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Gothic Cathedrals | Nicole Trujillo

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Audience and Scope of DescriptionThe purpose of this document is to provide the

reader with a basic understanding of how medieval

builders constructed Gothic Cathedrals. The

document will demonstrate the process of howmedieval builders constructed the vaults. In

addition, the document will identify characteristics

of Gothic Cathedrals, terminology, and types of

vaults. After reading this document, the audience

will be able to identify the key components of a

Gothic Cathedral.

The intended audiences for this document are

engineering and architecture students interested in

medieval construction. The document could appearin a lecture handout. Students should gain a better

understanding of Gothic design principles. This

general understanding will be beneficial to the

students who would like to pursue a career in

historic preservation.Cologne Cathedral

Photo Credit: Flikr

Introduction to Process

In order to understand gothic architecture, students must understand the goals of medieval builders. Medieval builders desired to construct tall buildings that allowed as much natural

light as possible. Therefore, they needed to design and build higher ceilings and more

transparent façades. In order to do this, they constructed vaults to provide these buildings

higher ceilings.

Intensions of Medieval Builders

• Maximum Soaring Height

• Maximum Natural Light

St Michael cathedral

Photo Credit: Flickr




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Gothic Principles

In the study of gothic architecture, it is important to be familiar with the terms and

principles. Also, it is important to understand how the load is distributed through the

structure to understand medieval design.

Medieval builders modified their design as they worked. They wanted the Gothic

cathedrals to have large curtain walls filled in with stained glass. Therefore, these walls

could not support the weight of the vaulting and roofs. As a result, they developed an

external system of buttressing (seen in the figure below), which applied counter-acting

force sideways towards the cathedral wall. This resists the tendency of the walls to bulge

out from the lateral pressures. The upper flying buttress redirects the wind forces from

the roof and the clerestory wall, guiding them downwards into the pier buttress

(aberlard.org).

Gothic architecture is characterized by flying buttresses, the pointed arch, and the ribbed

vault. Further description of these gothic characteristics is defined in the document.

The Constructive Principle of the Medieval Church

Photo Credit: Banister Fletcher

(http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/gothic/6.html)




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Gothic Terms

Buttressing

A structure, usually brick or stone, normally a half

arch carrying the thrust of a roof or vault acrossan aisle to an outer pier or buttress.

Centering

A temporary, usually wooden frame on which an

arch, vault, or dome is supported duringconstruction.

Pointed Arch

An arch with a pointed top. This is a major

characteristic for a gothic architecture.

Photo Credit: Medieval Building

Techniques

Photo Credit: Medieval Building

Techniques

Dunglass pointed arches





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Shoring

The vertical or truss supports are used as a

temporary replacement for the building

buttressing or walls during construction.

Treadwheel CraneA wooden, hoisting and lowering device that

was human powered. It was primarily used

during the Middle Ages in the building of

castles and cathedrals .

Photo Credit: Cathedral: The Story of its

Construction

Photo Credit: Medieval Building Techniques




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How a Gothic Vaults are Constructed

Photo Photo Credit: Cathedral: The Story of its Construction

Photo Credit: Cathedral: The Story of it s Construction

Photo Credit: Cathedral: The Story of its Construction

ROOF SHORINGMedieval builders

constructed the shoring

for the roofs using nails

and mallets.

ROOF

The medieval builders

laid out shoring for the

construction of the roof

and laid a floor to hold

the millwheel for

construction of the

vaults.

TREADWHEEL

CRANE

The treadwheel crane

was installed on top of

the area for the vaults.The medieval builders

laid out centering for

the ribbed vaults.




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Photo Credit: Cathedral: The Story of its Construction

CENTERING OF

VAULTS

The centering was

constructed at the endof the vault to prepare

for the application of

brick.

VAULTS

The medieval masons

applied brick over the

vaults shoring.

VAULTS

The final step for the

construction of

medieval vaults was

the builders applied alayer of plaster to the

vaults.




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Gothic Vaulting

There are 7 types of vaults which are listed below:

• Barrel Vault

• Ribbed Barrel Vault

• Groin Vault• Domed Groin Vault

• Ribbed Vault

• Quadripartite Vault

• Sexpartite Vault

Barrel VaultA roof consisting of a series of semi cylindrical

arches (Britannica.com).

Early Barrel Vault: Terracina


Ribbed Barrel VaultSemi cylindrical arches which ribs help to

support the vault.

Barrel Vault in Woolworth Building Lobby

Photo Credit: Flickr Groin Vault

Two barrel vaults that intersected at right

angles form a groin vault (Britannica.com)

"groin vaulted ceiling"


Domed Groin VaultTwo intersecting barrel vaults that are raised

to a spherical dome roof.

Photo Credit: www.brynmawr.edu




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Ribbed VaultA vault in which stone ribs carry the vaulted

surface (Britannica.com).

Chateau Marmont Vaults


Quadripartite VaultA groined vault defined by ribs on each side

and divided into four parts.

La Belle France, etc, 2011-07-03 at 13-27-38 (IMG_7329)


Sexpartite VaultA groined vault defined by ribs on each side

and divided into six parts.

Canterbury Cathedral central section interior

“20110424_F0001_2400_20110212”





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ConclusionIn conclusion, gothic cathedrals have three characteristics: buttressing, pointed arch, and ribbed

vault. The medieval masons used the engineering to design the buildings to allow more height

and light. They developed 7 types of vaults.

Architecture and engineering students understand and appreciate these design methods by

medieval builders. They can be applied further into their careers, perhaps in historic

preservation.

Milan Cathedral


References

www.britannica.com

www.flickr.com

www.libraries.psu.edu

www.wikipedia.com

http://www.abelard.org/france/cathedral-construction.php#construction

http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/gothic/6.html

http://www.brynmawr.edu/cities/Cities/wld/01410/01410b.jpg

Cathedral: The Story of its ConstructionMedieval Building Techniques

http://www.britannica.com/


http://www.flickr.com/


http://www.libraries.psu.edu/


http://www.wikipedia.com/















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