gothic architecture

1. Gothic ArchitectureGothic Architecture
Gothic ArchitectureGothic Architecture

2. Tree of ArchitectureTree of Architecture

3. Gothic ArchitectureGothic Architecture

4. 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.

5. Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500
What did it look like outside?
Gothic architecture outside
1. Pointed arches
2. very linear
3. Tall and slender in appearance
4. Very decorative
The overall pointed look was for
the church to appear that it
pointing towards God and the
Heavens.
1
2
4

6. Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500
What are its characteristics outside?
A. Pointed arches
Unlike the Romanesque style, these arches are pointed. They point up towards
the Heavens, as does the whole appearance of Gothic architecture.
B. Flying buttresses
These were attached to the outside
walls 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.

7. Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500
What did it look like inside?
Gothic architecture inside
Bright and airy
High ceilings
Very decorative
Lots of windows
Stained glassed windows.
Pointed arches.
Vertical and slender in appearance.
What are its characteristics inside?
Ribbed vaults
Pointed arches

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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,

13. 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

14. Pointed ArchPointed Arch
It is simply known asIt is simply known as
the Gothic Arch andthe Gothic Arch and
was reconstructed fromwas reconstructed from
cylindrical vault ofcylindrical vault of
Roman architecture.Roman architecture.
There are four stones atThere are four stones at
the end of the archthe end of the arch
supporting the powersupporting the power
from the top so that thefrom the top so that the
height and the span ofheight and the span of
the arch are no longerthe arch are no longer
restricted and the archrestricted and the arch
can be made as largecan be made as large
and high as possible.and high as possible.

15. Flying ButtressFlying Buttress
Buttress, also known as kongfuduo, is aButtress, also known as kongfuduo, is a
supporting facility to share the pressure fromsupporting facility to share the pressure from
the main walls. It has been largely used inthe main walls. It has been largely used in
Roman Architecture. The original buttressRoman 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 outthe buttress with Gothic style is exposed out
to be known as flying buttress. Due to theto be known as flying buttress. Due to the
further requirements of the height, the rolefurther requirements of the height, the role
and appearance of buttress have been greatlyand appearance of buttress have been greatly
enhanced. It is coved with complicatedenhanced. It is coved with complicated
decorates and elaborate carvings.decorates and elaborate carvings.

16. Stained GlassStained Glass
Gothic architecture gradually abolishesGothic architecture gradually abolishes
the gallery and aisle and increases thethe gallery and aisle and increases the
size of the window. These windowssize of the window. These windows
are high enough, almost to be used asare high enough, almost to be used as
the walls. The stained glass, coveredthe walls. The stained glass, covered
with religious stories which help towith religious stories which help to
illustrate the doctrines to illiterateillustrate the doctrines to illiterate
people is of high artistic achievement.people is of high artistic achievement.
There are two main colors, blue andThere are two main colors, blue and
red. Blue symbolizes the heaven andred. Blue symbolizes the heaven and
red symbolizes the blood of Christ.red symbolizes the blood of Christ.
The stained glass creates a mysteriousThe stained glass creates a mysterious
but brilliant scene, which expressbut brilliant scene, which express
people’s longing for the kingdom ofpeople’s longing for the kingdom of
heaven.heaven.

17. Beam-ColumnBeam-Column
 Many columns, no longer simple round, come together andMany columns, no longer simple round, come together and
emphasize the vertical lines, which makes the wholeemphasize the vertical lines, which makes the whole
architecture to form an organic whole with simple lines andarchitecture to form an organic whole with simple lines and
grand appearance.grand appearance.

18.  French Gothic architectureFrench Gothic architecture
 English Gothic architectureEnglish Gothic architecture
 Germany architectureGermany architecture
 Spanish architectureSpanish architecture
 Italian architectureItalian architecture
Regional DifferencesRegional Differences

19.  HeightHeight
 Impression ofImpression of
verticalityverticality
 Two large towersTwo large towers

20. Gothic Architecture

21.  Extreme lengthExtreme length
 External emphasis upon the horizontalExternal emphasis upon the horizontal
 Double transeptsDouble transepts

22.  Huge sizeHuge size
 Modular natureModular nature
 OpennessOpenness

23. Stoned Architecture

24.  Special complexitySpecial complexity
 Tall arcadesTall arcades
 Low clerestoriesLow clerestories

25.  PolychromePolychrome
decorationdecoration
 Few and widelyFew and widely
spaced columnsspaced columns
 Simple proportionsSimple proportions

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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.