An Introduction to Architecture

This week we began studying architecture -- cathedrals, in particular -- in anticipation of our trip to Washington, DC, where we will visit the majestic and beautiful Washington National Cathedral.

The students provided lots of fascinating definitions of architecture, and we concluded that it involves both the art and the science of designing and constructing buildings. In order to begin practicing their architectural skills, the students looked at photos of different styles of cathedrals. Their observations were impressive:

Caroline: There are very few windows, and the cathedral is overall very simple.

Sanaa: It has a solid surface, with not that many decorations.

Carter: It has a washed, whitish color, with a little pointy tower detail leading towards the sky.

Sammy: There seem to be arches around the doors, and a mosaic kind of pattern on the edges of the roof.

Isabel G.: There are not a lot of extravagant details on the outside of the building.

Caden: I notice a rose window at the top of this cathedral.

Willow and Chloe Z.: Each pair of columns holds up a Roman arch, and the arches hold up the roof.

Anna and Jack M.: The inside of this building is very dark.

Tucker: I wonder why the Romanesque cathedrals are not very fancy?

Parker: This cathedral is trying to make you focus more on what the speakers are saying, instead of focusing on elaborate designs. [Parker's analysis, mirrored by a similar thought from Layla, is awesome. Did Leona Tut give them some architectural inspiration today?!]

Sanaa (#2), Anna (#2) and Marin: Why aren't there more windows?

Carson N.: The roof is very low, and the inside of the building is very plain.

Sophia: There are so many different patterns on this building, and they are all symmetrical.

Tucker (#2): It is big and bold, like it is trying to grab your attention.

Layla: There are a lot of different volumes and depths. There are points and curves that blend and work together.

Chloe M.: Why do different cathedrals have really different architectural styles?

Eliza and James B.: Why are Gothic cathedrals so much bigger and fancier, with so much more detail, than Romanesque cathedrals?

Case: What made the Gothic architects think that Roman arches were bad or needed improvement?

Brynne: Is there a meaning to the designs on these cathedrals, or are they just decorative?

Caspar: How long does it take to build one of these cathedrals?