Buttressing

Supporting walls with external structures.

Overview

Buttressing uses stone and masonry to reinforce walls, enabling taller structures like cathedrals.

Core Characteristics

• Structural reinforcement.
• Enables height and stability.
• Historical significance.

Notable Examples

• Notre Dame (France, 1345, flying buttresses).
• Cologne Cathedral (Germany, 1880, Gothic buttresses).

Architectural Connections

• Gothic: Structural focus.
• Religious: Cathedrals.
• Gothic Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Led by Abbot Suger, it defines Gothic architecture.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Masonry (technique), Structuralism (theory), Wall (element), Classicism (movement)