History and Theory Review

The wedge-shaped or tapered stone used to construct an arch is called:

voussoir

The Plan of Saint Gall, discovered in the 9^th century, was a (an):

ideal plan of a Benedictine monastic compound

The central open space in a Romanesque monastery is called a:

cloister

In Islamic architecture, the qibla refers to:

direction Muslims face during prayer

Which of the following statements about muqarnas is INCORRECT?

Muqarnas is a form of decorative vaulting used to transition between architectural elements.

Muqarnas is commonly found in domes, arches, and corbels.

The design is based on interlocking geometric and honeycomb-like patterns.

Muqarnas structures are always purely decorative and have no structural function.

Muqarnas structures are always purely decorative and have no structural function.

What is this type of arch called?

horseshoe arch

Which of the following architectural element was NOT among the ones added or used when Hagia Sophia in Istanbul functioned as a mosque?

Large stained-glass rose windows

Which architectural feature is most distinctive in the interior of the Great Mosque of Córdoba in Córdoba, Spain?

A forest of double-tiered arches supported by columns

Which feature best characterizes the architectural style of the Alhambra palace complex in Granada, Spain?

Extensive use of carved stucco decoration and geometric patterns

What does the root word of "cathedral," cathedra, refer to

the bishop's seat or throne

The semi-circular decorative wall surface over an entrance is called:

tympanum

In Gothic architecture, columns in the nave changed from round to:

polygonal

The major structural features of Gothic cathedrals do NOT include?

theory of light

Abbot Suger's surgical modifications of the St. Denis Cathedral involved its?

all of the above (chevet, three-entrance portals, rose window)

How did scholasticism influence the development of Gothic architecture?

By emphasizing logical order, clarity, and systematic organization in architectural design

Which feature is most characteristic of British Gothic architecture, particularly in its later Perpendicular phase?

Strong vertical lines with large rectangular windows filled with intricate tracery

Which statement best describes the variation of ribbed vaulting in Gothic architecture?

Variations such as sexpartite, tierceron, and lierne vaults introduce additional ribs for structural and decorative complexity

Which combination of features most defines the interior space of Gothic architecture?

Strong verticality, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and abundant stained glass creating luminous interiors

Victor Hugo’s statement “This will kill that” (from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) reflects his concern about the relationship between literature and architecture. How does this idea relate specifically to Notre-Dame Cathedral?

It argues that printed books would replace architecture—such as Notre-Dame—as the primary medium for expressing cultural and religious ideas.

How were the foundations of buildings traditionally constructed in the city of Venice?

by driving wooden piles into the muddy lagoon floor, which solidified over time

What is the name of this Venetian building?

Doge's Palace

What is the semi-outdoor space on the top of this building called:

loggia

The building types emerged in 13th-century Italy include?

town hall

The façade of the Ca' d'Oro is best characterized by which compositional principle?

An open, lace-like syncopated arrangement of loggias and tracery emphasizing lightness

In Gothic architecture, the tracery pattern seen in façades such as the Ca' d'Oro is most commonly characterized by which geometric motif?

Circular and lobed forms such as quatrefoils

The Allegory of Good and Bad Government frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in Siena primarily serve what purpose?

To illustrate the moral and civic consequences of good versus bad governance

In medieval Italian city-states such as San Gimignano and Bologna, what was the primary purpose of the tall family towers?

To symbolize family wealth and power while also providing defense

The spatial quality of Piazza San Marco is best described by which characteristic?

A dynamic, processional space that unfolds through shifting axes and framed vistas

In the building practice of Venice, which factor most strongly shaped how architects and builders designed and constructed buildings?

The lagoon environment requiring pile foundations and lightweight structures

Which of these does NOT apply when discussing the dome of the Florence Cathedral? (external buttresses, lantern or cupola, double dome, herringbone pattern of brickwork)

external buttresses

The architect who designed and built the dome of the Florence Cathedral was

Filippo Brunelleschi

The cultural rebirth occurred in Europe from roughly 13^th century through the mid-17^th century was based on the rediscovery of the cultures of:

Greece and Rome

What architectural style was FALSELY believed to be associated with this building by Florentines in the 15th century?

Antiquity Roman

Which of the following best reflects an important aspect of professional practice demonstrated during the construction of the Florence Cathedral dome?

The architect developed new engineering techniques and tools to solve unprecedented structural challenges

Which of the following best describes a key feature of the interior of the Florence Cathedral?

It has a relatively plain and spacious nave that emphasizes geometric proportion and structural components

In Renaissance architecture, particularly in buildings by Filippo Brunelleschi, what is the primary purpose of using pietra serena?

To highlight architectural elements through a contrasting gray stone against lighter surfaces

How does Apple Inc. incorporate materials like pietra serena in its Apple Store designs?

By applying it as a visible surface material to create a minimalist, refined, and tactile customer environment

Which of the following best describes a key interior feature of the Old Sacristy designed by Filippo Brunelleschi at Basilica of San Lorenzo?

A centralized space emphasizing geometric harmony

In what way did the Florence Baptistery serve as a model for the Florence Cathedral?

Its octagonal geometry and proportional clarity influenced the cathedral's design

The palazzo building type in the Renaissance can be found in:

urban city center

This Renaissance building is:

Palazzo Rucellai

Who was the architect of Palazzo Rucellai:

Leo Battista Alberti

The aim of Brunelleschi's experiment shown in the drawing was?

to test his perspective theory

The prototype of the monumental palatial building built by prominent family in Renaissance Italy is:

palazzo

In architectural design, what does the term “enfilade” refer to?

a series of rooms aligned along a single axis, with doorways creating a straight visual line

In the loggia of the Ospedale degli Innocenti, which feature most clearly demonstrates the use of a modular proportional system?

The consistent spacing between columns equal to their height

How does the design of the Ospedale degli Innocenti best express Renaissance humanist ideals under Filippo Brunelleschi?

By using harmonious proportions and child-centered imagery that reflect human dignity and social care

Which feature of the Pazzi Chapel best demonstrates Renaissance humanist ideals in architecture?

Clear geometric proportions and harmonious use of classical elements

In Edmund N. Bacon’s Design of Cities, what does the “principle of the second man” emphasize in urban design?

The responsibility of later generations to preserve, adapt, or transform earlier urban creations

Based on Edmund N. Bacon’s description of a “Renaissance ordering of the space of a medieval square” in Design of Cities, what does the “imposition of order” primarily refer to?

The use of sculpture and spatial points to organize and structure perception within an existing irregular square

Which design feature of the Pazzi Chapel most clearly demonstrates Filippo Brunelleschi’s use of geometric order in Renaissance architecture?

The central space organized by a cube supporting a hemispherical dome

In De pictura, what does Leon Battista Alberti mean by describing a painting as an “open window”?

A painting should be treated as a transparent plane through which a constructed spatial scene is viewed

What is the key architectural innovation in the façade designed by Leon Battista Alberti for Santa Maria Novella?

The integration of classical Renaissance proportions with pre-existing medieval structure

Which of the following best describes Michelangelo’s design innovation in the vestibule of the Laurentian Library in Florence?

He created a dynamic staircase and embedded columns into the walls, challenging traditional architectural rules.

Which of the following is a similarity between Michelangelo’s dome for St. Peter’s Basilica and Brunelleschi’s dome for Florence’s Duomo?

All of the above (Both were built using a double-shell structure, both were using chains to stave off subsequent cracking and counteract the lateral thrust, both were using ribs as the skeleton of the dome)

What are the main features of Michelangelo's design for the rear side of St Peter's Basilica? (select two) (smooth surfaces, simply geometry, thicken the wall behind the apse, colossal orders for paired pilasters)

Colossal orders for paired pilasters, thicken the wall behind the apse

Which of the following best describes the artistic style known as Mannerism?

An exaggerated style characterized by elongated figures, unusual proportions, and complex compositions

Who designed the Tempietto at St Pietro in Montroio in Rome?

Donato Bramante

What is the primary architectural significance of the Tempietto?

It exemplifies the ideals of High Renaissance classicism

In art and architectural history, what does the term Cinquecento refer to?

The 1500s, associated with the High Renaissance in Italy

In art and architectural history, what does the term Quattrocento refer to?

The 1400s and the early development of Renaissance art

n Pietà by Michelangelo, why is the Virgin Mary depicted with a proportionally larger body than Christ?

To emphasize her symbolic role as a spiritual and emotional "container" for Christ

In the interior design of the New Sacristy (Medici Chapel) by Michelangelo, through what method did he create a visual illusion of increased height and spiritual elevation?

By employing tapering architectural rhythms, vertical emphasis, and compressed wall articulation that draw the eye upward