SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE• BUILDING• DESIGN
Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture
ARCHITECTURE CULTURE AND HISTORY 1 [ARC 1313]
PROJECT: PRECEDENT STUDY
Essay (10%)
NAME OF BUILDING: SALISBURY CATHEDRAL
NAME: Pua Kee Hui (0316672)
Kong Ren Heng (0316416)
Khor Sin Xuan (0316230)
Joash Lim
LECTURER:
Puan Anida
Introduction – Salisbury Cathedral
The Salisbury Cathedral is renowned as it housed the Magna Carta. The document was signed
to rebalance the power of the King. Under the system of a medieval society the King was allpowerful, which led to disputes between the King and his subjects. In 1214, weakened by the
French in war and to avoid a civil war he feared losing, King John signed the Magna Carta at
Runnymede which stated that even the King was not above the law.
Magna Carta Display Case
Carta was placed
The Chapter House where Magna
Gothic Architecture
Gothic Architecture was originated from France in
the 12th Century by Abbot Suger, the domain of the
French royal family. His idea was to overwhelm the sense
with ornate detail and to create dazzling color through
large stained glass windows. Unlike Romanesque
architecture, with its stress on heavy masses and clearly
delimited areas, Gothic construction is characterized by
lightness and soaring spaces. The introduced of flying
buttresses in Gothic Era which is used on outside support
of the vault have allowed light irradiate through vast
expanses of stained glass creating an intense atmosphere. In addition to this, rib-vault and
pointed (or ogival) aches are also serve as hallmarks of the style. There are total three phase of
Gothic Style in England: Early Gothic, Decorated (Curvilinear), and Perpendicular. In Early
English, the indigenous tendencies towards architectural fantasy were inhibited by rational
discipline of French Style.
History Background
Salisbury is unique amongst medieval English cathedrals having
been built in just 38 years (1220 - 1258) in early English Gothic.
Salisbury Cathedral is one of twenty cathedrals that were built
after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. In 1220, the Bishop of
Salisbury, Richard Poore decided to build a new cathedral, which
lies several miles from Old Sarum called New Sarum beside the
River Avon, which is now known as Salisbury, Wiltshire. The
construction of the cathedral is attributed to two men, Elias of
Dereham and Nicholas of Ely and the restoration by James Wyatt
and George Gilbert Scott.
George Gilbert Scott
Significant Elements
The Cathedral has the iconic structure of
the Gothic Era which is the pointed
arches, plan layout and rib-vault. The
pointed arch relieved some of the thrust
and the stress on other structural
elements. It can reduce the size of the
columns that supported the arch. So, they
could be more slender. This slimness was
repeated in the upper levels of the nave,
so that the gallery and clerestory would
not seem to overpower the lower arcade.
In fact, the column basically continued all the way to the roof, and became part of the vault. In
the rib-vault, the pointed arch could be seen in 3-dimensions where the ribbed vaulting met in
the center of the ceiling. The plan layout of Salisbury Cathedral has a shape of a cross.
In short, Salisbury Cathedral is indeed a unique building with its towering spire. The lack of
carving but construct the simplest quadripartite vaulting indicates that it is not the decor but
the architecture itself that is the main artistic principle. Salisbury Cathedral aimed to make a
difference for God through exceptional worship and outreach and also focused on generosity
which generates a warm open welcome to all. Lastly they also focus on compassion, which
promotes social justice, equality, diversity, dignity, consideration and respect for all.
Interior: “The Rib Vault” & “Pointed Arch”
The front façade of Salisbury Cathedral
Reference:
http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/history.magnacarta.php
http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/english-gothic-architecture.html
http://salisburycathedral.wordpress.com/early-english/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/architecture_cathedral_01.shtml