CM1_HOA2_Gothic-Architecture

Gothic Architecture Overview

• Course Module 1: Gothic Architecture

  • Instructor: Ar. Kathleen N. Bescaser, UAP

  • Faculty, BSArch

Influences on Gothic Architecture

Geographical Influence

• Originated in Northern France during the 12th century.

• Spread throughout Western Europe, including England, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

• England was centralized under Norman Kings, impacting architectural styles.

Geological Influence

• Building materials varied by country due to regional geology.

Climatic Influence

• Northern Europe’s sun favored Gothic architecture over classical styles.

• Snow led to high-pitched roofs typical in Gothic structures.

Religious Influence

• Patrons like higher clergy and powerful Popes influenced the development.

• Emergence of chapels and chantry chapels dedicated to saints and the dead.

Historical Influence

• Draws from Romanesque, Byzantine, and Middle Eastern architectures.

• Retained features such as the western façade entry and cruciform plans from Romanesque.

• Introduced flying buttresses from Byzantine designs.

Periods of Development

Early Gothic

• Characterized by verticality with pointed arches allowing vaulted ceilings.

• Example: Basilica of Saint-Denis, modeled Gothic architecture's spread.

• Sculpture decorations with religious and secular themes on tympanum.

High Gothic (1200-1280)

• Developed greater verticality through spires and pinnacles.

• Features large rose windows and traceries for aesthetic embellishments.

• Notable structures include Chartres Cathedral, Amiens Cathedral, and Notre Dame de Paris.

• Substyles: Rayonnant and Flamboyant, continuing into the 1500s.

International Gothic

• A decorative style in manuscripts, tapestries, and architecture emerging around 1375.

• Known for elegance, delicate details, and smooth forms.

Architectural Characteristics

General Features

• Lofty & aspiring quality with structural honesty.

• Economy in the use of materials.

Distinctive Features

• Pointed arch, flying buttress, rib and panel vaulting.

• Stained glass and tracery windows enhance luminosity.

• Spires and pinnacles contributing to vertical emphasis.

Construction System

• Utilizes arches and vaults, typically rib and panel styles.

Comparative Analysis

Church Plans

• Oblong bays with rib & panel vaulting or open timber roofs.

• Plans prioritized convenience over symmetry, often featuring two western towers.

Wall Construction

• Combination of small stones and masonry techniques.

• Ruins often used rubble or flint, with pointed arches.

Window Styles

1. Lancet - pointed arches, geometric tracery.

2. Rayonnant - wider arches for circular windows.

3. Flamboyant - decorative flame-like tracery.

Specific Gothic Structures

English Gothic

• Characterized by pointed arches in vaults and intricate designs in roofs.

  • Types: Fan vault, Trussed rafter roofs, and Tie-beam roofs.

French Gothic

• Noteworthy cathedrals include:

  • Canterbury Cathedral: Double transept; introduced by Archbishop LanFranc.

  • Notre Dame in Paris: Influential in classic Gothic features; restored by Viollet-le-Duc.

  • Chartres Cathedral: Known for its towering design and stained-glass windows.

German Gothic

• Notable structures such as Cologne Cathedral and Limburg Cathedral embody the style’s grandeur.

Italian Gothic

• Milan Cathedral and Florence Cathedral showcase regional adaptations.

Spanish Gothic

• Seville Cathedral holds the title of the largest medieval cathedral in Europe.

Key Terminologies in Gothic Architecture

• Bailey: Open space of a castle.

• Cloisters: Covered passageways connecting monastic areas.

• Flying Buttress: Structure alleviating roof stresses; characteristic of Gothic style.

• Gargoyle: Water spouts designed in fantastical shapes.

• Tracery: Decorative work in windows.

Studies and References

• Glancey, Jonathan (2017). Architecture: A Visual History.

• Ching, Francis D.K. (2017). A Global History of Architecture.

• Pabón-Charneco, Arleen (2020). Architecture History, Theory and Preservation: Prehistory to the Middle Ages.