Renaissance Architecture

Renaissance architecture is characterized by symmetry and order, and harkens back to the classical times of the Greeks and Romans.  Architects in the 1500s rejected the elaborate and gaudy style of Gothic Architecture and moved towards a more orderly style.

St. Peter's Basilica with an obelisk in the front.

The Renaissance style was popular in Europe in the 16^th and 17^thcenturies and brought back such design features as ordered columns, pediments, porticos, and entablatures that were once used by the Greeks and Romans.  Some churches were built based on Roman designs, such as pedimented facades and giant pilasters and modified entablatures with a Roman arch.  Many Renaissance palazzos featured arcades with simple rounded arches and decorated capitals, and symmetrical vertical windows above the arches separated by a belt course.  The main ideas in Renaissance architecture are symmetry, proportion, and order featured in columns, domes, pilasters, lintels etc.

St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City is one of the largest churches in the world and is the center of Catholicism.  It is the main feature of St. Peter’s square and is of the Renaissance style.  Michelangelo was the main architect for most of the construction of the façade and was also responsible for the large iconic dome that sits atop the basilica. The façade of St. Peter’s is clearly Renaissance, and was constructed from 1506-1626.  It features symmetrical pedimented windows, pilasters and columns, and has a pediment above the main entrance and the window the pope greets the crowds from.

Renaissance apartments in Tarquinia

Behind the façade is the portico, extending the length of the front of the church, and leads to the entrance of the interior. The floor plan of the basilica is a Greek Cross, harkening back to classical times. The massive dome above the basilica is an ellipse, rather than rounded and was inspired by Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence and the Pantheon.  St. Peter’s square also includes and obelisk, which was common during the Renaissance.  Architects implemented these as motifs based on ancient designs.

St. Peter’s is a more extravagant example of Renaissance design.  In Tarqunia, a coastal Italian city in the Lazio region, many of the existing apartment buildings are of Renaissance style.

Renaissance gardens in Bagnaia at Villa Lante

They feature simple design, symmetry, and order.  The facades feature stucco and evenly spaced windows separated by story by horizontal belt courses.

Another popular thing to design in Renaissance times was the garden.  Symmetry and order are the main design components here.  Paths are geometrical and plants are well-trimmed and not over-grown.  There is nothing very natural about Renaissance gardens.  They appear to be more of a man conquering nature kind of ideal.

~ by nicoledenering on November 10, 2011.