Gothic architecture revolutionized construction by moving structural weight from walls to a skeleton of stone:
Introduced the foundational trio of the pointed arch, rib vault, and flying buttress. Key examples include the Basilica of Saint-Denis and Sens Cathedral , the first true Gothic cathedral in France.
These external stone arches braced the upper walls against the outward thrust of the heavy roof, allowing architects to replace solid stone walls with vast expanses of glass.
The Gothic era is traditionally divided into three distinct phases, each marked by increasing decorative complexity and structural daring:
Emphasized vertical lines and "fan vaults," as seen in the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey. The Architectural "Trinity" of Features