Thew R and the B are two styles of architecture that can be attributed to having a great impact on modern-day designs. They were commonly used between the 5th and the 15th centuries a period which is also referred to as the medieval period. Though the two styles of architecture are similar in various ways, they share some differences. The styles were commonly used in building churches and used religious imagery in which God is placed on the top of the hierarchy, and men and women are placed at the bottom.
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Byzantine design is one that is associated with the Byzantine Empire and is considered to be one of the most influential styles of the Middle Ages. The Byzantine Empire is one that is present-day Istanbul. This type of architecture was characterized by central domes that reflected Christian ideas and symbolism, whereby it represented the domain of God in heaven. The dome was surrounded by a number of small stones which had spaces with ceilings that were vaulted. The designs were church-related in every aspect and are related to the flourishing of Christianity after AD 313 when the Roman emperor announced that he was a Christian. Thus Christians were allowed to worship without threats which also created the need to have worship places that could accommodate them. It was also concentrated in the capital of the Roman Empire at a place referred to as Byzantium. Additionally, the design spread through the conquest of new territories and the spread of Christianity through Christian rulers involved in the conquest.
The R style of architecture is considered to be a fusion of the Byzantine, and other styles and is a result of the expansions of monasticism which occurred on the 10th-11th centuries. There was a great need to build larger churches due to the increase in the number of monks and priests that needed to use the facilities. Additionally, the use of masonry had begun to replace the use of timber at that time because it was fire-resistant. The increased use of the Romanesque designs influenced other later designs and as essential to the spread of Christianity all across Europe and was also significant in the spread of the Roman Empire and its influence. At this time, Europe was gaining a sense of political stability after the fall of the Roman Empire.
In the B style of architecture, a variety of techniques were used to achieve the desired style. This included sophisticated methods of having well-built and deep foundations, metal chains that were placed horizontally in addition to using the wooden tie-rod systems in the vaults. The engineers at the time used pendentives to ensure that the domes were and remained elevated. This ensured that the dome remained arched ta the top, which gave it great support to remained at the required height. Additionally, a number of human figures were part of this style of architecture. Spaces around these figures were flattened, and there was no effort to ensure that the figures were three dimensional because of the use of lines and colours without shadings. The figures thus did not look realistic and were mainly an attempt to signify the realm of God as being separate from man. The use of Clerestory windows allowed the presence of the much-needed light and ventilation for the buildings. Unfortunately, the use of concrete did not give the building they require tension which was a challenge to the engineers.
In Romanesque construction style, there was an emphasis on large open spaces that were covered by a wooden ceiling that was often flat and that was supported by a large number of interconnected beams. Barrel vaults were extensively used, which was in the form of a large arch that was long enough to cover the length of the nave in a majestic fashion. The Romanesque style of architecture involved the use of vaults that spanned wider and wider, ensuring that the walls on which the vaults rested were thick enough to carry the excess weight. This was aimed at preventing thrust that would result from the tendency of the arched structure to push forward at the base. Most of the walls were windowless with intermittent reinforcing pillars as a way of introducing light to the building. Though the building ensured that there were greats strength and stability using the thick vaults, however, there was a problem with the ribbed vaults because the diagonal span was often higher and larger than that which appeared in the transverse span which introduced a structural weakness.
Original Byzantine designs were square-shaped with central floor design. The building often had one central dome which was supported by a square base that rested on half dome pillars. The design involved a series of columns inspired front designs from the middle east. Additionally, mosaic decorations were common with a number of human figures used in the designs. Ornamental carvings often included and rested on gold backgrounds and were situated above the figures to emphasize the distance between God and man. The mosaic blended well to the dome ceilings. It also featured four arms of equal length in addition to a square central mass.
Romanesque designs were mostly used in churches and instead of massive central domes, the engineers deployed the use of horizontal designs that towers and arched forms. The arches were semi-circular and were used for doors, windows and arcades. The buildings have few windows, barrel or groin vaults, and a large tower with smaller towers. Additionally, the walls were mainly massive and thick, and each building was clearly defined in a symmetrical design. The designs offered simplicity and were used across different parts of Europe. Sculptures added to the design of the structure though they were mostly disproportionate and featured illogical relationships between the depth of the backgrounds and the sizes of the figures.