Week: 5 Romanesque & Islamic

The Romanesque and Islamic era was a period that brought designs in Mosque, Churches, and Palaces further. Romanesque Architecture features characterizations by arches, defined spaces, and high ornamentation. Romanesque towns included separation between commercial with large openings on the ground and residential areas with homes on upper floors. Islamic architecture focused more on mosques. Mosques were a main aspect of Islamic architecture that featured prayer halls, fountains, and courtyards. They used horseshoes, pointed arches, and geometric patterns as decorative elements. This era reflects the cultural and religious values of Romanesque and Islamic societies.

Charlemagne's Throne:

As the name states it’s not just any other throne this is Charlemagne's throne. The throne is designed to show status with steps leading to a raised platform where the throne stood. The throne was made out of wood and marble/gold.  The design of it is simple with a high back and armrest. I thought the concept of the throne being raised was interesting as a way to show a level of authority, it’s simple but clear.

Current Application: The Coronation Chair

Located in the United Kingdom, The Coronation Chair also known as King Edward's Throne is a chair that’s used for the coronation of British Monarchs. This throne, like Charlemagne's, represented authority and power.

Great Mosque of Cordoba:

The Great Mosque of Cordoba is a prayer hall for the Islamic located in Spain. Its design incorporates a classical element and Moorish arches. It uses stonework with recycled columns and capitals. The thing that really caught my eye with this piece was the candy cane-like pattern of the arches which is a design take that I think could have been expanded rather than repeating the design.

Current Application: Al Fateh Grand Mosque

Located in Maham, Bahrain, Al-Fathe Grand Mosque is a mosque similar to the Great Mosque of Cordoba. Like the Mosque of Cordoba, Al-Fateh Mosque uses arches and decorative designs that are repeated around the mosque. It also uses natural light and a spacious layout.

Romanesque House:

A Romanesque House in Cluny, 1159 had designs that combined commercial and residential functions. The exterior of the house was made out of bricks and included a large opening on the ground accessible to the public while the upper floor included small private windows. The spaces in the interior were divided into a few main areas for living, cooking, and sleeping. 

Current Application: Samuel Cupples House

Located in St. Louis Missouri on the campus of Saint Louis University Samuel Cupples House takes inspiration from the Romanesque style. It also uses bricks and has similar arch openings at the bottom as well as small private windows on the upper level.

One Step Further: Odo of Metz

Odo of Metz was an Armenian architect who lived in the Carolingian Empire during the reign of Charlemagne. He is most known for his design of the Palatine Chapel. This chapel was used to serve as part of Charlemagne's imperial complex. His design for the palatine chapel was part of the development of the Romanesque style and designs for churches and palaces took inspiration from the chapel. Not much is known of his other architectural work but his role as an architect in Charlemagne's work suggests he was involved in buildings related to the imperial court and ecclesiastical structures.

Extra Links:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH0P9perYUo
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfkNbXpDQ74
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