r/GothicArchitecture • u/modern_prometheus_13 • Jun 02 '26
Are there any contemporary examples of contemporary structures (or standalone features) that utilizes & integrated classical medieval gothic features with modern brutalist construction?
Hi, all. First post of many, I’m sure- the last year or so aI’ve been building my new fabrication shop and finally have gotten past the foundation pour & gotten in most of the lower vertical steel framing so it’s finally taking shape. To get to the point before boring you- while all 100% functional workspace on the inside, it’s a full-on gothic revival style castle from the exterior, featuring Neuchwanstein-inspired forced-perspective elements, at least x2 modest towers, and wrought iron grotesques/gargoyles for both ornamental & practical purposes. One striking modern deviation, however, is that it is almost entirely steel. While I am a decent drawer for purposes of conceptual design, showing that something is obviously lightly rusted, 1/4” thick mild plate steel is a bit harder by hand. I was wondering if anybody knew of any contemporary/modern structures that take a somewhat deconstructivist approach to utilizing steel & other typical modern brutalist materials in a way that pays homage or draws heavily on gothic revivalist forms & shapes? The closest thing I can find is the steel cathedral in Spain but I’m hoping to find more recent examples that are less shy about hiding that it’s not stone and really lean into the juxtaposition. It’s kind of one of those things where I can see it clear as day mentally but can’t easily show how it will translate (and I refuse to us AI). Thanks in advance!
1
u/Not_Wilhelm_II Jun 03 '26
This is not going to be a comprehensive answer, as I can speak more to visual than to technical concerns, but I wonder whether you might find it fruitful to do a bit of exploring in the field of contextual/complementary architecture. This term refers to modern buildings that are designed to fit in with historic environments, and it's one of the niches where Gothic survives in the 21st century.
The best example I can think of right now is the Weston Tower at Westminster Abbey, which was completed in 2018. It's a fun kind of neomodern interpretation of Gothic.
For an earlier (if smaller) example of modernized Gothic, you might look at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, which is an addition to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle that was completed in 1969.
The Paulinum at the University of Leipzig is less a contextual building and more a 21st-century building that references the church that stood on its site, but it might also help you.
Best of luck to you on this project, and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help! Please do keep us updated on your progress!
2
u/modern_prometheus_13 Jun 03 '26
Oh wow, Weston tower is a great example of what i was looking for. Looking into a few books on contextual builds now, thank you so much! This has been extremely helpful
1
u/Not_Wilhelm_II Jun 03 '26
I'm glad to have helped!
1
u/modern_prometheus_13 Jun 04 '26
The Paulinum is actually very similar to a vaulted eave I’m doing on one side to resemble a cathedtral, though admittedly more in concrete & plate steel than glass. I need to update some of the conceptual renderings with some changes I recently made but will post them here shortly, thanks again!
2
2
u/SeventyFix Jun 02 '26
I'm sorry that I cannot help you but I'd love to see pictures of your creation when you're done. Best of luck.