Arch

Curved structure spanning openings.

Overview

Arches, built with stone or brick, distribute weight, enabling wide spans in various styles.

Core Characteristics

• Curved and structural.
• Weight-distributing.
• Universal prevalence.

Notable Examples

• Roman Aqueducts (Italy, 1st century, semicircular arches).
• Notre Dame (France, 1345, pointed arches).

Architectural Connections

• Roman: Structural focus.
• Infrastructural: Bridges.
• Roman Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Led by Roman engineers, it shapes structural design.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Masonry (technique), Structuralism (theory), Vault (element), Gothic Architecture (movement)