Architecture

Significat Characteristics of Gothic Architecture

By the Kent School District

Architecture
Outside the cathedral

A significat characterisitc of gothic architecture is hieght. However, the higher the wall, the more force there is pushing in a outwardly direction. Buttresses allowed builders to go higher with their walls as it allowed more support. In this photo you can see the buttresses jutting perpendicular from the wall.

Invention of the flying buttress allowed medieval builders to construct taller and more delicated-looking buildings. In this photo, the flying buttesses connect the main wall of the cathedral to outside support buttresses. The force of the main wall is outwardly. The flying buttress directs the force of the wall out and down into the ground. As flying buttresses are perpendicular to the walls, this opens up space between the buttressing for stained glass windows.

When we look at a gothic building, it appears as though the flying buttresses are pushing on the wall. This photo of a gothic ruin shows that is not the case. Were the flying buttresses pushing on the wall, it would not be standing. Indeed, flying buttresses direct the outward force of the wall out and down into the ground.

This photo shows three of the external characteristics of gothic architecture. The backside of a gothic cathedral is semi-circular. This rounded end is known as the "aspse." Other characteristics shown here are the flying buttresses, the pinnacles, and the stained glass windows.

The portal (or entrance) to a gothic cathedral is usually decorated with sculpture. Using the sculpture as a molding in successive arches as shown here creates what is called an archivolt. The semi-circular arch above the door is called a tympanum. As with stained glass, medieval sculpture was used to tell the biblical stories to illiterate villagers.

Inside the Cathedral

One of the characteristics of gothic architecture is verticality. Medieval builders refined the simple arch into a vaulted arch and improved on many of the accepted building techniques. In this picture, with the use of successive vaults, delicate ribs on the arches, and collonades on the columns actual height is created along with the illusion of height.

Vaulting was very important for structural as well as design reasons. This picture shows sexpartite vaulting -- six ribs fan out from the center of the vault. This allows finish work and decoration to be done on the ribs creating a light, delicate look. Notice, however, that while the six ribs may provide a more delicate look, they force the stained-glass windows to be narrower and more numerous.

In this photo, another type of vaulting is shown--quadrapartite. With fewer ribs, this type of construction requires more support from the buttressing. But it also permits wider openings for windows and thus more stained-glass and light into the building.