Question 1

Florenece vs. Cologne

When comparing the Florence and Cologne Cathedral, one of the first things I notice is the humanistic quality of Florence compared to the more Gothic design of Cologne. Duomo looks to the classical style for it's inspiration. It's all about man as the measure. Brunelleschi went to Rome and saw all the domes, created during a time when Rome was known for all of its' builders and architects. And during a time when man was sure of his own supremacy in the universe. Brunelleschi wanted to recreate the dome, actually he wanted to make it better. Thus designing the Duomo to support the dome was more important than designing it to be a traditional cathedral. The dome was too big to use use wood structurally so brick was used. It is the largest brick dome ever constructed. Because of the use of the dome and lack of buttresses, Duomo is a symbol of renewed antiquity in Florence, Italy.

Internally Cologne uses a lot of stained glass windows to tell stories to visitors. Looking at the cathedral externally, because of the flying buttresses, it looks as if there is a cross being carried by people, at the end are two very tall spires ascending heavenward. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. After the spires were built in 1880, it was the tallest building in the world for four years. The placement of the spires at the entrance can hinder an understanding of a transition from evil to good because you are already at the highest point in the cathedral upon entering.
The people absolutely laid symbols on the cathedral. It being the tallest building in the city was a beacon.
I beleve that it is valid to look to the cathedral as a way to read symbols. You would have to have a basic understanding though of what you are looking at.

Florence vs. Salisbury

Looking at the surface materials, my first impression of Duomo is a sense of lightness and simplicity. It is obvious at first glance of the geometric shapes used in the design. it fits in with the surrounding architecture. It is more low profile than other gothic cathedrals. It also has a lighter palette when compared to Salisbury Cathedral.
Salisbury conveys more the seriousness of religion.The interior is more somber and darker because of the use of darker colors and materials.
Salisbury speaks a more colorful language. It has much more stained glass and painted interior to tell a story. Also the courtyard adds another level to the structure.
Salisbury seems to hide something. The history behind it being built to replace the older cathedral that burned down could have a lot to do with that. Just knowing that some of the old bricks are in the structure makes me feel like they are hiding a story among the newer bricks. When looking at Duomo, as lovely as it, it doesn't seem to hide anything. It speaks a language that is understandable because of the geometry and simple design. The interior colors are so much lighter, giving a sense of lightness as you walk through.
The scalar quality of both cathedrals is a beacon in the city of power. Anyone visiting would feel a sense of awe and power and that they are in someplace special as compared to the surroundings.

Florence vs. Amiens

The architecture of the Gothic cathedral speaks its own language. It clearly shows the building process and the pains it took to reach heavenly and horizontally. The structure is not hidden it is clearly exposed and made part of the ornament.
Amien Cathedral is a shining example of a Gothic cathedral. It is the life blood of Amiens, France. As one approaches there can be seen "flickering fragmented glimpses" of flying buttresses, the central cross and spire. The cathedral, with it's many flying buttresses, stained glass windows and colonnades is "a new reality in repetition". Duomo's structure is hidden. The structure that has made the dome possible is hidden between an inner and an outer dome built of brick. It shows the designers appreciation for antiquity and a return to classicism. For the role that a cathedral plays in a city, Amiens fills the role better as a central and overpowering point of interest.


Question 2

In midevel castles and buildings the kitchen area was seperate from the actual living space. The lady churning butter is most likely in a seperate structure located in a bailey.
http://www.buildmodelcastles.com/html/motte_bailey.html
http://www.replica3d.com/HTMLPages/Medieval/Camelot.html


She could be in a castle in which case it would be away from the great hall where all meals are served. There would be an adjoining hall of wood and stone to keep food warm while being transported from the kitchen to the hall.