The architectural innovations of the Romans were used for
large public buildings for centuries. In Europe, about 1150 CE, the Gothic architectural style began to develop.
The use of pointed arches appeared, rather than rounded
ones. The pointed arch is not semicircular, but rather it rises more steeply to a point at its top.
The height of a rounded arch is determined by its width, but
the height of a pointed arch can readily be extended by straightening the curves upwards into a point, with the weight of the ceiling descending much more directly down the wall.
Pointed arches produced an effect of amazing height and
space inside Gothic churches. Amiens Cathedral, France, begun 1220.
Look at the incredible sense of
height achieved by using the pointed arch. Pointed arches were primarily used in Gothic architecture, both in arcades, and in long complicated barrel vaults, as seen here. This type of vaulting in Gothic architecture is referred to as rib vaults. The need for flying buttresses…
All arches tend to spread outward, creating the risk
of collapse. Early on, Romans learned to support the sides of the arch to counteract this lateral thrust.
In the great French cathedrals, the support was
provided by building a series of arches on the outside of the building, whose thrusts would balance out and counteract the outward force of the large interior arches. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris, 1211-1290.
Look how the flying buttresses
support the outside Cathedral walls, but at the same time they appear light and delicate. They do not let the viewer focus on how heavy the stone is, because they do not appear bulky.
Flying buttresses also allow for more
windows to be used, because there is more open space on the outside walls. This results in stone churches, with stone roofs that have an incredible sense of light inside.