Technological Development in Spanish Gothic Vaults Design

Abstract

The principle of complexity as the evolution vector of the gothic style was an idea largely developed by Paul Frankl. The high complexity reached in the 15th and 16th centuries was possible thanks to the geometric resources developed in the workshops of the medieval stonemasons. The search for more sophisticated designs was possible also with the higher standardization, so that the most complex ribbed vault could be built with ribs that had all the same curvature and with voussoirs that were therefore identical. Spanish Gothic architecture has been deeply studied from a historical and artistic point of view. As a complement to these analyses, this study aims to point out some of the geometric methods and technological improvements that late medieval masons were able to develop. In that way, some selected vaults have been measured to study their geometry and design process. Also scale models of some vaults have been built at the Escuela de Arquitectura (Madrid) to validate these geometric principles. More than just a research method, the scale models allow to understand the medieval construction techniques, and they are a powerful pedagogical tool with which pupils can reach a rewarding experience based on the “medieval-way” praxis.

Keywords:

• ribbed vault
• gothic
• construction
• standardization
• pointed arch
• geometry

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This activity is included in the research project Stonecutting Technology in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Areas. Survey and analysis of built examples (BIA2009-14350-C02-02), sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government in the context of the National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation.