Gothic Architecture

GCUF
SUBJECT: ARCHEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF

CIVILIZATION 4
TOPIC :GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE
SUBMITTED BY : GROUP 1
SUBMITTED TO : Ar. ABDUL MOEEZ KHAN
Gothic Architecture
Gothic Architecture
Tree of Architecture
Gothic Architecture
Gothic Architecture 12 Century – 16 Century
When?
Gothic Architecture began towards the end of Romanesque architecture.
It heralded many changes in design and appearance of churches, both
inside and out.
Why?
There was a need to progress in the development of building design. There
was a desire to reach perfection in the buildings and this perfection was to
resemble Gods relationship with the universe.
Where?
It began in France. By the end of the 12 Century it reached England and later
on the rest of Europe.
Gothic Architecture 1150 – 1500
What did it look like outside?
Gothic architecture outside

1. Pointed arches
2. very linear
3. Tall and slender in appearance 2
4. Very decorative
1
The overall pointed look was for

the church to appear that it
pointing towards God and the
Heavens. 4
What are its characteristics outside?
A. Pointed arches
Unlike the Romanesque style, these arches are pointed. They point up towards
the Heavens, as does the whole appearance of Gothic architecture.
B. Flying buttresses
These were attached to the outside
walls of the church. They gave extra support to the roof and the thinner walls. They took
the weight of the roof away from the walls.
What did it look like inside?
Gothic architecture inside
Bright and airy

High ceilings
Very decorative
Lots of windows
Stained glassed windows.
Pointed arches.
Vertical and slender in appearance.
What are its characteristics inside?

Ribbed vaults
Pointed arches
What are ribbed vaults?
“Ribs” were the extra support in the vaults. The roof and
support system consisted of ribbed vaults.
What were the results and effects of ribbed vaults?

a) They discovered that if they used ribs in their vaults
the ribs would support much of the weight of the roof.
The areas in between the ribs could be filled with
much lighter stone than that had been used in the
Romanesque barrel vaults.
b) If the ribs were capable of taking the weight of the roof

there was no need for thicker walls, therefore the walls
became thinner, another difference from the
Romanesque churches.
c) As there is not as much pressure on the walls to
support the roof (ribbed vaults and the flying
buttresses support the weight), there is an opportunity
of adding more windows. Therefore the churches
became brighter and airier.
d) Due to the support of the ribs and the buttresses

builders could afford to make the roof higher. Less
weight – less likely to collapse. Another difference
from Romanesque architecture.
The south transept facade at York Minster
The Devil tempting the Foolish Virgins at Strasbourg.
Windows in the Chapter House The longitudinal emphasis in the nave of Walls
at York Minster
Barcelona Cathedral has a wide nave with the clerestorey
The spacious interior of Regensburg Cathedral windows nestled under the vault.
The clear proportions of Florence Cathedral are A Gothic Revival library from Newburgh,
defined by dark stone against the colour-washed
plastered brick.
Characteristics of Gothic Architecture
Gothic architecture is characterized by tall

minarets pointed arches, large windows and
stained glass painted with Bible stories. And
the pointed arch, flying buttress and the long
beam-column create a sense of flying. The
majestic appearance the vast space in the
church and the long windows with stained glass
produce a strong religious atmosphere. The
plane of the church is based on the Latin cross,
but there is a pair of towers added on both sides
of the doors at west.
Pointed Arch
It is simply known as the Gothic

Arch and was reconstructed
from cylindrical vault of Roman
architecture. There are four
stones at the end of the arch
supporting the power from the
top so that the height and the
span of the arch are no longer
restricted and the arch can be
made as large and high as
possible.
Flying Buttress
Buttress, also known as kongfuduo, is a
supporting facility to share the pressure from
the main walls. It has been largely used in
Roman Architecture. The original buttress
was solid and covered by the roof. However,
the buttress with Gothic style is exposed out
to be known as flying buttress. Due to the
further requirements of the height, the role
and appearance of buttress have been greatly
enhanced. It is coved with complicated
decorates and elaborate carvings.
Stained Glass
Gothic architecture gradually abolishes the
gallery and aisle and increases the size of the
window. These windows are high enough,
almost to be used as the walls. The stained
glass, covered with religious stories which help
to illustrate the doctrines to illiterate people is
of high artistic achievement. There are two
main colors, blue and red. Blue symbolizes the
heaven and red symbolizes the blood of Christ.
The stained glass creates a mysterious but
brilliant scene, which express people’s longing
for the kingdom of heaven.
Beam-Column
Many columns, no longer simple round, come together and

emphasize the vertical lines, which makes the whole
architecture to form an organic whole with simple lines and
grand appearance.
Regional Differences
 French Gothic architecture
 English Gothic architecture
 Germany architecture
 Spanish architecture
 Italian architecture
Height
Impression
of verticality
Two large
towers
Gothic Architecture
Extreme length
External emphasis upon the horizontal
Double transepts
Huge size
Modular
nature
Openness
Stoned Architecture
Special
complexity
Tall arcades
Low clerestories
Polychrome
decoration
Few and widely

spaced columns
Simple proportions
Early Gothic – Laon Cathedral, 1160-1205
• division into horizontal • 4 story elevation

and vertical bands • sexpartite (6 part) vaults
• recessed triple portals spanning 2 bays
• towers at crossings and • alternate support system

transepts
High Gothic – Amiens Cathedral, 1220-1236
• 3 story elevation
• deeply recessed portals
• quadripartite (4 part) vaults
• more tracery, sculpture & spanning 1 rectangular bay
piercing of walls
• no alternate support
• play of light & dark system (unified space)
• equal height of arcade &
clerestory
Nave elevations of four French Gothic cathedrals at the same scale
(a) Laon, (b) Paris, (c) Chartres, (d) Amiens.
80' 107' 118' 144'
Early Gothic High Gothic

Late/Flamboyant Gothic – St.-Maclou, Rouen, 1434-1514
• named for flame-like

pointed tracery attached
to every surface
• ornamental surface
treatment emphasized
over structural clarity
• cavernous portals and

open tracery
• five-part facade
• crossing towers not

façade towers
• much smaller than High

Gothic structures.
THANK YOU

Gothic Architecture

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GCUF

SUBJECT: ARCHEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF

Gothic architecture outside

The overall pointed look was for

What are its characteristics outside?

Gothic architecture inside

Bright and airy

What are its characteristics inside?

What were the results and effects of ribbed vaults?

b) If the ribs were capable of taking the weight of the roof

d) Due to the support of the ribs and the buttresses

Gothic architecture is characterized by tall

It is simply known as the Gothic

Many columns, no longer simple round, come together and

Few and widely

• division into horizontal • 4 story elevation

• towers at crossings and • alternate support system

80' 107' 118' 144'

Early Gothic High Gothic

• named for flame-like

• cavernous portals and

• crossing towers not

• much smaller than High

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