RENAISSANCE

ARCHITECTURE
IN EUROPE
ARCHITECTURAL
TERMINOLOGIES
Terminology:
● The Tuscan order is in effect a simplified Doric order,
with unfluted columns and a simpler entablature with
no triglyphs or guttae.
Terminology:
● The Doric order recognized by the simple circular
capitals at the top of columns. was fluted or smooth-
surfaced, and had no base, dropping straight into the
stylobate
Terminology:
● The Ionic order is characterized by the use of volutes.
Terminology:
● Corinthian order - the most ornate of the three main
orders of a classical Greek architecture, characterized by a
slender fluted column having an ornate flared capital
decorated with acanthus leaves.
Terminology:
● The Composite order is a mixed order, combining the
volutes of the Ionic order capital with the acanthus
leaves of the Corinthian order.
Terminology:
● Volute - the spiral scroll-shaped ornament forming the
chief feature of the Ionic capital.
Terminology:
● Cathetus – the vertical guideline through the eye of a
volute in an Ionic capital, from which the spiral form is
determined.
Terminology:
● Plinth – the base or platform upon which a column rests.
Terminology:
● Palazzo – A large, splendid residence or public building,
such as a palace or museum.
Terminology:
● Niche - a shallow recess, especially one in a wall to
display a statue or other ornament.
Terminology:
● Pediment - the triangular upper part of the front of a
building, typically surmounting a portico of columns.
Terminology:
● Aedicule - an opening such as a door or a window,
framed by columns on either side, and a pediment above.
Terminology:
● Cornice – an ornamental molding around the wall of a
room just below the ceiling.
Terminology:
● Modillion – an ornamental bracket, usually in the form of
a scroll with acanthus, used in series beneath the corona of
a Corinthian, Composite, or Roman Ionic cornice.
Terminology:
● Acanthus – an ornament, such as on the Corinthian
capital, patterned after the large, toothed leaves of a
Mediterranean plant of the same name.
Terminology:
● Helix – a spiral ornament, such as any of the volutes
issuing from a cauliculus in a Corinthian capital.
Terminology:
● Cauliculus – any of the ornamental stalks rising between
the acanthus leaves of a Corinthian capital, from which
the volutes spring. Also called caulcole.
Terminology:
● Quoins – a large convex, semicircular molding,
commonly found directly above the plinth of the base of
a classical column.
Terminology:
● Quatrefoil – an ornamental design of four lobes or leaves
as used in architectural tracery, resembling a flower or
four-leaf clover.
 Renaissance style places emphasis on
symmetry,
proportion, geometry and the regularity
of parts as
they are demonstrated in the
architecture of classical
antiquity and in particular ancient
Roman architecture,
of which many examples remained.
 CHARACTERISTICS
PLAN
 Have a square, symmetrical
appearance in which proportions are
usually based on a module.
 Within a church, the module is often
the width of an aisle.
 CHARACTERISTICS
FACADE
 Symmetrical around their vertical
axis.
 Church façades are generally
surmounted by a pediment and
organized by a system of pilasters,
arches and entablatures.
The columns and windows show a
progression towards the centre.
 Sant'Agostino, Rome, San Giorgio Maggiore,
Giacomo di Pietrasanta, Venice
1483
 CHARACTERISTICS
COLUMNS AND PILASTERS
 The Roman orders of columns are
used: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and
Composite.
Architects aimed to use columns,
pilasters, and entablatures as an
integrated system.
 Roman orders of
columns

Italian Renaissance
The Sagrestia Vecchia,
Sansovino Wood
or Old Sacristy,
Pilaster Capital
 CHARACTERISTICS
ARCHES
 Arches are semi-circular or (in the
Mannerist style) segmental.
Arches are often used in arcades,
supported on piers or columns with
capitals.
 CHARACTERISTICS
VAULTS
Vaults do not have ribs.
They are semi-circular or segmental
and on a square plan, unlike the
Gothic vault which is frequently
rectangular.
Barrel Vault

Renaissance groin vault

loggia of the Theresian
Monastery

Seville Cathedral:
Renaissance Vault.
 CHARACTERISTICS
DOMES
The dome is used frequently, both
as a very large structural feature that
is visible from the exterior, and also as
a means of roofing smaller spaces
where they are only visible internally.
Dome and Latern of Florence
Cathedral

"Tempietto" (1502), by
Donato Bramante - San
Pietro in Montorio

Saint Peter's Basilica

 CHARACTERISTICS
RUSTICATION
A popular decorative treatment of
the Renaissance palazzo was
rustication, in which a masonry wall is
textured rather than smooth.
THE GREATEST
ARCHITECTS
QUANTROCENTRO