Gothic Style and Informatics: Structural Analysis of Gothic Churches

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Manfred Nagl
• Subject Area: Software Engineering and Programming Languages
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 265242881

The aim of this proposal is the structural analysis of Gothic churches of the well-known classes by an Informatics method. We regard French cathedrals, the English variant thereof, minsters of Southern Germany and brickstone churches of the nordth. The method consits of a virtual construction of at least one example of the above classes, the determination of the variation within the above classes, and the difference and commonalities between the classes.We als "construct" new churches.The virtual inside-out design uses an industrial CAD tool in a methodoligical, multilevel, and interactive process starting with a pattern built up from basic elements by muliple application, determining the corresponding structural elements (shape) and form elements.(details). Elements and their composition are reused. Therby we aproduce a description of the structural analysis. We hope to initiate a new discussion between Informatics and History of Buildings.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants