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

HISTORY
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”

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS
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_functionstained-glass-gothic-architecture.html

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

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/chartres-cathedralphotos/slides/Chartres_Plan http://www.andrew-may.com/mm.htm

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

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

FLYING BUTTRESSES
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.
http://www.opendimension.org/blen der_en/arch_pressure.php

GOTHIC ARCHES
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/AAAAAAAAC q4/XUamcHCi4X8/s400/t467_GothicArches.jpg

CONSTRUCTION OF AN ARBELOS

AN INTERESTING FEATURE OF ARBELOS’

ARCHIMEDES AND HIS PROPOSITIONS

R/2
R
R/6 R/3

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

THE GOTHIC ARCH

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTIONS
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 CONSTRUCTION

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

ROSE WINDOW CONSTRUCTION

REFERENCES
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
.