Week 6-Gothic Design

INT221-History of interiors Blog 

By: Nicol Valeria Torres Villamil

Week 6- Gothic Design 

This week, we have studied Gothic design (1140–1500) that happened during a time when a transition was being made from the Romanesque style to the Renaissance style. Gotic design originated in France with the Abbey Church of St. Denis being considered one of the first Gothic structures. Religion continued to be the focus of the time, and cathedrals were the hub of city life. Gothic architecture was an attempt to accomplish something quite different from the solidity of Romanesque architecture. Gothic design sought height, light, and a sense of spiritual transcendence. During this period there were new architectural elements developed such as: the pointed arch, the ribbed vault.

Cathedrals such as Notre Dame in Paris, Chartres Cathedral, and Regensburg Cathedral exemplified the use of high walls, stained glass, and immense volumes of space and light that seemed to almost touch the heavens. There were regional interpretations of the style as well, as English Gothic was longer and lower, the German Gothic aesthetic emphasized tall towers, the Spanish Gothic style was wide and complex, and the Italian Gothic carved colorful polychrome marble into the architecture.

Furniture of the Gothic period included X-frame stools, canopined seats, and elaborately carved oak chairs with tracery after the pattern of cathedrals. Ornamental design was on vertical line concepts, trefoils, quatrefoils, and linenfold paneling. Consequently, Gothic design speaks of religious fervor and yet rising civic pride in traumatic Uber-melding-an arquitectura, art, and furniture.

Historical Images

Abbey Church of St. Denis (France)

Birthplace of Gothic style with rib vaults and stained glass emphasizing light and spirituality.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

One of the most iconic Gothic cathedrals, with flying buttresses and rose windows.

Chartres Cathedral (France)

Famous for its stained glass windows and labyrinth floor design.

Regensburg Cathedral (Germany)

Known for its tall twin towers, representing German Gothic style.

Seigneurial Chair (c. 1300, Westminster Abbey model)

Elaborate Gothic chair with tracery, symbolizing status and authority.

Current Applications

Washington National Cathedral (USA)

A modern Gothic-style cathedral with pointed arches, rib vaults, and stained glass.

University Campuses (e.g., Princeton, Yale)

Neo-Gothic architecture with towers, arches, and tracery details.

Modern Furniture Inspired by Gothic Tracery

Contemporary furniture designs borrow pointed arches and carved patterns.

Skyscraper Design (e.g., Woolworth Building, NYC)

Known as the ‘Cathedral of Commerce,’ it uses Gothic verticality in modern form.

Interior Design with Stained Glass and Trefoil Motifs

Homes and chapels incorporate stained glass and Gothic ornament for atmosphere.

One Step Further – Abbot Suger

For my "One Step Further," I looked into Abbot Suger (1081–1151), the French abbot of St. Denis who is known as the father of Gothic architecture. He believed that through light and beauty, he could raise the soul toward God and he raised St. Denis with ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and stained glass. His philosophy of "lux nova" (new light) formed the foundation of all Gothic design.

Suger's vision influenced all subsequent Gothic cathedrals throughout Europe. Without Suger at St. Denis, we may not have seen the incredible lofty Gothic masterpieces that are synonymous with the Middle Ages.

Reflection 

The study of Gothic style made me understand how architecture transcended construction-a spiritual and civic embodiment. I admired most the apparent defiance of gravity in the construction of the Gothic cathedrals-engineering at its finest combined with aesthetics. Stained glass windows, tracery, and vertical lines-all those features seemed to give the contemporary view of heaven on earth. 

I also appreciated how furniture and decorative arts shared the same style, which implies a unified vision for Gothic design from architecture to interiors and furnishings.