RENAISSANCE PERIOD

Renaissance started around the 15th century. It means rebirth of classical solidity and
human expression. In that period, artists rejected the concept of divinity in Gothic architecture
and then used human scale and proportions in it. They followed Vitrivius’ and Da Vinci’s
mathematical thoughts and proportions, scale and pure geometry became dominant. Modular
design which is based on square and circle was seen as a pure geometry and it was attributed
to God and human relation. More Classical structure (mostly by Roman) was used than a
Gothic. Mannerism is mostly used by Michelangelo in the period of High Renaissance. Base
of the mannerism is experimentation of the classical features of Renaissance. It ended with a
loose of geometry, illusion, playfulness. Oval was used rather than a circle.

Ospedale degli Innocenti (foundling hospital) by Brunelleschi is the first example of

that period. Ideal of circles, cubes, squares was used in it. Structurally it is based on
proportionally Roman system. After the braking of the religious dogma, it just aimed at meet
the demands of orphans. Also, the distance between columns are equal to the height of the
columns. In all structure proportions in whole numbers was applied. Other building of
Brunelleschi, Santa Maria della Fiore, octagonal shape is dominant. Cross vault and pointed
arches used in it. Especially, there was a problem about centering. Dome has a large span
that’s why Brunelleschi analyzed the Pantheon and built it on all sides to avoid mass
centering, one stone ring top of another than they act like keystone of them. To balance the
height, steep domical vault and double shell construction with ribs is used. With the
herringbone brick work, there is no need for key stone. After years, Brunelleschi added the
exedra and lantern which is to close the oculus and both to balance the dome. All of them is
designed for solving the centering problem and keep in balance the dome. Also, Brunelleschi
designed machines to lift up the brick and stone.

Another important Renaissance person is Alberti, who thinks that harmony is created
by the natural laws in number, placement and proportion. In Santa Maria Novella, he uses
pediment and column (temple façade), scroll-like, entablature, attic and engaged columns. An
inside of the building has Gothic architecture structure but he covers outside with a
Renaissance structure.

Bramante prefers centralized plan for religious building like many others in that
period. In Tempietto, height and the width of the building are equal to each other and also
ratio was applied in other parts especially in drums. He also designed the new Saint Peter’s,
by adding a wide martyrium place in the center. Greek cross plan with Roman barrel vault and
surrounded hemispherical domes are the main points in his design. Design has equal size of
arms around the circular center. However, after Bramante, Michelangelo thickened the walls
in Saint Peter’s and created a more solid appearance in the interior. For the exterior, he added
the colonnaded temple front with breaking the centralized symmetric plan to emphasize the
entrance.

In a Manneristic manner in Rennaissance, Palladio was used especially in the exterior

part of the building, simple cubical and elemental forms. In Villa Capra, there are four equal
portico with a Greek façade entrance, oculus and centrally dome. Dome hadn’t never been
used as in this function before, in the residential building. It had a divine meaning. Thanks to
its symmetry, in the center nature can be visible from all that views dominating the landscape.
In the Palazzo del Te, which is the palace of leisure has the first floor main areas with the
surrounding garden. Different rhythms used in each wall to apply mannerism in it when come
to the corner. In the façade, normally heavy load bearing elements was used, structural logic
was played. Key stones look like slipping away because of the use of flat surface. In another
example, Villa Lante deals with the sloping topography. It brakes the borders of pure
geometry, become ornamented. Bottom to top, it is cultivated to wilder form in trees.
Landscape is dominant in that axial design.

BAROQUE PERIOD

Baroque is a dynamic architectural style that spread from Italy to Europe in the 16th,
17th, and 18th centuries. The facades consisted of ovals designed as curved walls. These
dynamic lines and surfaces combined art and architecture to become one entity, creating
illusions on light, color and texture. Baroque started as part of anti-reform in Italy. The
Catholic church aimed to divert the attention of the masses from Protestantism. To do this,
churches have become more flamboyant than ever before. The baroque style creates illusion
largely with new designs and constructions. The straight, hard lines of the renaissance were
replaced by folds, indentations and protrusions. Dramatic effects with light and shadow have
been created on almost any surface. The structures are filled with dark niches, narrow areas
and corners. In contrast with this, illuminated columns, wavy surfaces, light and shadow
obtained from high windows create Baroque aesthetics.

One of the important person who used the Baroque style is Francesco Borromini. The
genius devastating tradition is seen in the form of using complex spatial compositions. He
created a sense of movement by using a system created by the overlap of triangles and ovals
while the surfaces are still stationary. San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane is one of the first
examples of the bold style of Borromoni. The layout plan is based on overlapping ovals.
There are altars and chapels on the walls. The concave and convex facade fluctuates despite
the vertical columns on each floor. Thanks to niches, sculptures are engraved on the surfaces,
the dome is decorated with stars and crosses.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini is the rival of Borromini. Italian baroque architect Bernini’s
works reflected anti-Catholic ideals. Bernini who is a master at creating illusions through
painting, used sculptural surfaces to express movement and emotion in his architectural
works. In the San Pietro Square, instead of the traditional, central and balanced drafts of the
renaissance, he created an ellipse area with the half oval of the two doric columns standing
separately. Four rows of columns align straight from the oval front courtyard towards San
Pietro, slightly expanding when approaching the cathedral, creating a sense of distortion in
perspective and making the church larger than it is.

The Rococo architecture flourished in the 18th century and brought the illusion and
decoration of the baroque era to a new extreme. This style gained popularity by the ruling
class in many parts of Europe. The word rococo comes from roccaille, which means "stone
dressing” in French. This name has probably developed to describe plaster work that adorns
the late Baroque interiors. Rococo architecture is much more subtle than the preceding
baroque style. Light colors and spacious atmospheres were preferred. There were mirrors and
jewels on the surfaces. the french revolution signaled that this extravagant style would end.

The Amelienburg was built in Nymphenburg by François Cuvillies. The most

important part of the interior, Mirrors Hall is decorated with blue and white, the national
colors of Bavaria. Hunting scenes were drawn on the walls and the ceiling was covered with
blue tiles.

Deniz Su Tepe

Elanur Gür

ADA 264 Section-1