IIII to 11 GOTHIC

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

BUILDING ELEMENTS

Gothic architecture integrated sculpture, painting, and stained glass.
• Sculptural Subjects
• Christ.
• The Virgin Mary.
• Saints.
• Angels.
• Biblical kings and prophets.
• Gargoyles.

carved stone figures

carved stone figures
served two purposes:

MATERIALS

VIII. ENGINEERING INNOVATIONS

also called lancettes, distinguished by pointed arches and geometric traceried windows

called rayonnant, characterized by circular windows with wheel tracery

flamboyant , flame like window tracery or free-flowing tracery

MAJOR EXAMPLES OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Location: Paris, France
• Construction began in 1163.
Features:
• Flying buttresses.
• Rose windows.
• Ribbed vaults.
• Twin towers.
• Sculptural façades.
It became one of the most influential Gothic cathedrals in Europe

renowned for its remarkable stained glass
and harmonious design
• Location: Chartres, France
Known for:
• Exceptional stained glass.
• Well-preserved sculptures.
• Labyrinth in the nave floor.
• Innovative flying buttresses.
Many of its original stained-glass windows survive today

one of the tallest complete Gothic
cathedrals in France.
• Location: Amiens, France
The largest Gothic cathedral in France.
Features:
• Vaults reaching approximately 42 meters.
• Extensive sculpture.
• Remarkable verticality

• Location: Reims, France
The traditional coronation
church of French kings.
Known for:
• Elaborate façade.
• Sculptural
programs.
• Elegant
proportions.

Location: Cologne, Germany
One of the tallest cathedrals in
the world.
Features:
• Twin spires.
• Monumental scale.
• Gothic detailing.
Construction spanned more
than six centuries

gothic in england
includes the raising of most of major romanesque churches and castles

pointed arches in Romanesque structures

Equivalent to High Gothic in France, also called lancet or first pointed style from long narrow pointed windows

window tracery is geometrical in form and later flowing tracery paterns and curvilinear surface pattern, also called second pointed equivalent to french flamboyant style

also called rectilinear or third pointed

increasing application of renaissance detail

Renaissance ideas take strong hold

complex of church royal palace and burial grounds. Most important medieval bulding in britain. Widest 32 m and highest england 102 ft

famous for its
stunning
collection of
Stained glass

--------------is a
famous 13th century
Gothic church in Wiltshire,
England. It has the tallest spire-----------------

was slain
inside the cathedral
by knights of King
Henry II in
December 1170

a massive Gothic
catholic church in Germany,
Famous for its 157-meter twin spires.

Strong Moorish influences: the use of
horseshoe arches and rich surface
decoration of intricate geometrical
and flowing patterns
• Churches had flat exterior
appearance, due to chapels inserted
between buttresses

Largest Medieval church in Europe
• •Second largest church in the world, next to St. Peter's,Rome

gothic architecture in spain

It is one of the largest cathedrals in Spain in size and its bell
tower, at 92 meters high, is also one of the tallest.

First major Spanish Gothic building modeled after French Gothic
cathedrals.
Features iconic open-work spires added by the Colonia family in
the 15th century.

Led the way in Europe, in terms of art, learning and commerce
• Cultural revival was taking place in Italy in advance of northern Europe
• Roman tradition remained strong
• This arrested the development of Gothic architecture in Italy
• Verticality of Gothic is generally neutralized by horizontal cornices and string
courses
• Absence of pinnacles and flying buttresses
• Small windows without tracery
• Projecting entrance porches with columns on lion-like beasts

• Florence Cathedral or S. Maria del Fiore
• • Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio
• • Essentially Italian in character, without the vertical
• features of Gothic
• • Peculiar latin cross plan with campanile and baptistery

Milan Cathedral
• Largest Medieval cathedral in Italy
• 3rd largest cathedral in Europe

The cathedral was designed and built between 1215 and 1263
on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross
with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower

• One of most stupendous undertakings since
the building of the Pisa cathedral
• Outcome of civic pride - all artists in Siena
contributed their works to its building and
adornment
• Cruciform plan
• Zebra marble striping on wall and pier

Irregular in plan
• Most beautiful and poetic of all
Spanish cathedrals

other building types

Erected by new and wealthy trading families
• Parts:
• great hall, room with solar room, chapel,
latrine chamber,
• service rooms, kitchens, central hearth
• Later, in Tudor Manor Houses
• increased rooms, quadrangular court, battlement
• parapets, and gateways, chimneys, buttery (butler’s
• pantry), oven, pantry, serving area and storage,
larder
• (food storage), wardrobe, oratory-study, private
chapel
• with altar and crucifix, scullery, brew house

• Height
• Light
• Rose Window
• Cross-Shaped Plan
• Gargoyles

Represents closeness to God

Represents divine wisdom and grace.

Represents heaven and eternity.

Represents the crucifixion of Christ.

Represent the triumph of good over evil while protecting the building
from rainwater.

Gothic architecture influenced:
• Ecclesiastical architecture throughout Europe.
• University buildings.
• Town halls.
• Revival styles of the 19th century (Neo-Gothic).
Modern structural engineering also benefits from Gothic
principles of load distribution.