RESEARCH & PROJECT SUBMISSIONS
Program: freshmen
Course Code: ASU 112
Course Name: Report Writing & Communication skills
Examination Committee
Prof. Aly N. El-Bahrawy
Dr. Shaimaa Fathi
Dr. Hadeer Arab
Dr. Ahmed Mohey
Dr. Mohamed Kohail
Ain Shams University
Faculty of Engineering
Spring Semester – 2020
SPRING SEMESTER - YEAR 2019/2020
Student Personal Information
Student Name: Mahmood Rashwan Alsiddiq
Student Code: 1901707
Class/Year: Freshmen / 2020
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I certify that this assignment / report is my own work, based on my personal study and/or research and that I have
acknowledged all material and sources used in its preparation, whether they are books, articles, reports, lecture
notes, and any other kind of document, electronic or personal communication. I also certify that this assignment /
report has not been previously been submitted for assessment for another course. I certify that I have not copied in
part or whole or otherwise plagiarized the work of other students and / or persons.
Signature/Student: Date: 2020/6/8
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Submission Contents
Gothic architecture
SPRING SEMESTER - YEAR 2019/2020
AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY ASU 112, Report Writing & Communication
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING skills, SPRING 2020
Contents
0.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 4
1.0 The beginning of gothic architecture ............................................................................... 5
1.1 Early Gothic: Basilica of Saint-Denis 1144 .................................................................. 5
1.2 High Gothic 1200-1280................................................................................................... 5
1.3 International Gothic ........................................................................................................... 8
2.0 Technical Innovations of Gothic architecture ................................................................. 8
3.0 The Gothic Interior .......................................................................................................... 10
4.0 Gothic architecture's concept of order .......................................................................... 11
5.0 Related Artists to the gothic architecture ........................................................................... 12
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 13
References .................................................................................................................................... 13
Table of figurers
Figure 1:Basilica of Saint-Denis .................................................................................................. 6
Figure 2:Chartres cathedral ........................................................................................................ 7
Figure 3:the buttresses ................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 4:the pointed arch ............................................................................................................. 9
Figure 5:Cathedral of Reims from inside ................................................................................. 10
Figure 6:Sainte Chapelle from inside........................................................................................ 10
Figure 7:Palace of Westminster - Seat of British Parliament ................................................. 11
Figure 8:Giotto ............................................................................................................................ 12
Figure 9:Piero Della Francesca.................................................................................................. 12
Figure 10:Donatello .................................................................................................................... 12
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0.0 Introduction
You can forget that the "Gothic" words have been associated with dark, hidden houses,
Wuthering Heights and ghostly, pale people wearing the ribbed polishes of black nails. The
original style of Gothic was developed to bring sunshine to the lives of people and in their
churches in particular. It is the best thing to go back to the beginning of the word Gothic, to the
style that carries the name, to the definitions of these centuries. The Goths were a so-called
barbarous tribe that had power in European countries between the collapse of the Roman Empire
and its foundation (from about the fifth to the eighth century). They were not known for their
outstanding architectural achievements. Like many historical terms of art, after all "Gothic" was
applied to a certain archeological style. The architecture was giant steps away from the
traditional, very simple building systems. The Gothic style came into being in a romantic
architecture, as prosperity and relative peace allowed cultural growth and large building projects
over several centuries. Several important cathedrals and churches, especially in England and
France, were built between around 1000 and 1400, providing architects and masons with an ever
more complex and bold design. The pointing arch that has probably been taken away from
Islamic architecture that was seen in Spain at the time is the main element of the Gothic style of
architecture. The pointed arch alleviated certain thrust and thus the stress on other structural
elements. The size of the columns and piers supported by the ark were then reduced. The
pointing arch could be seen in the vault in three dimensions, where the ribbed vault met in the
center of each bay's ceiling. Another characteristic feature of Gothic architecture is this ribbed
vault. But it should be pointed out that in late Romanesque buildings prototypes for point arches
and ribbed vaults were first seen.
Note: -
Any religious or spiritual statement is transmitted about this culture in
Europe at this time and does not reflect the doctrine of the author student for
this article
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1.0 The beginning of gothic architecture
Gothic architecture, European architectural style that lasted from the mid-12th to the 16th
century, in particular, the masonry building with cavernous spaces with the walls split up with
overlaid tracery. The engineering achievement of the 12th–13th centuries allowed more and
more gigantic buildings. As solutions for building a very large structure, the rib vault, flying
buttress and pointed (Gothic) arch were used while preserving as much natural light as possible.
Good glazed window panels also rendered the interior effects sun dappled.
1.1 Early Gothic: Basilica of Saint-Denis 1144
Basilica of Saint-Denis (1135-1144) pioneered in the Gothic style near Paris. Abbot Suger led a
church reconstruction, a venerated site of the martyrdom of Saint Denis where almost all the
French kings had been buried since the seventh century. Ailn excellent scholar, friend and
counselor to King Louis 6 and then Louis 7, the work of Pseudo Dionysius, the Aeropagite, a
Christian philosopher and mystical of the 5th and 6th centuries was inspired by his ideas.
Pseudo-Dionysius assumed that every earthly light component was an element of divine light,
which Suger agreed with. Suger felt that the new style of Gothic would raise God's soul. His
design envisaged an upward uprightness, And the use of a pointed arch, allowing for a vaulted
ceiling and thinner walls with numerous stained-glass windows, were crucial for this. The
Church of St. Denis was the model for Gothic architectural style, which spread across Europe.
Early Gothic churches also used sculpture to decorate the building, to forge ahead and expand
Romanesque practice. Religious scenes were graved over the doorways into a tympanum, and
figures were filled with the surrounding archivolts and lintels. Secular pictures were also created
as signs of the Zodiac were carved into the sides of the left portal and the agricultural works of
the month were depicted on the left of the St Denis Basilic. The columns of Old Testament kings
and prophets on the portal columns were most prominently shown.
1.2 High Gothic 1200-1280
From approximately 1200, the period of the High Gothic period developed towards a more and
more vertical nature, with pinnacles, spires and emphasis on both structural and decorative
effects. The size of the rose fenster was increased, and for decorative purposes, the tracery, the
interfering metal bar among sections of glass, was created. All of them are prominent examples
of the high gothic style, such as the Chartres cathedral(1194-1420), the Amiens cathedral
(1220-1269) and Our Lady of Paris (1193-1345). The high Gothic period was also characterized
by two different sub-style developments: the radiant and the flamboyant styles. Flamboyant-style
mostly late-gothic architecture, which continued into the 1500s.
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Figure 1:Basilica of Saint-Denis
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Figure 2:Chartres cathedral
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1.3 International Gothic
International Gothic is the term used for courteously designing the enlightened manuscripts,
tapestries, paintings and sculptures which came into being around 1375. The style, combined
with European courts has, for its elegance, sensitivity, soft facial appearance and smooth shapes,
been called "the beautiful style." The most important patrons and compete for the creation of a
cultural capital which would attract leading artists are the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in
Prague, the King of France in Valois and the Visconti in Milan. The portability of a large number
of works, The style is popular throughout Europe, as well as the patronage network that causes
artists to move to various courts.
2.0 Technical Innovations of Gothic architecture
Gothic was dynamic, performed, airy, and light, as opposed to Roman and Roman architecture.
Gothic architecture was characterized by vertical proportions that were accentuated, i.e. height
very developed. Gothic churches normally had three naves, followed by a porch with a short but
deep transept. The chancel is usually very long, with one or several ambulatories, leading to
radial chapels and radially arranged around the apse.
New technical advances which have rendered revolutionary Gothic architecture.
The following innovations were:
the rampant arch (replacing or supporting the buttresses).
the pointed arch (replacing the round arch).
ribbed rib vault (replacing the cross vault).
(an aesthetic element that also contributed to balance).
Large spaces with stained glass windows.
The point arch (Figure 4) consists of two arcs of a circle, which
intersecte and form a curve of the intrados. This ark is more robust as
it reduces lateral thrusts, unloading the weight vertically and thus on
the piers. The construction of supporting walls is thus not necessary
because the massive beam or polystyle pillars, formed by extensions
and ribs, support the weight. With this breakthrough, thinner walls
were made possible.
Figure 3:the buttresses
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A further new feature incorporated into Gothic
architecture was the pinnacle: it adds weight to
the pillars and supporting structures on which it is
mounted, straightens the oblique pathways and
allows the building to remain static. It has a stone
structure and acts as a decorative element. Indeed,
it is often overlooked by one or more statues and
is made up of a pyramidal upright element,
enriched with detailed sculptures that gives the
building the sense of upward movement.
Such new structures, which support the entire
building, allow to restrict the thickness of the
walls, as the supporting role no longer exists.
Thus, many of the walls were adorned with large
windows, creating a dramatic atmosphere in the
interior with its colours. The portion of the wall
that is occupied by the glass windows is known as
the clerestory (the clarescere in Latin is to be
illumined and shining). It is generally situated in
the upper part of the central nave than the foot.
The windows can also be found in the choir walls,
the transept heads and in the façade.
The close correlation between esthetic ideas and
technological innovations is what fascinates
Gothic architecture. Thanks to the increasingly Figure 4:the pointed arch
improved and revolutionary use of the construction
principles of the cross vault and pointed arch, the aim is to make the inner surroundings of sacred
buildings luminous and spacious. The absence of a load on the perimeter walls absorbed by
external pillars and buttresses allowed glass windows to be installed that reached unprecedented
dimensions.
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3.0 The Gothic Interior
The Gothic interior did not need more
decoration than the architectural
vertical lines, the richly colored
stained glass and the vivid flow of
light. Candles and lighting were
required for Romanesque churches
from within. But the Gothic interior is
tinted by the sun and filtered through
stained glass windows. A Gothic
cathedral like Chartres cathedral, or
Reims cathedral( Figure 5), is as
beautiful indoors as it is outdoors. It is
so enormous that it cannot be
examined from one location because
there is no single point that offers a
look at the whole structure.
Figure 5:Cathedral of Reims from inside
The Gothic interior (Figure 6) is always
stunning, but at sunset it's still more striking.
The effect is amazing at this time of day,
when Sun's rays fall down and filter out the
multiple colors of the window. No surprise, it
was once said in the Gothic cathedrals that the
Figure 6:Sainte Chapelle from inside
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sacred light will lead the faithful's souls to the light of God.
4.0 Gothic architecture's concept of order
Medieval esthetics, one of the greatest achievements of Gothic architecture, is based on math and
geometry. The art historian Otto von Simson declared that church proportions were not random
and that spectacular effects were not determined. They are then derived from a view of art as a
science, namely, the quest for the geometrical relations at the base of the universe that are
considered to be of divine origin. These are the same relations that govern the musical world,
The harmonic laws in which are not only natural reality but representations in divine harmonies.
The first Gothic houses were designed on the same musical principle. Thus the sacred building
cames have the same harmonic connections as music. This mathematical precision, in essence,
tried to identify God as the world's great architect, who had at the beginning of time founded
these divine proportions. The temple of Solomon itself has perfect numerical proportions
according to the description of the Scripture. And Figure 7:Palace of Westminster - Seat of
British Parliament could be the best example.
Figure 7:Palace of Westminster - Seat of British Parliament
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5.0 Related Artists to the gothic architecture
i. Giotto
In development of Western art, Giotto is one of the most important
artists. Preempting many of the Italian High Renaissance 's concerns
and concerns by a century, His works have opened up a new era in
painting which combined religious ancient times and a development
idea of Renaissance humanism. Indeed, its influence on European art
was such that many historians believed it wasn't compared until about
two centuries after Michelangelo took control of his mantle.
Figure 8:Giotto
ii. Piero Della Francesca
In combination with Renaissance humanism, Piero Della Francesca
made use of mathematical theory and geometry for the production of
some of the most arresting early Renaissance religious work. His use of
the linear perspective and predictability brought to life Biblical scenes
and legends, and his emulation of classic personalities and
compositions, while their subjects are often mysterious, give his
paintings a stability and gravity.
iii. Donatello
Figure 9:Piero Della Francesca
Donatello would be known in ancient times as the leading sculptor to
rekindle classical sculpture through the revitalized style that had left the
flat iconography of the Gothic era. In the wake of the thriving push of Figure
Renaissance humanism, he broke ground by bringing modern esthetics
– a movement that emphasized a step away from the medieval
scholasticism and embracing deep insight into humanity, culminating in
the work of art which no longer concentrated exclusively on the secular
domain of religion but rather explored human position in the natural
world. The lifelike and highly emotional works of Donatello would
make him one of the most important artists of the 15th century. and an
early forefather to the Italian Renaissance.
Figure 10:Donatello
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Conclusion
Gothic architecture in the twelfth century had a significant influence on architecture. Arches and
vaults are some of the main features of gothic design. During this time, cathedrals were able to
increase the height of the building and adopt a slimmer look, as well as integrate the window art
on the walls, since the walls were not used to support the building load more. Therefore, due to
Gothic design developments, buildings like cathedrals have allowed the building's light via
window art to be increased and the building's height to be increased through pointy arches and
the use of support vaults. We knew about the architects and artists who contributed greatly to this
magnificence and beauty such as Donatello, Architecture is the science that shapes how people
live anytime, anywhere, and to be an architect is truly great.
References
Mittler, G. A. (2006). Art in focus. McGraw-Hill Education/chapter 15.
Frankl, P. (2000). Gothic architecture. Yale University Press.
Draper, P. (2006). The formation of English Gothic. Yale University Press.
(n.d.). Gothic Art And Architecture - History+. The Art Story. Retrieved June 18,
2020, from https://m.theartstory.org/movement/gothic-art-and-architecture/history-
and-concepts
(n.d.-a). Gothic Architecture | Facts, Summary, Origins, Development & Innovations.
School History. Retrieved June 18, 2020, from
https://schoolhistory.co.uk/notes/gothic-architecture/
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