Week Six - Gothic

    By 1250, the Gothic style began being formed. French Gothic churches were being built and became a large part of the national rise of architectural expression. Gothic cathedrals were also a large part of this and are known for being one of the high points in the history of architecture. Gothic architecture spread across Europe very quickly. This style of architecture is very important because it strayed from the classical orders. It was its own entire architectural system including plans, sections, facades, and other important details. Gothic Architecture was the last style of the medieval period, before the Renaissance. Although it was an independent architectural system, it also functions as a bridge between the Romanesque and Renaissance periods. Gothic Architecture is unique, but also largely derived from the Romanesque period. Many of the design pieces used in Gothic architecture are seen in the Romanesque period, such as stained glass and ribbed vaults. The Gothic period showed a time when religion was at the forefront of most people’s lives.

Duomo di Milano (gothic cathedral in Milan, Italy)

Gothic Cathedrals

   Paris was the center of the Gothic world and churches were the center of city life. As the construction of cathedrals began, competition also came with it. The cathedral designs and most Gothic design was heavily influenced by religion. The Popes and churches at this time had great wealth and power. With the large growth of the members of the church, the buildings also had to grow in size. Cathedrals were supposed to transcend the earthly experience. They rose high into the sky and were filled with stained glass windows. 

Gothic Cathedral Arched Ceilings

   The basic floor plan and structure of the Gothic cathedrals were similar to the Romanesque period. They were made with mainly vertical lines to suggest skyscrapers. They had high vaults which was a newer concept and required advanced construction. They also contained rib vaulting, pointed arches rather than rounded, and flying buttresses. A flying buttress is a masonry structure composed of an arch that reaches up and connects to a higher point of architecture. They were often used to support a heavy structure such as a large roof or dome. They were used quite frequently in Gothic cathedrals. 

Flying Buttresses on a Gothic Cathedral

Gothic Furniture

   Gothic chairs were very different from previous chairs. Before the Gothic period, the quality and design of a chair were largely based on who was going to be using the chair. Thrones and chairs for more important people were usually made with much more elegant materials and had more time-consuming and precise workmanship. Gothic furniture on the other hand was the same fashion, no matter who would be using it. The only difference would be the height of the chair. Gothic furniture designers inherited a stress on the height of designs. The more important or higher-status people sat on taller pieces of furniture to exaggerate their higher presence in the space. 

Gothic Chairs

Current Example of a Gothic Chair

   Furniture was very scarce during the Gothic period and often served many purposes. Chairs often had a storage compartment in them, which supported the seat. The furniture was also used most for visual effect rather than comfort. A cushion could sometimes, but added but wasn’t used as often because it could draw attention from the visual effect of the piece. Gothic chairs were scarcely used during this period, as most people sat on benches or stools that were less elaborate. The X-frame stool was used very often in the Gothic period. They were very similar to the X-frame stools seen in ancient Rome. There were various kinds on many different continents. The Gothic furniture designers made the X-frame stools take the typical form and dress of Gothic detailing to set them apart. 

Current Example of an X-frame Stool

   One thing that I think became very popular in the Gothic period which can still be seen today is vaulted ceilings. The high vaulted ceilings were a very important part of the Gothic cathedrals. They exaggerated the height of the ceilings to show the greatness of the building. Although the ceilings in most houses and buildings today aren’t near the height of the Gothic cathedrals, there are still many examples of vaulted ceilings today. The concept of high vaulted ceilings has become more and more popular in recent years. It’s a concept that I really love. Many homes today contain vaulted ceilings with large windows. I think this is a great way that Gothic architecture has impacted architecture today.

Current Example of Vaulted Ceilings

One Step Further:

   Renzo Piano is an Italian architect. He was born on September 14, 1937. He was born and raised in Genoa, Italy. His whole family were builders and had a masonry business that supplied materials during World War II. Renzo first studied engineering at the University of Genoa, but later studied architecture at the University of Florence and Polytechnic University of Milan. He then taught at the Polytechnic University for four years before working in two firms to expand his knowledge. He is known for his very lightweight structures and use of steel and reinforced polyester. Some of his most famous works were the Centre Georges Pompidou, The Shard, Istanbul Modern, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. He has designed in many different countries and won awards including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1998. Renzo has been a Senator of Life in the Italian Senate since 2013.

Extra Links:

-Gothic Architecture Overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrdkL7Y8Who

-Gothic Cathedrals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiX2amY7G-I