A Brief Introduction To The Origins Of Gothic Architecture
The term Gothic was originally used as a derogatory moniker during the latter part of the Renaissance to describe what was then thought of as impure architecture. The Gothic style originated in France during the 12th century and was known at the time as French Style. The Gothic architectural period lasted from the 12th century to the 16th century; Romanesque architecture preceding it and Renaissance architecture succeeding it.
The development of Gothic architecture in England during this period was categorised into three distinct styles by Thomas Rickman; Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular.
During the early 19th century the style resurfaced into what became known as the Gothic Revival. Of the many architects of this period, perhaps the best known was A. W. N. Pugin for his work on the Palace of Westminster.
The Basics Of Geometrical Construction Techniques
To be able to construct successfully the shapes, proportions and lines of Gothic architecture, an understanding of the basics of geometry is needed; perhaps the most important of which is the understanding of bisection in the construction of angles.
Perpendicular Bisection Of A Straight Line
The perpendicular bisection of a straight line results in the creation of a 90° angle. From the drawing, a-b represents the line to bisected. A circle, c, is constructed with it's centre on the line a-b - the radius of the circle isn't important as it serves purely as part of the construction. It should be noted however that the centre of circle c represents the point of bisection. At the two points where circle c cuts through line a-b, construct two further circles, d and e equal in diameter but larger than the diameter of c. At the point of intersection of d and e construct the perpendicular x-y as shown. The line x-y is now at 90° to a-b and bisects it at the centre of circle c.
The Equilateral Arch
Perhaps the most recognizable feature of gothic architecture is the pointed arch. The basic gothic arch is equilateral in construction and forms the basis of many variants.
The construction of the equilateral arch is thus:
From the drawing, the compass is set to the span, a-b. With x-y as the springing line, the compass is positioned at the junction of a-x/y and a curve from x/y-q is draw as shown. The procedure is repeated with the compass placed at the junction of b-x/y, with the point at which the curves join forming the rise p-q. Drawing straight lines from a-x/y to q and b-x/y to q it can be shown that the resulting triangle is equilateral in construction with all angles being 60°.
Setting Out The Extrados & Joints
With the basic arch constructed and forming the intrados, the drawing can be further developed to set out the extrados and joints of the arch stones.
With the compass again positioned at the junction of a-x/y, extrados d is formed at the desired distance from the intrados set out in the previous drawing.
Keeping the compasses at this length, the opposite side of the extrados is drawn from the point b-x/y. By scribing a straight line from the points a-x/y to the extrados d, the voussoir joints can be set out as shown at f-g. Using the point b-x/y, the voussoir joints on the opposite side of the arch can be set out in the same manner.
A PDF version of this document is available
Stone Carving Courses, Stone Masonry Courses & Letter Cutting Courses 2010
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday March 15th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Thursday March 18th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £185
Places Available: 1
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday March 22nd, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £210
Places Available: 1
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday March 25th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information
Course Full
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday March 29th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Thursday April 1st, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information
Course Full
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday April 5th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday April 8th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information
Course Full
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Monday April 12th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information
Course Full
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday April 15th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information
Course Full
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Wednesday April 21st, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Tuesday April 27th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday May 4th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information
Course Full
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Monday May 10th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday May 13th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Tuesday May 18th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Monday May 24th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday May 31st, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 1
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday June 3rd, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Tuesday June 8th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Monday June 14th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday June 17th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Wednesday June 23rd, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday June 28th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Thursday July 1st, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday July 5th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday July 8th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Wednesday July 14th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Tuesday July 20th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday July 26th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday July 29th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Thursday August 5th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Monday August 9th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Thursday August 12th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Monday August 16th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Masonry Courses - Introduction to Stone Masonry
Course Details
Date: Monday August 23rd, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day professionally taught stone masonry course designed to teach students of all abilities the processes involved in the production of architectural stonework. Whether you'r... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Stone Carving Courses - Carving Grotesques And Gargoyles
Course Details
Date: Thursday August 26th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: A very popular 3 day stone carving course for students of all abilities wishing to create grotesques and gargoyles in stone. Using a hands-on approach this carving course takes students from the ba... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
Letter Cutting Courses / Letter Carving Courses - Letter Cutting In Stone
Course Details
Date: Monday August 30th, 2010
Duration: 3 days
Description: This professionally taught 3 day course is an excellent introduction to cutting letters in stone. During the course students are introduced to the basics of both classical and contemporary l... more information and booking details
Price: £190
Places Available: 2
