Art History & Mathematics

 

Art 127 / Math 155                                                                             

Project Two

 Gothic Cathedral

Student Gallery

Objectives: 

·        To understand the construction of a Gothic cathedral, specifically flying buttresses, columns (or compound piers), arches and ribs.

·        To understand the floor plan of a Gothic cathedral and to be able to and construct a portion of a cathedral consisting of a nave bay, side aisles, and flying buttresses.

·        To understand and use correct terminology when describing the elements of a cathedral.  This will be expected during in-class presentations on your final project.

  Project:  Group Assignment and Journal. This is a group project; each group will consist of three-four team members.  Each member of the team will keep a journal on the progress of the project.  Included in this journal will be a contract. (See Step Three for details.) This journal will be the basis for an analysis of the project. (See Step Five below.) There will be some class time given for this project, but groups should expect to meet outside of class to complete the project on time.  Class time will be given on 4/12 and 4/17 to work on this project.  Each group must meet with us during class on April 17th in order for us to assess the group’s progress and ability to complete on schedule.  By that date, your group needs to have started on the project, decided on your building materials, and made a basic timeline for completion of the project.  Material covered in the text, lectures, films, and the lab on 4/11 all are encompassed in this project.

  Due:  This project is due on April 30th at the beginning of class

           Materials:  balsa wood, glue gun, compass, exacto knife, rulers, pencils.  Various materials will be provided, but you may wish to incorporate other materials that you find appropriate for the project.

Procedure: 

Step One. Floor Plan. First each team should design a floor plan which includes all the parts of a Gothic cathedral. This floor plan will not be drawn to scale.  Then, based on a crossing square of 8” by 8”, design a partial floor plan to scale that will be used for your team project.  (We will be asking each group to complete a structure based on this plan. See Step Two for specific details.) Once you know the dimensions of the crossing square it will be easy to design a floor plan for your project.  So, in addition to showing the crossing square, this plan should show the correct proportions for a complete nave bay and side aisles.  Your plan should also indicate where the columns (compound piers) will be placed as well as indicate where the transverse arches and diagonal ribs are located. You may use any appropriate paper for this floor plan.  (We can provide you with paper from a drawing pad.) Be sure to label your plan with the various parts of your cathedral, e.g., crossing square, nave bays, side aisles, etc.

 

Step Two.  Construction. Now that you have your plan, use the materials provided to build a structure that has a complete nave bay with columns, transverse arches, diagonal ribs, aisles, and a buttress system know as “flying buttresses”.  Because of the buttress system, you will have a side aisle, but don’t worry about vaulting the side aisle; concentrate your efforts on the nave vaulting system.

  Step Three. Journal:  Each person in the group will keep his/her own journal during the entire project. This journal should contain the following:

·        A contract, outlining the responsibilities of each member of the group.  For example, if you are going to use any additional materials who will be responsible for getting those materials to the group? 

·        A brief timeline for your project completion.  (Set a few times out of class to meet to ensure completion of your project.)

·        A record of each time your group meets to work on the project, including the in-class work time.  You should record the names of all group members present, what each member contributed, a general overview of what happened, e.g., roadblocks, breakthroughs, or discoveries, and any other comments that you think are relevant.  Record these events for yourself as well as for us so that we can assess the learning process you experienced.

·        The journal will be due on April 30th and should turned in with the project. 

Step Four. Presentation and “Stress Test” Each group should be prepared to give a short (5-10 min.) presentation of your process, problems, solutions and the final product.  The presentations will begin on April 30th, the due date for the project.  In addition to the presentation, your project will be subject to a “stress test”.  That is, the transverse arches, diagonal ribs, columns, and buttresses will have force applied to see if they are structurally sound.

  Step Five.  Analysis. Finally, each member of the group should write an essay on the project.  Your journal entries will be the basis for your essay. The essay should be approximately one to two pages in length, typed or computer generated, and double-spaced with appropriate margins.  Good grammar and spelling are essential.  Your analysis should also incorporate, but is not limited to the following:

(1) The instructions. Were they clear enough to allow you to proceed?

(2) The process. This should include any problems encountered as you began working on the project as well as what was done to work through these problems.

(3) The knowledge.  Having completed this project, do you feel that you now have more insight into the medieval period or are more knowledgeable about the Medieval building process?

Grading criteria:

Process:  33% of the grade. This part of your grade will be based on your effort (for the floor plans and the structure), quality of your work, your attendance and participation in class, and your participation as a team member. You should be engaged personally in this project.  Weight is also given to persistence and experimentation. Be sure to discuss any experimentation or problem solving in your analysis. You should aim to express your understanding of the design of the floor plan and the use of flying buttresses.

 Project:  33% of the grade.  This grade will be based on the mathematical and technical aspects of the construction, precision of your work, and the correct ratios used in your floor plan.  The floor plan is worth 25% of this grade and the construction is worth 75% of this grade.

Oral Presentation & Written Analysis: 33% of the grade.  This grade will be based on your group oral presentation, as well as on your journal and analysis. Each group member will receive the same grade for the presentation, and each person must discuss at least one aspect of the project.  Your oral presentation will be assessed for appropriate length, accuracy of any technical explanations, and your presentation style, e.g., maintaining eye contact, no gum chewing, no caps or hats, etc. Your written analysis will be assessed for logical organization and clarity of writing.  It also will be assessed for correctness of your mathematical analysis. The oral presentation is worth 25% and the journal and analysis is worth 75% of this grade.