GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE
Presentation by Arch.
WABURIRI wycliffe,
Tutor, NIT
INTRODUCTION
|A style of architecture, particularly
associated with cathedrals
| Flourished in Europe beginning in
the 12th century
INTRODUCTION. CONT./
| The huge dimensions of the structure, were
intended to pass a theological message:
“the great glory of God
versus the smallness and
insignificance of the
mortal being”
CHARACTERISTICS
1. Emphasizes verticality
2. Skeletal stone structures with great
expanses off glass
l (stained-glass)
( t i d
3. Highly decorated with statues on the
outside and painting on the inside.
y Both usually told Biblical stories
CHARACTERISTICS. CONT./
4. Ribbed vaults
y Gothic vaulting over spaces both large and small is
usually
ll supported
t d by
b richly
i hl moulded ribs.
ib
5. Sharply pointed spires
Coutances Cathedral in France
Conservative 13th century Gothic in Provence::
Basilica of Mary Magdalene,
Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume.
6. Flying Buttresses
y used as a means of support to enable higher
ceilings and slender columns
Villard de Honnecourt's drawing of a
flying buttress at Reims, ca. AD 1320–1335
(Bibliothèque nationale)
7. Pointed arches
y introduced for both visual and
structural reasons:
y Visually, the verticality suggests an
aspiration to Heaven.
y Structurally, its use gives a greater
flexibility to Architectural form.
y the pointed arch channels the weight
onto the bearing piers or columns at a
steep angle.
angle
BUILDING EXAMPLES
Notre-Dame Cathedral seen from
the River Seine.
The cathedral in Amiens
Close-up of a stained glass window
Façade of Santa Eulàlia
Façade of the Notre-Dame de Reims
Notre Dame de Paris,
The interior of Notre
Western Façade.
Dame cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral Salisbury Cathdral; Plan
The North entrance of
Westminster Abbey
THANK YOU!
