RENAISSANCE

ARCHITECTURE
HISTORY SYNOPSIS

SHREYA JAIN

SHREYA JAIN | GD GOENKA UNIVERSITY

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2
STYLE 2
ARCHITECTURE THEORY 3
DIVISION OF RENAISSANCE PERIOD 3
EARLY RENAISSANCE 3
BASILICA DI SAN LORENZO, FLORENCE 3
HIGH RENAISSANCE 5
ARCHITECTURE CHARACTERISTICS 5
PLAN 5
ARCHES 6
VAULT 6
CEILINGS 7
DOORS 7
WINDOWS 8
COLUMNS AND PILASTERS. 8
DOMES 8

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SHREYA JAIN | GD GOENKA UNIVERSITY

REAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE
INTRODUCTION
Renaissance means rebirth. Renaissance
architecture was the period of war for art
and architecture. After Gothic Architecture,
people revolted to bring back the old
traditional architecture back to play.
Renaissance architecture is the architecture
of the period between the early 15th and
early 17th centuries in different regions of
Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival
and development of certain elements of
ancient Greek and Roman thought and
material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance
architecture followed Gothic architecture
and was succeeded by Baroque
architecture.
Although unable to free themselves from the
engineering and design legacy of either
Romanesque architecture (800-1200) or
Gothic architecture (1150-1375), the
architects of the Italian Renaissance sought
their main inspiration from Greek and
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Roman architecture - making liberal use of

Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders,
combining classicism with the new
principles of Humanism upon which so much
of Renaissance art was based. Above all,
they sought to establish the ideal
proportions for a building, based on those of
the idealized human body.
NOTE: (1400-1600AD) A return to classical
ideas unshared an age of awakening in
Italy, France and England
STYLE
Renaissance
structures were
symmetric,
proportionate
and geometric.
Regularity of parts
Orderly
arrangements
of
columns, lintels, plasters as well as use
of semi-circular arches, hemispherical
domes, niches.
FLORANCE CATHEDRAL
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ARCHITECTURE THEORY
During Renaissance, architecture became
not only a question of practice but also a
matter of theoretical discussion. Printing
played
an
important
role
in
the
dissemination of ideas.
DIVISION OF RENAISSANCE PERIOD
Renaissance Period can broadly be divided
in three parts Early Renaissance Period
High Renaissance Period
Late Renaissance Period
EARLY RENAISSANCE
Architectural Orders and principles were
explored
The study of classical antiquity lead in
particular to the adoption of classical
detail and ornamentation
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Space as an element of architecture

middle age
Space logical proportion, form and
rhythm subject to geometry
Example: Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence
BASILICA DI SAN LORENZO, FLORENCE

o It is one of the
largest
churches of
Florence,
Italy, situated
at the centre of main city.
o Latin Cross Plan
o Pendative Dome

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Plan Of San
Di Lorenzo,

Florenc

FEATURES

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o Pointed arches
o Corinthian Columns as returned to the
support of classical roman tradition o
Small windows

MATERIAL o Stone
and Marble o Rock
hard sandstone and
serene stone o Marble
finishes celling of
church o Gold
columns
HIGH RENAISSANCE
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1444-1514
Concept derived from classical antiquity
In the late 15th century and early 16th
century, architects such as Bramante,
Antonio da Sangallo showed a mastery
of the revived style and ability to apply it
to buildings such as churches and city
palazzo which were quite different from
the structures of ancient times.
The style became more decorated and
ornamental, statuary, domes and
cupolas becoming very evident.
The architectural period is known as the
"High Renaissance" and coincides with
the age of Leonardo, Michelangelo and
Raphael.
Example: San Pietro in Montorio
ARCHITECTURE CHARACTERISTICS
The obvious distinguishing features of
Classical Roman architecture were adopted
by Renaissance architects. However, the
forms and purposes of buildings had
changed over time, churches are the one
that the Romans never constructed. There
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was no need for enormous sporting fixtures

and public bath houses such as the Romans
had built. The ancient orders were analysed
and reconstructed to serve new purposes.
PLAN
The plans of Renaissance buildings have a
square, symmetrical appearance in which
proportions are usually based on a module.
Within a church, the module is often the
width of an aisle.

Palladio: Villa Capra or Rotonda

Alberti: San Andrea
ARCHES

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Arches are often used in

arcades, supported on piers
or columns with capitals.
There may be a section of
entablature
between
the
capital and the springing of
the arch.
Alberti was one of the first to use the
arch on a monumental scale at the St.
Andrea in Mantua

VAULT
Vaults do not
have ribs. They
are semi-circular
or segmental and
on a square plan,
unlike the Gothic
vault which is
frequently rectangular.
The barrel vault is returned to
architectural vocabulary as at the
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St. Andrea in Mantua

CEILINGS
Roofs are fitted with flat or coffered
ceilings. They are not left open as in
medieval
architecture. They are
frequently painted or decorated.

DOORS
Doors usually have square lintels. They may
be set within an arch or surmounted by a
triangular or segme
ntal pediment. Openings
that do not have doors are usually arched and
frequently have a large or decorative
keystone.

WINDOWS
Windows may be paired and set within
- a semi
circular arch. They may have square lintels and
triangular or segmental pediments, which are
often used alternatel
y.

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COLUMNS AND
PILASTERS

The Roman orders of

columns were used
Tuscan
Doric
Ionic
Corinthian
Composite

DOMES
Domes were rarely used in the
middle Ages, but after the
success of the dome St. Peter's
Basilica (1506). It became an indispensable
element in church architecture and later in
secular architecture.

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