BP6, Kennedy, Blog Post #6, IARC 221

Cathedrals defined by Region

In class we looked at Cologne Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral, focusing on inside/outside.  Outside we can clearly see regional differences between the two.

Salisbury is a much more horizontal structured building which almost looks Romanesque in style.  The Cathedral was built before the town was conceived and sits on a pastoral lawn.  The building itself is masses more evenly with one central spire.  Buttresses appear more compact and restrained and there is a great deal of stacking on the facade.

Cologne focuses on an extreme verticality.  Columns are masses together on the facade drawing the eye up and up to the sky and heavens above.  The cathedral was built after the town was established.  Placing the cathedral in an urban environment meant less space.  This contributes to tight and upright massing that we see.  Flying buttresses are flamboyant and extremely tall.

These differences are based on region.  Different aesthetics and specific locations shaped these buildings.  The interiors are extremely similar.  Both have extremely high naves and are full of light.  both also have a strong sense of light.  This strong sense of light is what ties all the Gothic cathedrals together and reinforces the universal concerns that were present at the time.

Cologne Cathedral was built after the city was built.  This forced the cathedral to be built in a more compact manner.  This can be seen by examining the cathedral and it's surroundings.  This also is one of the reasons for the extreme verticality of the the cathedral.

In contrast, Salisbury cathedral was built before the town around it.  The cathedral is in a very pastoral setting.  There is plenty of land around for the cathedral to spread out on.  This is one of the reasons the cathedral showcases the horizontal lines that it does.

In this image you can see the extreme verticality of the cathedral.  The style of the facade strengthens this design aspect.  the great number of columns across the front draw the eye upward to the sky, they stretch to infinity.  Directing you to look to the heavens as God and Sky have no boundaries.

Salisbury cathedral focus on a more English design attribute, the horizontal line. Rows of Triumphal arches make up the facade  These stacks of triumphal arches create strong horizontal lines, tying the building to the land where it sits. Additionally; this width frames the entrance, framing godliness and holiness.

The streets around the Cologne cathedral are much more urban in nature.  Buildings are taller, streets are more narrow, all creating a style that mimics the verticality of the cathedral.

The Streets around Salisbury cathedral are wider and the building are not as tall.  The entire town is more rural.

Below is my cognative map showing how fear made most everything the church did possible.