■英語〜英検1級要約問題を攻略する〜 芸術(建築)編
■トピック
Throughout the ages, architectural designs have progressed gradually in different regions. Architectural designs incorporated art to develop what we see today in the world’s cities and towns. Buildings are curved with unique and incredible styles and profiles. Most of the buildings in big cities possess ideological designs that were developed hundreds of years ago . Indeed, some dating back to as early as the 800 AD. Prehistoric architectural designs came from different origins. Their uniqueness can be traced to their arts and stylistic finishing . The Romanesque and Gothic styles are by far the best architectural designs with unique artistic elements incorporated in each. The two styles have a clear ideological difference and similarities that have led them to develop into modern architecture. This paper will compare and contrast the two architectural designs in detail.
There are clear similarities between the Romanesque and Gothic architectural designs. The similarities can be traced to many forms used in both styles. Moreover, there are unique features used in the Gothic style that evolved from Romanesque architecture. They include the use of vaults and arches. The use of arches in both styles is a clear similarity that highlights the connection between the Romanesque and Gothic styles. Furthermore, towers were used in both architectural designs.
The Romanesque style incorporated the use of irregular towers as compared to the asymmetrically balanced towers used in Gothic art. Timber was used in the construction of roof trusses in both architectural designs. Another similar feature used in the Romanesque and Gothic styles was the use of columns. The two architectural designs also incorporated the use of multi-storeyed facades . Vaulting was also used in the Romanesque design before it was later improved in the Gothic style. In both architectural designs, the size and strength of the building were an imperative option. Architects in both designs put more emphasis on the size and weight of the building to avoid collapsing.
Despite the evolution of the Gothic style from the Romanesque architecture, the two models were recognized as separate designs after clear differences appeared. Scholars have concluded that the differences can be attributed to technological development and improvisation of the Romanesque architecture to Gothic architecture. However, there are different designs believed to be signature Gothic designs. They include the use of flying buttresses, ceilings with vaults, and the pointed cruciform and arches. For instance, non-pointed arches were used in the Romanesque architectural design. The development of the Romanesque design resulted in a significant increase in the height of buildings under the Gothic architecture.
Additionally, the use of flying buttresses reduced the weight stress from the facades as in the Romanesque designs. The Gothic architecture consisted of large windows with stained glasses while in Romanesque, the windows were very small. The glasses in the Romanesque were less stained. The difference between the two designs can also be seen in the use of vaults where groin vaults are used in the Gothic architecture and barrels vaults were used in the Romanesque style. A groin vault involved multiple intersecting vaults while a barrel vault was made from a single curve. Gothic walls had decorations such as gargoyles compared to Romanesque walls that exhibited fewer adornments. The Romanesque architecture used thick frames in their buildings. On the other hand, the Gothic architectural designs used slender skeletons for their walls.
■回答
The essay compares Romanesque and Gothic architectural designs, highlighting their similarities and differences that have influenced modern architecture. Both styles share features like the use of arches, vaults, towers, timber roof trusses, columns, and multi-storeyed facades, with an emphasis on building size and strength to prevent collapse. Despite these similarities, Gothic architecture evolved from Romanesque and introduced innovations such as flying buttresses, pointed arches, groin vaults, taller structures, and large stained-glass windows. Gothic walls are adorned with decorations like gargoyles and use slender skeletons, contrasting with the thicker frames and fewer adornments of Romanesque walls.
■要約のポイント
要約に盛り込むべきポイントは、ロマネスク様式とゴシック様式の建築デザインの比較と、それらが現代建築に与えた影響です。具体的には、両者の共通点としてアーチやヴォールト、塔、木製の屋根トラス、柱、多層のファサード、建物のサイズと強度への重視を含めます。また、ゴシック様式がロマネスク様式から進化し、フライング・バットレス、尖頭アーチ、交差ヴォールト、高層建築、大きなステンドグラス窓、ガーゴイルなどの装飾、細い壁骨組みなどの新たな要素を導入した相違点を強調します。