Salisbury Cathedral: Illustrated Case Study
Academic Work 2017
Arch 242 Cultural History: Robert Jan van Pelt | Skills Used: Rhino, Illustrator | In collaboration with: Favour Adesina, Madeleine Lachance, Sarah Mason, and Isabella Suppa
CAD Drafted Front Elevation
Wiltshire, England. Early English Gothic Cathedral. 1220-1258, 1320 (tower & spire addition)
Located within the English county of Wiltshire, Salisbury Cathedral stands at a height of 123 meters and overlooks the medieval Cathedral town of the same name. Constructed in the Early English Gothic style, the 13th century Cathedral at Salisbury is often compared to it’s contemporaries at Wells, Lincoln and Westminster Abbey. However, Salisbury supersedes all precedent in scale, height, and structural success. The interior spaces are separated into three main layers along the nave: the arcade, triforium and clerestory. At Salisbury cathedral, the traditional Gothic vertical fluidity is absent and is replaced with a sense of horizontal infiniteness with this method of layering spaces. Each of these levels are modulated throughout the span of the cathedral, with slight variations in Purbeck marble columns at the arcade level to define the varying spaces in plan. The 14th century tower and spire are the most identifiable characteristic of the cathedral, stating it’s presence and setting itself aside from other Gothic style cathedrals. This addition made Salisbury Cathedral the tallest masonry structure in England. The tower and spire placed an extra 6500 tons of load to the existing structure and required much reinforcement. An elaborate use of medieval ironwork was used to run iron tie bars through the masonry walls, joined together on the interior through braces and ties and can still be seen today. A series of flying buttresses were required to offset the weight both internally and externally around the base of the tower in the triforium and clerestory levels. The eastern transept is adorned with a strainer arch- a later addition to offset the settlement that continued until the 17th century. Salisbury Cathedral is not only a significant building for its sheer size, but also for its place in architectural history. This cathedral represents a time of change in England- the hunger to settle new lands, test new technologies, and create a space of worship.
Located within the English county of Wiltshire, Salisbury Cathedral stands at a height of 123 meters and overlooks the medieval Cathedral town of the same name. Constructed in the Early English Gothic style, the 13th century Cathedral at Salisbury is often compared to it’s contemporaries at Wells, Lincoln and Westminster Abbey. However, Salisbury supersedes all precedent in scale, height, and structural success. The interior spaces are separated into three main layers along the nave: the arcade, triforium and clerestory. At Salisbury cathedral, the traditional Gothic vertical fluidity is absent and is replaced with a sense of horizontal infiniteness with this method of layering spaces. Each of these levels are modulated throughout the span of the cathedral, with slight variations in Purbeck marble columns at the arcade level to define the varying spaces in plan. The 14th century tower and spire are the most identifiable characteristic of the cathedral, stating it’s presence and setting itself aside from other Gothic style cathedrals. This addition made Salisbury Cathedral the tallest masonry structure in England. The tower and spire placed an extra 6500 tons of load to the existing structure and required much reinforcement. An elaborate use of medieval ironwork was used to run iron tie bars through the masonry walls, joined together on the interior through braces and ties and can still be seen today. A series of flying buttresses were required to offset the weight both internally and externally around the base of the tower in the triforium and clerestory levels. The eastern transept is adorned with a strainer arch- a later addition to offset the settlement that continued until the 17th century. Salisbury Cathedral is not only a significant building for its sheer size, but also for its place in architectural history. This cathedral represents a time of change in England- the hunger to settle new lands, test new technologies, and create a space of worship.
CAD Drafted Worm's Eye View
CAD Drafted Plan
CAD Drafted Spire Detail