Disrupting Space.

What is it about creating a building that so intrigues us? What is it that leads us to classify and respond emotionally to different types of buildings? Perhaps is is the time period they are associated with. For the Littlefield Home, some may relate it with Medieval Times, the Civil War, or even Music, since it was "used as music practice rooms in the fall of 1957"(346). More importantly, I think it is the influence of shapes and the disruption of space. We characterize shapes in many ways and do not give them much credit. After all, a circle is a circle and a square is a square. What's so inspiring about that? But take six squares, create a box, and tip each of the top corners with a sphere and suddenly the same squares are bold and strong, those same circles fluid and majestic. The more we deviate from these simple patterns, the more we embrace the idea that "we must not say the same thing over and over again... we must no more expect to derive either pleasure or profit from an architecture whose ornaments are of one pattern"(Ruskin, 535) the closer we are to creating art.

I absolutely love how beautifully Ruskin personifies Gothic architecture. "An elastic tension and communication of force"(Ruskin, 535) is most definitely present in the Littlefield House.

Balance and harmony are depicted in the architecture of the Littlefield home.

Even from this distance, it is apparent that the individual and robust elements of this architecture are all dependent on each other and communicating force. We can very romantically view the relationship betweens parts of the structure as conversations in gravity rather than sound. Perhaps one of the most alluring factors of the home is that despite its "perpetual variety of every feature"(Ruskin, 535), there is a certain balance and harmony that ties all of the "roughness of the work"(Ruskin, 535) together in a neat bow.

The asymmetry of the poles at the Littlefield home entrance represent a disturbed, intriguing balance.


The Littlefield House fits Ruskin's idea of a Gothic structure due to its "steep gable"(Ruskin, 535) atop the roof and its "pointed arches with gables"(Ruskin, 535) over doors and windows. Identifying these shapes is not enough, however. What do these particular traits inspire? The grandness of a structure is reinforced by the steep, mighty, and tall gable atop it. When we look up to a structure whose top we feel we cannot reach, we tend to feel smaller and humbled. The arches over the windows give way to an imagination very in touch with nature. Doors and windows are glorified and accentuated because like eyes are windows to our souls, these passages are our means of connection to the outside world.

An aerial view depicts the tall gables and ornamented windows.

Utilizing our sympathetic imaginations, we can animate these portals as well as the grotesque figures that often dot Gothic architecture. This only adds to the beauty, grandeur, and wonder of the style.

Pugin is particularly inspirational because he was "filled with a fervent desire to express his faith through architecture"(on Pugin, 524). Architecture is a form of expression little recognized today amongst bland modern buildings, however it has historically been a great form of expression for religious institutions.

Take for instance, the Milan Cathedral. It is one of the largest Gothic works still standing. Both exterior and interior are equally breathtaking and detailed.


Grand arches line the halls and a high ceiling adds to the beauty.

The towers and the detail of their work are almost as amazing as the attractive asymmetrical pattern in which they are placed.

One tower on the left rises above the others.


Deviating slightly, it is also interesting to note the unique architecture of other faiths and the statement they make. In a Muslim Mosque, we see elements somewhat similar to gothic architecture, such as high ceilings and a multitude of arches. Arches are much more simple and plain. Asymmetry remains present but less extreme and dyes are lighter, natural colors. This can be attributed to the availability of resources in respective areas of the world.

Tall arches are once again present in prayer rooms, perhaps encouraging the same humbling sensation that Gothic architecture does.


In sharp contrast, we can observe the architecture of a Buddhist Shaolin Monastery or Temple. It is similar to Gothic architecture in the fact that grotesque statues are present, and the edge of the rooftops are very ornamented. However, temples are typically very symmetrical, square, and not very tall.

Ornamented, yet simple.