Gothic

 

Notre Dame de Paris - Paris, France - Facade Details 

Summary:

    The focus of this week's post comes from Chapter 6 of Mark Hinchman's "History of Interior Architecture." He discusses the beginnings of the Gothic style and its impacts. Beginning in France, it quickly spread across Europe as a whole. This design type was also very influential because it was not entirely dependent on Greek and Roman architecture. Rather, the book describes it as a "Bridge between Romanesque and Renaissance." For example, Gothic design includes various arches and detailed facades. The art was different than what came before it, and it was not the same as the period that followed. 

Designs & Current Applications: 

One Gothic structure that stuck out to me was the abbey church of Saint Denis in France. This church was foundational in Gothic architecture and showcases many of the elements related to this design style. It was remodeled in 1137, beginning the start of the Gothic style in the church. The columns, walls, and ceiling all connect and flow seamlessly in this new design. It also includes a chevet that incorporates Gothic arches, rib values, and flying buttresses. Today, rib vaults inspired by Gothic design are still used in various projects, especially in homes. 

Saint Denis Ambulatory - Paris, France - Remodeled by Abbot Sugar

Modern Day Home - Rib Vaults Inspired By Gothic Design

    Saint Chapelle is another example of an influential Gothic design. This church was built as a place to house many artifacts that were connected to Jesus Christ. Because of the intense importance of these belongings in the Catholic faith, an extravagant structure was needed to keep them. This chapel uses rayonnant style, so the lines all come from a single point and radiate outwards. The building is practically one single, small room with the stained glass walls lighting the entire floor. Modern architecture plays with this idea of full floor-to-ceiling walls that is seen in Saint Chapelle. 

Saint Chappelle - Paris, France - Stained Glass Windows and Rayonnant Style

Modern Example of Full Stained Glass Walls 

    Another design that utilizes Gothic is the wooden partitions used in churches. Because of the emphasis on religion during this time, churches were the primary place of innovative design. The best carpenters were paid to complete projects, hence the intense craftsmanship on designs like choir stalls. Many of these projects, as the book describes, are "Designed like miniature buildings." The decorative pieces are the main focuses and incorporate arches, crosses, finials, and other forms of tracery. 

Gothic Canopy Bed 

Modern Furniture that Showcases Gothic Design Through Craftsmanship

One Step Further:

The project that intrigued me the most was Notre Dame de Paris. The architects of this project were Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, Pierre de Chelles, Pierre de Montreuil, and Jean de Chelles. The spent their lives work designing this famous Cathedral. It is most-known for its detailed facades, vertical elements, two towers, three portals, round windows, etc. The architect Pierre de Montreuil on this project also worked on other influential works. He participated in the design and construction of his time such as Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Basilica of Saint Denis. Pictures of his works are bellow. 

Notre Dame de Paris - Paris, France - Pierre de Montreuil

Saint Germain - Pierre de Montreuil - Paris, France

Basilica of Saint De is - Pierre de Montreuil - Paris, France 

Conclusion:

    To conclude, Gothic is very important to the history of architecture and design. It does not mimick Greek or Roman architecture. Instead, it takes a much greater influence form Romanesque. It is the predecessor and foundation for the Renaissance. Because of the importance of religion, many of the examples of Gothic come from churches. More design and detail went into the interiors, which can be seen in the precedents listed above.