POST #4 - LECTURE - NATIVE AMERICAN - GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Native American architecture is often oversimplified, with many picturing only teepees. But the reality was much more complex. Native American communities built all kinds of structures depending on their environment and needs. For example, the Iroquois in the Northeast built longhouses, while the Hopi and Zuni in the Southwest built adobe pueblos. These homes weren’t just practical; they reflected Native American spirituality and their deep connection to nature.

Native Americans believed in animism—the idea that all living things, natural objects, and forces had spirits. This belief extended to their architecture. They used materials that blended with the environment, like clay, earth, and wood, symbolizing their respect for nature, which they called "Mother Earth." Homes didn’t just provide shelter but also embodied a spiritual harmony with the land. It’s fascinating to see how this idea of building in balance with nature influenced how they lived and interacted with the world around them.

The Roman Colosseum, an impressive arena that ultimately fell to an earthquake, served as a site for brutal battles, often featuring prisoners and slaves forced into fights for survival. Comparable to today's Super Bowl, it showcased halftime events involving the slaughter of exotic animals, followed by a dramatic finale where the arena was flooded for cleanup. The Romans revolutionized architecture with their use of domes, arches, and vaults, setting the stage for future innovations. The Byzantine Empire built on these ideas, employing squinches and pendentives to support domes on square buildings, as seen in the magnificent Hagia Sophia, which later inspired Gothic architecture. While the Colosseum focused on spectacle, the architectural legacies of the Romans and Byzantines, alongside Native American structures that emphasized harmony with nature, illustrate the diverse ways cultures express their spirituality and values through design. In addition, Gothic architecture, which thrived in Europe from the 12th to the 16th centuries, took a different approach but was also deeply tied to spiritual beliefs. While Native American structures were designed to blend with nature, Gothic cathedrals aimed to transcend it and aim higher (literally). The architects of these towering structures wanted to make people feel closer to the heavens. Features like rib vaults and flying buttresses allowed cathedrals to rise to incredible heights. This created a sense of elevation you could say, symbolizing a desire to reach beyond this realm and connect with the divine itself. I think it’s interesting to see this contrast: Native American structures embraced the earth and natural light, while Gothic architecture used light and height to create a space that felt closer to the heavens.

Both architectural styles, despite their differences, share a common purpose: connecting the physical world with the spiritual. Native American homes were built with respect for the spirits in the natural world, reflecting their belief in living in harmony with nature. Gothic cathedrals, on the other hand, were designed to lift worshipers’ eyes—and spirits—toward the sky, creating a connection with God.

A Gothic cathedral must include specific design elements: it is typically shaped like a cross with an open back, features a round rose window made of stained glass, and has sharp spires visible from multiple angles. Ribbed vaults support long passageways, while flying buttresses provide structural support for the large stained glass windows. Gargoyles serve both as water spouts and protectors against evil spirits. The cathedral houses a relic—often of a famous saint—and is overseen by a bishop, whose chair is essential. The choir consists of young boys, as no girls were allowed, and the three entrances symbolize the Holy Trinity. Vaulted ceilings are also a hallmark of this architectural style.

Even though these two styles seem very different, they both remind us that architecture is more than just building a space to live in. It’s about reflecting the values and beliefs of the people who create it. Native American and Gothic architecture each offer a glimpse into how different cultures used design to express their spiritual connections with the world around them.