Geometry in Gothic Architecture Essays -- Architecture

IntroductionThe 12th Century dictum the move away from the Romanesque architecture which had typified the preceding centuries to the era of the great medieval cathedrals which were to become the architectural symbol of the middle ages. The transformation was not solely unrivalled of size or scope but a look of the cultural shifts which were occurring as the medieval age commenced. By this time, numbers and geometry had acquired a metaphysical significance and were believed to have occult symbolism and power. The introduction of inviolable geometry into all aspects of the design of places of worship was therefore inevitable and from that time detect design features much(prenominal) as the numbers of pillars in the choir, the layout of the floor broadcast and faade were significantly influenced by the perceived significance of these theories. To understand in more depth how numbers and geometry were incorporated into architectural design it is elicit to first consider the char acteristics of gothic architecture and in particular wherefore they were such an influence on cathedral design. I will in the following use Chartres cathedral in France as an example which illustrates the tinge of these influences.Political and Economical Background During the 12th Century, for the first time since the break off of the Roman Empire, cities once again began to grow. Their wealth this time was built on the robust economic structures around banking and trade, rather than on conquest and slavery which had characterised the previous centuries. Financial wealth was emerging as the determinant of fond standing rather than the historic influence of the church and preceding empires.The while of Faith was emerging and knowledge was increasingly informed by two a ... ...sidered perfect. The original master builder used the shape of the hexagon in deciding where to place the transept walls. All these examples are evidence of the fact that geometry had such a crucial ro le to play in the design of the cathedral. In summary it is clear that as geometry and mathematics had become hugely grave to the people of the middle ages, due to not only the ideas of philosophers and mathematicians, but in like manner because of the political, economical and theological development of the period. The belief that geometry and number was a affiliate to God was so strong that it influenced the Gothic style in a number of ways. Maybe it is this fact that mathematics was so intentionally incorporated, is one of the main reasons why these cathedrals remain such a great magnificence to us so many years later, not only as a place of worship, but also as a mesh of art.