Contemporary gothic

Abstract

Gothic architecture saw for the first time saw tall open spaces with an abundance of light all supported by what seemed to be an impossibly light structure. A new architectural language can be created by connecting these principles, that the Gothic architects held in high esteem, with modern architectural practices. One of America’s most famous collegiate Gothic campuses, the University of Chicago, is organized around an elegant series of quads with many more modern buildings surrounding it. This offers a perfect opportunity to place a more contemporary interpretation of Gothic architecture within a context including collegiate Gothic architecture and buildings designed by many of the last century’s most famous architects. The University of Chicago currently lacks a school of architecture, but a perfect site sits at the threshold of the old quad and the more contemporary architecture. In this context, Gothic inspiration can be guided by contemporary design exploration to create a school of architecture that will bridge the gap between the old collegiate Gothic campus and the new architecture of the last century.