Gothic Architecture

I decided to research Gothic architecture because the building i am restoring to a certain extent is in the style of Gothic architecture. and i wanted to learn more about it since it is one of my favorite style of architecture. i managed to find out quite a lot of new information i hadn't known before and i was able to place my building in the timeline of the architectural style.

Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that was really popular during the medieval times. It has evolved from Romanesque architecture and came back into style by the Renaissance architecture. 

Originally from 12th-century France and lasting till the 16th century, Gothic architecture was known as "French work" at that time. The term Gothic first appeared during the end of the Renaissance. Some of its distinctive and characteristic features are the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress (slanting from a separate pier, typically forming an arch with the wall it supports).

This type of architecture is most common as the architecture of many of the great cathedrals,abbey and churches in Europe. It is also the architectural style of many castles, palaces, town halls, guild halls (a building in the City of London), universities and sometimes private dwellings, but that is very rare, like my cotton exchange building.

The Gothic style was expressed mostly in the great churches and cathedrals and in a number of civic buildings. Because it was thought that its characteristics lend themselves and appeal to emotions. A great number of religious buildings are from this period, and even the smallest are often magnificent pieces of architecture.

Many of the larger churches are considered priceless works of art and are listed with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization established in 1945 to promote the exchange of information, ideas, and culture) as World Heritage Sites. So when you study Gothic architecture you study cathedrals and churches. This is brilliant because I love religious buildings hence appreciating Gothic Architecture.

Some Gothic revival began in the mid-18th-century England, such as my Cotton Exchange building, it is a prime example. This style spread through 19th-century Europe and further and mainly was used in building university structures, into the 20th century.

This architecture has reaches many different countries and wherever Gothic architecture is found, it is influenced by the local area, and sometimes artisans carried ideas between cities and sometimes between countries. Certain characteristics are typical in certain regions and often override the style itself, appearing on buildings hundreds of years apart.

 Countries that have quite a bit of Gothic Architecture are : England, France, Germany and Central Europe, Spain, Portugal and Italy.but the general consensus it that it reached the whole world and took it by storm. 

Interior of Amiens Cathedral, France.

The spacious interior of Regensburg Cathedral.

Barcelona Cathedral has a wide nave with the clerestory windows nestled under the vault.

The longitudinal emphasis in the nave of Wells is typically English.

The clear proportions of Florence Cathedral are defined by dark stone against the colour-washed plastered brick.

when it comes to symbols in Gothic architecture it is always christian symbolism, since the majority of Gothic buildings are religious/christian in origin. so christian symbols and biblical facades are common an this is where my symbolism steps in an pushed religion out. my symbols are pagan an spiritual and its nice to have a different belief system incorporated into an organized religions building style.

 i love the irony of my pagan an spiritual symbols being used in a style of building that apposes them. but its funny how easy it was to incorporate them in to the building and because of this i feel my final piece is a bit more special. i feel like a rebel bringing back my Wicca and pagan beliefs an putting them forward before the monotheistic religions. i feel pagan religions are beautiful an its proven by their symbology inspiring my beautiful work.

 i haven't done this out of disrespect to monotheistic religions, but out of love for pagan beliefs and it is a mini shout out to it for helping me find myself an inner piece.symbols have helped me find the beauty in spiritual life and this is my way of thanking the spiritual world, if that makes sense. 

i create art with meaning, thought and substance an with my FMP i feel i have achieved this.