The neo-Gothic

            The 19^th century or the “picturesque”. It was an era of breakthroughs and innovations and the people lived through a huge revival of many historic styles. One of the styles, which were revived during that time, was the Gothic style. It is called Neo-Gothic.

           

House of Parliament, London

            Britain saw through restorations of many churches and cathedrals and also newly designed neo-Gothic buildings. One such building is the House of Parliament in London called “The Palace of Westminster”.  Sir Charles Barry, using perpendicular Gothic style designed it. It is symmetrically balanced and was built through a span of 28 years from 1840 to 1868. Seeing it from a distance across the water you can observe a horizontal split reflected on the water, which looks quite massive!

          

       Another example of a neo-Gothic styled house is a huge and beautiful building called Strawberry Hill in London. Peter Essex designed interior and parts of the exterior of the house and it was built through a span of twenty-seven years. It was built and owned by Horace Walpole and he housed his treasures and collections in it. Its design is not symmetrical. Walpole was not interested in columns, symmetry or order but he still balanced the exterior and interiors well using classic Gothic arches, rose windows and carved screens.

Strawberry Hill House, London

Strawberry Hill House, London, Window pane

St. Patrick's Cathedral New York

     

       A clear example of balance and perfect symmetry is the St. Patrick’s Cathedral situated in New York. New York has no buildings or structures designed in the neo-Gothic style so this cathedral stands out near it’s towering skyscrapers with their smooth surfaces and modern looks. It is symmetrical on the outside and even the interior is symmetrical. It has huge towering arches, stained glass windows and sculpted designs and patterns.

     

       A return to church and restoration of faith from the less superstitious, reflecting the medieval Christian values.

Strawberry Hill House | Historic House | Twickenham|London. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visitrichmond.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=3502290. [Accessed 24 November 2014].

Houses of Parliament, London. 2014. Houses of Parliament, London. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/housesofparliament.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].

New York Architecture Images- St. Patrick's Cathedral (RC) . 2014. New York Architecture Images- St. Patrick's Cathedral (RC) . [ONLINE] Available at: http://nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID054.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].