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| Gothic Architecture |
Q. Tell us the
origins of Gothic Architecture.
Civilizations come and go. This, is the transient feature of
life. What defines them is what they leave behind for posterity to see, admire
and learn.
Something similar took place half the globe across from
India, in the continent of Europe, close to 2000 years back. With the Roman Empire
in retreat, Europe was over-run by Germanic tribes such as the Goths,
Visigoths, Angles, Saxons, Lombards and
Vandals. The last lent their name to a particular brand of barbarous rout which
they left behind in most places they conquered. Less of conquering and more of
looting and destruction was what was witnessed.
These tribes defined their own style of construction which
though derided initially by the likes of Christopher Wren as barbarous, rude
and an offence to the eyes, was never-the-less accepted by most from then to
the present as masterpieces of architecture. Despite their vandalizing traits,
they borrowed heavily from the Romans whom they replaced in most places
combined with ther own local influences.
Q. What are the most
distinctive features of Gothic Architectures?
The first thing any
Gothic structure does is arrest your attention! Huge in any way you see it,
these could be seen from miles away with spires touching the sky! And that too
on an impossibly thin base! As you get close, you observe other distinctive
features like arches, sloping roofs at impossible angles, spires etc.
Given these features, Church built in Gothic style still
create a powerful impression on the approaching worshipper, demonstrating both
the might of God and the might of the institution that it represents.
Q. Where is it that
this style of architecture is found in numbers?
It first appeared in France in the 12th century and lasted
till the 16th. The term Gothic came into being during the later part of the
Renaissance. Mostly found all over Europe, it manifested itself in the best and
most magnificent of great churches and cathedrals and in a number of civic
buildings with its distinctive spires, height and great arches, ribbed vault
and the flying buttress imparting a feeling of pride, grandiousness and
opulence.
As it progressed, it found its influence in palaces, town
halls and castles as well. The last being its most enduring legacy. They
generally formed the landmark building in most European towns, rising high
above all the other structures and often surmounted by one or more towers and
spires.
These structures were the skyscrapers of those days with
some being the tallest man-made structures in Europe till then.
Q. Is there a utility
aspect to the way these structures built or was the purpose purely ornamental?
The Gothic style, emphasized verticality and ventilation
achieved by the development of certain architectural features, which together
provided an engineering solution. The structural parts of the building ceased
to be its solid walls which became stone skeletons comprising clustered
columns, pointed ribbed vaults and flying buttresses.
Innovations such as the use of pointed arch which channel
the weight onto the bearing piers or columns at a steep angle were used
extensively. While, structurally it gave a greater flexibility to architectural
form, it also gave Gothic architecture a very distinct character far removed
from the prevailing Roman influence.
Another striking feature were the windows which developed
from simple openings to immensely rich and decorative sculptural designs. The
windows were very often filled with stained glass murals which added a
dimension of colour to the light within the building, as well as providing a
medium for figurative and narrative art.
Q. Where is Gothic
architecture to be seen today, especially in India?
The period of Renaissance saw the decline of the Gothic
style which was revived in the middle of the 18th century in England and spread
thru into the 20th century.
The English carried this forward to their colonies
world-wide, a prime example of this in India being the glanderous railway
station in Mumbai called Victoria Teminus, later named “The Chhatrapati Shivaji
Terminus”.
Q. Any luck for Pune
as regards Gothic architecture?
Two structures come to my mind as regards Pune.
Lal Deval, a Jewish Synagogue resembling a church in classic
English Gothic style. Built by philanthropist David Sassoon in 1867, it is
placed in a conspicuously manner on Moledina Road.
The main building of the University of Pune too is in
classic Italian Gothic style. Built in 1871, it has a 100-feet high tower and
stylized terraced gardens besides many porches and arches. A lot of
ornamentation has gone into making this structure truly grand.
Q. Where does this
lead to?
Architect in Pune like Sovereign Architects do want to
create grandiose structure in Gothic style provided there is a demand for the
same.
Gothic architecture was in vogue when land and material were
available cheap and in abundance, both of which don’t hold true anymore. That
said, there are certain things this form of architecture has taught us, like
the use of height, columns, glass etc which we try to the extent possible to
incorporate into our creations and seem to be succeeding.
Q. Any last words on
Gothic Architecture and Sovereign Architects?
The creators of this style of Architecture where-ever in
Europe have our deepest regards. They were Masters and that too in times when
there were none to teach them. One has to learn by experience despite which they
went ahead and created humongous master pieces which are still standing tall
and will do so for a long time to come.
We, have a lot to learn from them and we shall learn from
them.
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