Postcode 3002: East Melbourne

St Patrick’s Cathedral, on Wurundjeri Country

I love Gothic buildings. It was my favourite style to learn while I studied architecture. I love the details as seen in this beautiful church building. I have always wanted to visit the old churches in Europe that were actually built during medieval times. I love the vaulted ceilings, pointed arches, flying buttresses [haha], the ribbing, the columns, the density of lines, the verticality, the mouldings, the light, the details, the glass, and the level of skill required to create these magnificent cathedrals.

The cross-shaped floor plan with the chapels, the choir section, the nave for the congregation, the burial crypt and the aisles all amounted to a beautiful example of the rule that "form follows function". Basically, I love that the ritual of worship was able to dictate an entire style of architecture. The height was to draw your attention heavenward and the detail was to reflect the beauty and craftsmanship of God. In this period, these cathedrals would be all you could see for miles and miles because there were no other buildings as tall or as grand as these in the towns...so I am sure that the line between glorifying God and civic pride became pretty fuzzy, and is manifested in many other ways today.

For me, I can't help but be overwhelmed with awe and joy and stillness when I see these buildings. To draw it feels somewhat of an honour.