The Technology of Transition: Sexpartite to Quadripartite Vaulting in High Gothic Architecture

With few exceptions, prior to the year 1200, square-planned vaults of sexpartite figuration were used in the high bays of larger Gothic churches. After 1200, in the original construction of all High Gothic churches, only rectangular-planned, quadripartite vaults were used. Previous explanations for this phenomenon have focused primarily on the stylistic implications of the change in vault configuration, while others have pointed to certain constructional differences. Yet none of these adequately explain the sudden shift. This paper, based on an analysis of the structural forces developed during high vault construction, offers a new theory that clearly points to the reason for the obsolescence of the sexpartite systems for the later buildings.