Neo-Gothic Architecture in Britain

"Gothic" is the name for a particular style of architecture epitomized by Chartres cathedral in France (picture at right), which dates to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Generally characterized by huge, high interior spaces and filigree stonework, the French Gothic cathedral reached to the heavens and let in the outside light through stained-glass windows. This page examines the Houses of Parliament in London, begun in 1835 in a Neo-Gothic style. Neo-gothic, because there are elements of Gothic architecture but the building dates much later, and it isn't a complete copy of the Gothic. For one, it's a government building, not a church.
Chartres Cathedral

Click on the image to get a close-up
Houses of Parliament
Sir Charles Barry and A. W. Pugin
begun 1839

Click on the image to get a close-up
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
Barry and Pugin
begun 1839

Sir Charles Barry and A. W. Pugin collaborated on the design of the Houses of Parliament, and won the competition for their design in 1835. Pugin created the Gothic detail on the exterior and interior, while Barry dealt with the overall design. Why a Neo-Gothic style here? There were a few different reasons. Those in favor of the Gothic saw it as a more spiritually pure and artistically honest style than the Neo-Classical. Because it was connected to church architecture, and because the detailed stonework required a great deal of skill and artistry, Gothic was valued as a reaction against the industrialization of building and artistic output. Ironically, this type of architecture was well-suited to the new medium of iron, and architects who liked the Gothic style used iron in order to reveal its artistic qualities as well as its practical side.

So what does it mean that the Houses of Parliament were done in this style? Why not Neo-Classical, do you think? (Check out the links below to the Neo-Classical pages for more info on this.) The Gothic Revival or Neo-Gothic didn't get too far beyond Britain. There are a few skyscrapers in U.S. cities which use Gothic elements; can you think of any buildings that exhibit this type of style?

Neo-Classical Architecture
Britain | India | B&I Neo-Gothic Architecture
Britain | India | B&I

Hybridity in Architecture
India in Britain | British/Indian in India | Hybridity

© 1998. Created by Rebecca M. Brown. Last updated 4/18/98.

	Click on the image to get a close-up Houses of Parliament Sir Charles Barry and A. W. Pugin begun 1839	Click on the image to get a close-up Big Ben & Houses of Parliament Barry and Pugin begun 1839
	Sir Charles Barry and A. W. Pugin collaborated on the design of the Houses of Parliament, and won the competition for their design in 1835. Pugin created the Gothic detail on the exterior and interior, while Barry dealt with the overall design. Why a Neo-Gothic style here? There were a few different reasons. Those in favor of the Gothic saw it as a more spiritually pure and artistically honest style than the Neo-Classical. Because it was connected to church architecture, and because the detailed stonework required a great deal of skill and artistry, Gothic was valued as a reaction against the industrialization of building and artistic output. Ironically, this type of architecture was well-suited to the new medium of iron, and architects who liked the Gothic style used iron in order to reveal its artistic qualities as well as its practical side.
	So what does it mean that the Houses of Parliament were done in this style? Why not Neo-Classical, do you think? (Check out the links below to the Neo-Classical pages for more info on this.) The Gothic Revival or Neo-Gothic didn't get too far beyond Britain. There are a few skyscrapers in U.S. cities which use Gothic elements; can you think of any buildings that exhibit this type of style?