2.3 PRES Renaissance Europe

Renaissance Europe

Overview of Shifts in Design and Architecture

• Transition from Medieval to Renaissance Architecture

  • Shift emerges from fortress-like castles to heavily decorated Gothic forms.

  • Art becomes prominent in city design and architecture.

  • Integration of art, science, math, and engineering.

  • Example: Renaissance-era Florence, Italy.

Michelangelo's Statue of David

• Artistic Detail and Anatomy

  • High detail in anatomy (bone structure, veins, tissue).

  • Represents the blending of art and science, distinguishing the Renaissance from the Medieval period.

Key Ideas in Renaissance City Planning

• Renaissance City Planning Elements

  • Integration of art and science in city planning.

  • Shift from organic, defense-driven medieval plans to systematic planning.

  • Key Features:

    • Water systems.

    • Adaptive reuse of existing structures.

    • Focus on cathedrals and palaces.

    • Emphasis on four points of Renaissance design.

Changes in City Walls Due to Gunpowder

• Impact of Gunpowder on City Defense

  • Gunpowder introduced by trade from China altered warfare.

  • Traditional walls became vulnerable to cannon fire (e.g. flat surfaces crumbling under impact).

  • Renaissance walls adapted to have angled structures to deflect cannonballs.

• Warfare Shift to Battlefields

  • Movement of warfare from cities to open battlefields.

  • Introduction of triangular towers providing a star-shaped appearance in city walls.

City Layouts: Within the Wall

• Return to the Grid Plan

  • Renaissance planners returned to the grid format, but with artistic enhancements.

• Radial Plan Introduction

  • Streets radiate from a central plaza, creating a hub and spoke layout.

  • Central hubs used for significant functions, reflecting urban planning ideas seen in Roman times.

Vistas and Visual Perspectives

• Creating Visual Frames

  • Vistas used to direct attention toward focal points (e.g., statues, grand buildings).

  • Importance of aligning trees and structures to enhance aesthetics.

Detailed Principles of Renaissance Architecture

• Four Points of Renaissance Architecture

  1. High Style

     • Unique custom designs reflecting owner's tastes, using high-quality materials.

  2. Classicism/Humanism

     • Integration of Greek and Roman architectural elements in design.

     • Use of classical columns, pediments, and colonnades.

  3. Symmetry and the Golden Mean

     • Design balance using the Golden Ratio to achieve aesthetic harmony.

  4. Recession Plane

     • Concept of visual dimensions; understanding how depth increases appreciation of structure.

Cathedrals in the Renaissance

• Dramatic Shifts from Gothic to Renaissance Forms

  • Emergence of solid masonry walls replacing buttresses; emphasis on domes over spires.

  • Introduction of the ribbed dome system, which added structural support and aesthetic appeal.

Adaptive Reuse of Historical Structures

• Revitalization through Adaptive Reuse

  • Process of modernizing old buildings for contemporary use.

  • Example: Pantheon’s transformation from a Roman temple to a Catholic church.

• Impacts of Adaptive Reuse

  • Helped preserve significant historical architecture while meeting current needs of society.

Residences and Urban Housing in Renaissance

• Shifts in Urban Housing

  • Upper classes began using brick and stone, incorporating decorative classical ornamentation.

  • Class distinctions visible in construction methods and architectural styles.

Water Systems of the Renaissance

• Water Supply Challenges

  • Cities still utilized unfiltered water sources, leading to health issues.

  • Wealthy households had access to direct supplies while poorer residents relied on public fountains.

• Waste Disposal Issues

  • Most cities relied on rudimentary waste management techniques, often with waste ending in cesspools.

Conclusion

• The Renaissance as a Transition to Modern Era

  • Blending art, science, and engineering characterized Renaissance urban design.

  • Architectural styles influenced future American designs as cities progressed from colonial status to nationhood.