Desire alone is inadequate ... 16:39 Jan 2, 2015
... to explain the development from Romanesque to Gothic. Durham Cathedral actually used some techniques that were very advanced for the time and that demonstrated knowledge of Gothic architectural advances. In fact, it took more than desire, time and practice to devise the ogival arch, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses. The architects of the time did not have access to modern mathematical calculations of stresses and load-bearing strength of materials, so there was some trial and error involved and some cathedrals did collapse. However, the major advances in engineering techniques (e.g. from round to ogival arches) were derived from new theoretical understanding of how stresses could be managed and were not simply a "natural evolution" due to some vague desire for a more sophisticated style. | 
peer agreement (net): +1
