ARCHITECTURE CULTURE & HISTORY 1A : ONLINE FORUM DISCUSSION

CULTURE & HISTORY 1A

Question 5

What are the materials and construction technology or method used?

Materials that are used to built the St Vitus Cathedral is mostly using Limestone. Matthias of Arras and Peter Parler choose to use lime stone because its easier to make the carvings and also decoration. Limestone is made by calcium carbonate, CaCO3. When heated, it breaks down to form calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. Calcium oxide reacts with water to produce calcium hydroxide. Limestone and its products have many uses: for example, in mortar, cement, concrete and glass. They build a quarries just to make limestone.

They also used these unique pillars which is called the double ribbed vault. The vaulting system is not new to Gothic architects, being in use since the start of the movement. Peter Parler, designed his own vaulting system of double cris-crossing overhead arches, instead of the then standard single ribbed groin vault design. The double pair of ribs formed a net-like structure, also maked the building much more stronger, as well as giving Parler's design the name "net vault".

For flying buttress it was first necessary to construct temporary wooden frames, which are called centering. The centering would support the weight of the stones and help maintain the shape of the arch until the mortar was cured. The centering was first built on the ground, by the carpenters. Once that was done, they would be hoisted into place and fastened to the piers at the end of one buttress and at the other. These acted as temporary flying buttresses until the actual, stone arch was complete.The wall then has a greater surface area in which to install windows, as in the design of a religious buildings,

How are the materials and construction technology help making the building historically significant and meaningful?

The flying buttresses are the most important in Gothic structures, because gothic structures having a lot of decoration that makes it beautiful, that's why St Vitus Cathedral needed these flying buttresses to support it. the rose window that is designed by František Kysela that makes it significant and meaningful.

An arch of the flying buttress is a precisely balanced series of blocks, pushed into a bow. Or, more precisely, pushing each other into a bow. The top of the arch stays in place because the sides put enough pressure inwards that the top stone can't shove them aside and consummate its life-long love of gravity. The sides keep from toppling inwards because the top keeps a steady push out on them. It's a constant stalemate. The stalemate in enforced by heavy pillars or walls at the base of the arch. These provided the base which allowed the sides of the arch to push inwards, keeping the top from falling in.

With so many windows around the building without a flying buttress, the building will collapse cause of the glass cant hold the pressure. This church made with so many windows to show the holyness that the light shine in and also making a natural light for the inner of ST Vitus Cathedral.