Gothic - Discussion

I read Sammy's post about Gothic design and was reminded of the gargoyles that you'll see on Gothic architecture from time to time. They are a really interesting feature that serve both spiritual and architectural functions: spiritually they ward off evil spirits and architecturally they divert water from spilling down the masonry walls of the buildings, and causing problems with the mortared joints. 

Although I've reviewed a blog post of Dana's in the past, I'm revisiting her blog for my discussion of the Gothic period. She mentioned that when people think of the Gothic period that they often think "depressing and sad" which is very true when thinking of the black plague during that time. What's interesting is that the architects and builders who envisioned Gothic design and first constructed in this style would roll in their graves to know that's what people first think about when they hear the word! Their intent was to create a space that was filled with light and uplifting - it was meant a be a representation of heaven.

To read their blog posts, go here: 
http://www.history1sjn.blogspot.com/2014/02/gothic.html
http://www.fcs338dthomas.blogspot.com/p/gothic_20.html
 

GOTHIC

The Gothic design period developed out of the Romanesque. It really contrasts with the Romanesque period, which was solid and heavy, because of it's lightness and appearance of weightlessness. 

 

The Gothic design period has three main characteristics: the pointed arch, ribbed vault, flying buttresses. These architectural elements really open up the space and allows light to flow in. The vaulted ceilings are lifted high up on thin columns and many stained glass windows create a sense of beauty, particularly the typical rose windows. 

Most of the quintessential Gothic cathedrals are found in France, however there are beautiful examples of Gothic architecture all over Europe. In particular, the examples found in England are lower and longer, but just as striking. 

For example, a cathedral that I visited in England - Salisbury Cathedral - is an example of early English Gothic. 

In addition to the main cathedral building there are beautiful cloisters...

 

and an octagonal chapter house that houses one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta. 

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/salisbury-cathedral.html

Influence on Modern Design

Examples of the influence of Gothic architecture on modern design are easy to find. It's such a striking period that it's frequently revived in modern furniture and buildings (including some in Chicago). 

Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago

Tribune Tower in Chicago

RENDERING - First unit

For this first section of the course, I decided to render a modern Islamic style interior. The room I selected is so beautiful and was very typical of the historic style. 

Islamic - Discussion

For the Islamic design style, I reviewed Rose's and Samantha's blog posts. 

Rose describes the mihrab which is a semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that is used to indicate the location of Mecca (the qibla). They were designed to give the impression of a passage to Mecca. 

Samantha introduced the Mosque of Sultan Ahmed. She described the beauty and intricacy of the interior. This mosque is also commonly referred to as the Blue Mosque. I decided to look up some more information about this particular mosque and it was very interesting.

If you would like to read their blog posts, you can find them here:  
http://www.history1rk.blogspot.com/2014/02/islamic.html
http://www.history1skf.blogspot.com/2014/02/islamic.html

ISLAMIC

The typical Islamic design would incorporate the horseshoe arch, the ogival arch, the muqaras-filled niche or dome, and minarets. Hypostyle architectural design is still playing a large role as well. Walls are typically decorated with calligraphy and mosaic or painted tiles in elaborate geometric designs and bright colors. 

Horseshoe arch

Ogee arch

The muqarnas take the form of small pointed niches, stacked in tiers  - and are commonly constructed of brick, stone, stucco, or wood clad in painted tiles. Examples can be found in the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. It is a large palace and fortress built in 1250-1360 by Ibn Ahmar.

Muqarnas dome

 The Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia is considered the ancestor of all the mosques in the western Islamic world. Interestingly there is an impluvium in the mosque to collect rainwater – which we learned about when we studied classical Greece. 

Influence on Modern Design

Islamic design is one of my favorites. The amazing geometric patterns are really beautiful. They can been seen in modern interiors in many forms. 

Romanesque - Discussion

For the Romanesque style period I read Justine's and Megan's blog posts. Justine described what residential homes were like during that time. It was really interesting to hear how the common person might have lived. On Megan's blog she posted photos of modern Romanesque style. The interiors are really beautiful and are a great example of the simplicity, vaults, and rounded arches of that time period. 

You can read their blog posts here: 
http://www.history1jvs.blogspot.com/2014/02/romanesque.html
http://www.history1mes.blogspot.com/2014/02/romanesque.html

ROMANESQUE

One of the main points the author of our book makes about the Romanesque (also referred to as Norman) period, is that it isn’t just the plain precursor to the Gothic style that will come later. It is unique and sophisticated in it’s own right.

The style is characterized by semi-circular arches, massive quality of the buildings, thick walls, groin vaults, large towers, and decorative arcading. Arcading is the single most significant decorative feature of Romanesque architecture. It was relatively simplistic in comparison to the styles that would follow. 

Also this style was the first that permeated all of Europe. It wasn’t a regional style. Also during this time they built many different kinds of buildings, not just churches or houses of worship but homes, palaces, government buildings. 

Abbey Fontenay

Ste Foy Cathedral

Interior of Baptistry at Pisa

Influence on Modern Design
In modern homes and interiors you can find examples of the Romanesque style. The simplistic style can be seen in the exterior view below, as well as in the rounded arch windows of the interior image.

Pompeii - Discussion

I read Paige's and John's blog posts about Pompeii. 

Paige described the four styles of paintings found in the Roman empire. They were represented in Pompeii. It's interesting that the latest style, with lots of ornamentation, would have been used in some of the repairs that took place after the last earthquake before the eruption. 

John's blog is titled "The Time Capsule." It's an apt title as it sums up exactly what happened at Pompeii. To be able to understand how Romans lived during that time is such a major contribution to our knowledge of the ancient world. 

You can read their blog posts here:  
http://www.history1peh.blogspot.com/2014/02/pompeii_5.html
http://www.history1jpe.blogspot.com/2014/02/pompeii-time-capsule-pompeii-is-city-of.html

POMPEII

In order to understand how so much is known about ancient Roman life, we look to the city of Pompeii. Although the story of Pompeii is that of tragedy, the ultimate contribution to history is a treasure trove of information about life during that time.

Map of Pompeii

Pompeii was most likely founded between 600-500 BCE. It was captured by Romans in 80 BCE and was essentially a resort town that contained the country homes of wealthy Romans. Estimates put the population of Pompeii at around 20,000 people. 

Plan of typical home in Pompeii

The nearby Mt Vesuvius wasn't considered a real threat by this community although they had experienced earthquakes from time to time. In fact, a few years before the major eruption that covered Pompeii, an earthquake had shaken the city and caused quite a bit of damage. This damage was in the process of being repaired when the eruption occurred.

Pompeii was destroyed in 79 CE from a sudden eruption of Mt Vesuvius. What is known of the eruption was written in an account by Pliny the Younger, who was watching the event from across the bay of Naples. First ash rained down on the city and, contrary to popular belief, many people did have time to flee. For those who stayed behind things got much worse. Intense heat and toxic gasses enveloped the city and brought life there to an end - about 2000 people died. Ash and rock covered the city and preserved it for centuries.

The remnants of Pompeii remained mostly untouched until 1748. Once discovered, study began on the city and it's history. One unique aspect of the discovery of Pompeii was that voids were found in the solidified ash. When plaster was injected into these voids, it showed that bodies of humans and animals had been encased by the ash. From the plaster molds, one could actually see the residents of Pompeii frozen in time. Also found there are frescoes, furniture, lamps, dishes, jewelry, baths, homes, temples, etc. which were well preserved because of the lack of air and moisture. They even found graffiti on the walls, food on tables, and bread baking in the ovens. 

Plaster casts of bodies

Fresco of a couple who owned a home in Pompeii

Beautiful mosaic flooring

Ruins in Pompeii

Pottery and other artifacts

 

However, once these artifacts were exposed they began rapidly deteriorating. Preservation and more excavation is taking place to this day. A third of the city still lies uncovered - mainly areas that weren't associated with the homes of the wealthy. 

Influence on Modern Design  

When Pompeii was initially discovered, it made a big impact of European culture. There was an enthusiasm for style of Pompeii and the art found there. It influenced the developing neoclassical style and was incorporated into many homes of that time period. It's influence even extends to modern interiors today.

Resources:

http://www.history.com/topics/pompeii

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/pompeii/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/11/101102/pompeii-mount-vesuvius-science-died-instantly-heat-bodies/

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/469420/Pompeii/5862/Influence-on-European-culture

ROMAN ORDERS - Rendering

Here is a rendering of the Roman orders (with some Greek thrown in for good measure). 

Byzantine - Discussion

For my discussion of the Byzantine time period, I looked to Yo's and Rachael's blog posts. 
 
Something that I haven’t considered before now is a topic that Yo brought up in his post. It’s that of sustainability. I hadn’t considered it because I didn’t think any sustainable aspects of these time periods were intentional. In fact, they were. They did need these, what we would call sustainable, aspects of design because they are simply a more natural way to do things. Yo’s comment that we can learn from great techniques from history on how to be sustainable was really astute.

Rachael talks about the Hagia Sophia as an example of Byzantine architecture. She describes how it was meant to out-do other structures. What an amazing building, right? I definitely have it on my list of “to see” buildings in my lifetime.

If you would like to read their blog posts you can find them here:
http://www.history1ys.blogspot.com/2014/02/byzantine.html
http://www.history1rap.blogspot.com/2014/02/chapter-4-byzantine.html

BYZANTINE

What the heck is the difference between the Byzantine design period and the Early Christian period? They do overlap quite a bit in that they both focus on Christian ornamentation. One difference between Early Christian and Byzantine periods is that Christianity was a religious movement and wasn’t necessarily a “style”, rather Early Christian art and architecture are any works created by Christians at that time. Byzantine was a political and economic designation, and refers to the style of the Eastern European empire during that time period. The primary attribute of Byzantine art and architecture is spirituality.

Again, in the Byzantine period we are seeing well thought-out proportions in furniture and building – they are mathematically calculated and aesthetically pleasing. This is a constant element from Egypt until this period and we will see it again and again in the future.

Let’s talk a little about a building – the Hagia Sophia. This is the most significant architectural accomplishment during the Byzantine period. It's most visible and iconic element is the great dome ceiling. It contains two floors centered on a giant nave. The images below show the church as it may have looked when it was originally constructed.

After the fall of the Byzantine empire to the Ottoman empire in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. When the conversion occurred the altar, bells, and iconostasis were removed and the minarets that you see today were added. The building is now used as a museum and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Istanbul, Turkey.

http://johncavacas.com/blog/2012/10/08/time-magazine-feature-hagia-sophia-interior-ayasofya-istanbul/

Influence on Modern Design

As far as a modern influence on design, the Byzantine era can still be seen today. I think that rich, beautiful jewel tones and gold gilt really evoke this era.