central nave, aisles on both sides, clerestory windows Entry portico on the west, or narthex has a tower and a rose window. Apse is semi-circular, surrounded by ambulatory, and nine smaller circular chapels. Extensions by architect Abbot Sugar. Built on the existing chapel and basement, so complex pointed ribbed vaults and ‘flying buttress’ were needed for the walls and roofs as additional support. Lecturer: Nouf Albarrak 2024-2025 2- Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. 1163 AD Transept is almost flushed with the south and north facades. Galleries above the inner aisles columns are not very decorative. Clerestory windows, lightness of the form create a superb Gothic effect. Lecturer: Nouf Albarrak 2024-2025  Verticality of interior space. Flying buttresses Massive blocks of masonry support that stick out from exterior facade, over the aisles, between the clerestory windows. Act as supports in the critical spots. West facade Pointed arch Ribbed groin vaulting Six-part vaulting Clerestory window Stained glass Last judgement (Central portal), West facade sculpture Lecturer: Nouf Albarrak 2024-2025 3- Chartres Cathedral, France. 1145-1220 Masterpiece of High Gothic style. Impressive nave Galleries much smaller. Nave arcades are taller and narrower. Nave vaults are of 4 parts The building's exterior is dominated by heavy flying buttresses the west end is dominated by two contrasting spires Lecturer: Nouf Albarrak 2024-2025