The Geometry of Creation

Book excerpt: This book offers a new perspective on Gothic architectural creativity. It shows, in a series of geometrical case studies, how Gothic design evolved over time, in two senses: in the hours of the draftsman's labour, and across the centuries of the late Middle Ages. In each case, a series of computer graphics show how a medieval designer could have developed his architectural concept step by step, using only basic geometrical operations. Taken together, these analyses demonstrate remarkable methodological continuity across the Gothic era, and the development of sophisticated permutations on venerable design themes.