Gothic Architecture
Chartres Cathedral, France (1194 - 1220)
This lecture focused on the architectural style of the Gothic era and its modern application in design. Architects tended to design a series of interlocking arches in stone and lighter and thinner stone in between which reduced the overall load weight.
As masonry is very heavy and adds pressure to the structure the use of buttresses and structural supports was necessary. The walls would need to be thick, adding weight, whereas buttresses provide external support and weight distribution.
VIDEO:
Early Gothic
This era was particularly interesting as the style was based around vaulting chains of windows and vast stained glass sections for example the Abbey of Saint-Denis in Paris (begun in 1140).
High Gothic
This style was characterised by the application of 'elaborate geometrical decoration' to the buildings. Gothic architecture is one of the most stand-out architectural styles which changed the direction of modern design and techniques. The use of stained glass and detailed structural elements makes the era so significant.
Gothic architecture has shaped the majority of Northern England's city characteristics which is why it is so important. Even though the era is vastly complex, it has made a significant dent in modern design.
'The principle of the Gothic architecture is infinity made imaginable.' - Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Houses of Parliament, UK
Medieval Domesticity
This lecture focused on the idea of using local materials and construction methods to harness the culture and community within a building. One example of this was the Weald and Download museum who decamp old medieval domestic buildings and rebuild them.
The mix of thatched, timber-framed and masonry buildings really expresses the idea of using local materials and creating unique structures that stand the test of time.
Preserving ancient buildings is of paramount importance as without them we wouldn't be able to study our architectural past. As Gothic architecture was so unique, it has shaped modern design as well as the preservation of key monuments. Without preserving local and national structures, how would we know the past?
References:
York Minster, England UK. (2016). [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5tAD8qJVO4.
Coleridge, S. 22+ Emotional Gothic Architecture Quotes That Will Unlock Your True Potential. Quotlr.com. Retrieved from https://quotlr.com/quotes-about-gothic-architecture#:~:text=Gothic%20Architecture%20Quotes%20It%20is%20better%20to%20have,Talking%20about%20music%20is%20like%20dancing%20about%20architecture.