What was clerestory used for?

What was clerestory used for?

In architecture, a clerestory (/ˈklɪərstɔːri/ KLEER-stor-ee; lit. clear storey, also clearstory, clearstorey, or overstorey) is a high section of wall that contains windows above eye level. The purpose is to admit light, fresh air, or both.

Where is the clerestory found?

Where would the clerestory be found in a church? Historically, the term “clerestory” referred to the upper level of a Roman basilica or the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, where the walls rise beyond the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows.

Can you open clerestory windows?

Use of Clerestories for Ventilation Clerestories can be used for natural ventilation strategies, in hot climates. They can be designed to open and to allow a rapid removal of the inside air, while breezes get in through lower openings on the leeward side of the house.

Why is it called clerestory?

clerestory (n.) also clearstory, early 15c., “upper story of a church, perforated by windows,” probably from clere “clear,” in a sense “light, lighted” (see clear (adj.)), and story (n. 2), though this sense of that word is not otherwise found so early.

What is a triforium in architecture?

triforium, in architecture, space in a church above the nave arcade, below the clerestory, and extending over the vaults, or ceilings, of the side aisles.

Why did Egyptians use clerestory windows?

Ancient Egyptians made use of clerestory windows by cutting slits into giant slabs of stone in order to illuminate halls and temples.

What is blind tracery?

Tracery is a form of architectural decoration in which a frame (often a window, railing, or blind arch) is filled with interlacing bands of material. (A “blind arch” is an arch-shaped depression in a wall; tracery that spans a blind arch is known as “blind tracery”.)

Is a clerestory roof expensive?

How Much Do Clerestories Cost? What is this? Clerestory windows cost between $1,000 and $5,000, but it will depend if they are large windows and heir style.

What is an Archivolt in architecture?

archivolt, molding running around the face of an arch immediately above the opening. The architectural term is applied especially to medieval and Renaissance buildings, where the archivolts are often decorated with sculpture, as in the archivolts on the west facade of Chartres cathedral (1140–50).

What is an apsidal chapel?

An apse chapel, apsidal chapel, or chevet is a chapel in traditional Christian church architecture, which radiates tangentially from one of the bays or divisions of the apse. It is reached generally by a semicircular passageway, or ambulatory, exteriorly to the walls or piers of the apse.

What’s the difference between bar tracery and plate tracery?

Unlike with plate tracery, where each stone had to be individually shaped, the elements of bar tracery could be mass-produced to standard templates in the mason’s yard – work that could continue even when it was too cold for lime mortar to set.

Can clerestory windows open?

What is a Voussoir in architecture?

voussoir : One of the wedge-shaped stones used in constructing an arch. See also: arch,archivolt.

What is a clerestory in architecture?

Originally, the word clerestory (pronounced CLEAR-story) referred to the upper level of a church or cathedral. The Middle English word clerestorie means “clear story,” which describes how an entire story of height was “cleared” to bring natural light to sizable interiors.

What is the history of clerestory windows?

The oldest glass clerestory windows still in place are from the late eleventh century, found in Augsburg Cathedral in Bavaria, Germany. In smaller churches, clerestory windows may be trefoils or quatrefoils. In some Italian churches they are ocular. In most large churches, they are an important feature, both for beauty and for utility.

What is the best location for a clerestory window?

The best natural way, according to Wright, is to place the clerestory along the southern exposure of the structure. The clerestory window “serves as a lantern” to the house. “1. An upper zone of wall pierced with windows that admit light to the center of a lofty room. 2. A window so placed.” — Dictionary of Architecture and Construction

How many architecture degrees does Cornell University offer?

Cornell University offers 2 Architecture degree programs. It’s a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2019, 1 Architecture students graduated with students earning 1 Bachelor’s degree.