¶ … future house, to be built in the tradition of the Gothic Revival style. This description will include an explanation of the general layout of the house, as well as address the elements of light, acoustics, and color. Further, issues of living space will be addressed, including sleeping, entering, food and storage, and bathing areas. External structure and landscaping will be outlined, as well as internal infrastructure like heating, and "smart-house" wiring.
The Gothic Revival style of architecture is a return to the architecture of the middle Ages. Although popular in Europe, the Gothic Revival eventually became the most popular in the United States and Europe. Early examples appeared in the 1700s, but Gothic Revival did not appear in full force until the 1800s. During this time, churches began to appear in the style. Soon, fashionable homes began to mimic the Gothic Revival style of these churches. While the Gothic Revival style can never hope to mimic the craftsmanship of the original Gothic architecture, it does attempt to take influence from both structure and materials of the era (Columbia Encyclopedia).
Like virtually all other styles of architecture, Gothic Revival architecture is much more than a simple mixture of physical building components. Architecture evokes the senses and feeling, and Gothic architecture is no different in this sense. The architecture brings up images and thoughts associated with the Gothic era that evoke mystery, danger, and a profound spirituality. The Gothic Revival style brings up images of ancient medieval churches, moss-covered stonework, and dark, brooding statues. Gothic architecture recalls days long past, and brings up thoughts of the supernatural and spiritual that are outside of our modern world of Palm Pilots and laptop computers.
Perhaps it is this emotive appeal that makes Gothic Revival so attractive as the chosen style for my future home. If life and architecture were only driven by functionality, I could simply design and build a series of box-like rooms that serve effectively as a shelter from the elements and a living area. However, life (at least a worthwhile and interesting life) is about more than functionality. Therefore, I am attracted to a style of architecture that speaks to much more.
Gothic Revival architecture is a perfect choice for the feelings that I want to convey in my home. I want a feeling of mystery and spiritual grandeur. I would like to come home to a home and feel an iota of that experience of awe that is felt in the presence of a great building. My aim in designing my home will be this: to capture the essence and feeling that mark the Gothic Revival style.
Certainly, many practical constraints will limit my ability to design my home in the Gothic Revival style of architecture. These constraints will include the all-important item of cost, space limitations, and the limitations of area building codes, where applicable. In addition, I wish to build this home in the mountains, creating potential issues with the development of a basement in granite bedrock. This location will also require that I provide a method to heat the house. One serious limitation to my work is the "impossibility of reproducing medieval buildings when there (is) no longer a medieval economy or technology" (Columbia Encyclopedia). Despite these constraints, I am hopeful that my design will hold true to the Gothic Revival style.
The general layout of the building will be a three-storey house, with a full basement. Each storey will comprise of approximately 1,800 square feet. Ceilings will be a non-standard 10 feet in the first two stories, and 12 feet in the third storey of the house. This ceiling height is designed to create an impression of great vertical distance from both within the house and outside the house.
The external finishing of the house will be wood siding, stained a mid-tone grey. Stone...
A major point of the above is that the winners of wars typically write the history books and their reverence and view of history may not be all that positive. Examples like that litter the pages of history including the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire and so on. Architecture is molded and shaped to this very day by countries generally take a dim view of religion and the associated
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