Presentation by: Meagan Dowedoff

Cara Boerner

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Image from: http://valetourism.net/tag/notre-dame/

Gothic Architecture is referred to as the “Architecture of Geometry” due to its

heavy reliance on geometric properties, such as proportion and symmetry.

During the Gothic age architecture was the dominant form of art

It was first developed in France, c. 1140

“In architecture, Gothic art was at its most intellectual”

HISTORY

Buildings, especially cathedrals within the Gothic

design tend to have:

Symmetric floor plans

Flying buttresses

Vaulted ceilings

Gothic arches

Enormous stain glass windows

http://www.ehow.com/info_8668480_function-stained-glass-

gothic-architecture.html

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS

FLOOR PLAN

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Amiens_cathedral_floorplan.JPG

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/chartres-cathedral-photos/slides/Chartres_Plan

http://www.andrew-may.com/mm.htm

“A buttress is a support built against a wall to support or reinforce it.”

Originally in order to get the desired height the walls would have to be thick along the base of the walls, but

more was wanted.

They desired more height and the ability to let light in through beautiful stain glass windows.

FLYING BUTTRESSES

• http://architecture.about.com/od/buildingparts/g/buttresses.htm

http://physicsbuttresses.blogspot.ca/2008/12/physics-and-history-behind-buttresses.html

In order to do this, gothic architects invented flying

buttresses.

These buttresses allowed the horizontal force of the roof to

go down the buttresses, releasing the force and not causing the walls to buckle

under the weight.

FLYING BUTTRESSES

http://www.opendimension.org/blender_en/arch_pressure.php

The next few slides layout a proof of a property that is

needed to produce the Gothic Arches.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_s6dJiNMUuWE/Sx3O3jiajoI/AAAAAAAACq4/XUamcHCi4X8/s400/

t467_GothicArches.jpg

GOTHIC ARCHES

CONSTRUCTION OF AN ARBELOS

AN INTERESTING FEATURE OF ARBELOS’

ARCHIMEDES AND HIS PROPOSITIONS

R

R/2 R/6 R/3

REFLECTING THE ORIGINAL CIRCLE OVER OUR MIDPOINT LINE, WE GET OUR RESULTING GOTHIC ARCH.

THE GOTHIC ARCH

Rose windows are primarily constructed with a compass and a

straight edge.

There is many constructions that are possible with only these materials.

We have each constructed a rose window.

There are detailed instructions in the binder.

Using only basic techniques with a compass and a straight edge these

rose windows were achieved.

There are a number of constructions possible with only these basic tools, we have given each of you a handout that

give instructions.

http://www.greatdreams.com/sacred/Chartres-Rose-Window.jpg

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTIONS

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

Bogomolny, A. (2012) Chain of Inscribed Circles. Interactive Mathmatics Miscellany and Puzzles. Retrieved November 25, 2012 from

http://www.cut-the-knot.org/Curriculum/Geometry/InversionInArbelos.shtml#theorem.

Bogomolny, A. (2012) Gothic Arc. Interactive Mathmatics Miscellany and Puzzles. Retrieved November 25, 2012 from http://www.cut-the-knot.org/Curriculum/Geometry/GothicArc.shtml.

Chiffriller, J. (n.d.). Tips & Tricks to Gothic Geometry. New York Carver. Retrieved November 1, 2012, from http://www.newyorkcarver.com/geometry/rose.htm.

Craven, J. (2012) What Is a “Buttress”? What is a “Flying Buttress”? About.com. Retrieved November 16, 2012 from http://architecture.about.com/od/buildingparts/g/buttresses.htm.

Fazio, M., Moffett, M., & Wodehouse, L. (2008). A World History of Architecture, Second Edition. McGraw-Hill Publishing.

Grodecki, L. (1976) Gothic Architecture. New York: Harry N. Adams Incrporated.

Nikolinakou, M., & Tallon, A. (n.d.) New Research in Early Gothic Flying Buttresses. University of Cambridge. Retrieved November 20, 2012 from

http://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/Downloads/ichs/vol-3-2347-2362-nikolinakou.pdf.

Norwich, J. (2003) Great Architecture of the World. China: Da Capo Press.

Salpietra, M. (2010) Physics of Stone Arches. Nova. Retrieved November 21, 2012 from http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/nv37_int_arches/.

Schneider, M. (n.d.) Geometry of the North Rose Window of Chartes Cathedral. Constructing the Universe. Retrieved November 23, 2012 from http://www.constructingtheuniverse.com/Chartres%20Window.html.

Young, R. (Spring 2012) Pappus of Alexandria and the Arbelos. University of Minnesota Morris. Retrieved November 23, 2012 from http://www.morris.umn.edu/academic/math/Ma4901/Sp2012/Near/Young-near.pdf.

REFERENCES