History and Theory of Architecture - William Liles

  Gothic Architecture and Medieval Domesticity Many architecture historians call the Gothic period the zenith of great architecture. That is even more impressive considering that I competed and continued on after the Renaissance period, which was now as the true birthplace of architecture.  Northern Europe The term Gothic was used in the Renaissance period to describe certain types of art and architecture which did not conform to the standard classical architecture that the period was seeing. This art form was considered inferior to the classical renaissance style by the Italians, which is similar to how the Romans viewed the barbarian tribes of northern Europe. Unlike in renaissance architecture which was based on mathematics and geometry, Gothic architecture focused solely on the idea that they must build magnificent structures worthy of their devotion and glory of God. This meant that little was drawn and most of the buildings today, were successful outcomes of trial and error. This

  From Greeks to Gothic In a previous blog I explored the architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome. And that it was suitable to call it 'thinking architecture' and the genesis of architecture. In this blog I will explore the journey from Ancient Greece to the beginning of Gothic Architecture.  Greek architecture is the architecture of ideas; in Ancient Greek culture we see the emergence of new ways of seeing the world through science and philosophy. This idea of 'thinking about thinking' is characterised by the great philosophers of the time, such as: Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Heraclitus and Pythagoras. They laid the foundations of modern thought and institutions; and in my opinion indirectly gave birth to every new style of architecture, which has evolved around the idea of thinking about architecture. Plato is believed to have started teaching in the shade of a tree by the main gymnasium in Athens and as such, created the first university. Founded upon these new ways