Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia was a complex monumental style dome. It was the third church built in the middle of the 4th century, taking 6 years to construct and decorate. Due to its size; being the largest church in Byzantine empire and its status of imperial power it was considered a target in times of Civil unrest. The last reconstruction revealed an 'extraordinary architectural confidence requiring precise measuring and engineering boldness' (N.Parkyn, 2002). The main/central dome reflects light in all directions giving the illusion of the dome floating in mid-air.
This spatial masterpiece represented the 'vault of Heaven' (J.Heyman, Francis Woodman, 2012) whilst providing cover for the vast congregational services, private devotions and prayers. The semi dome shape expresses the ecclesiastical architecture.
During 558 the Hagia Sophia collapsed and the dome was rebuilt 7m higher along with other structural improvements; additional buttressing on the North and East sides. The amendments/additions to the Hagia Sophia helped stabilise the structure by reducing the horizontal thrust line that was present in the lower dome.
The construction of dome is based on opposing forces held in equilibrium, the thrust line of the dome being counter balanced by the semi domes in the West and East and heavy buttresses North and South. It is supported by 4 spherical triangular pendentives allowing for the change in shape from the spherical base of the dome to the square shape of the underlying structure. The pendentives restrain the lateral forces and ensure the loads due to self weight flow to the foundations.
In 1453 the Ottoman Turks invaded the City of Constantinople and converted the church into a mosque, making the necessary changes to the interior with Muslim additions.
During 1931 after Swiss architects had created a remarkable enterprise of consolidation and redecoration the spatial masterpiece was converted into a museum.
The construction of the Hagia Sophia was the most advanced and ambitious monuments of late antiquity.
This spatial masterpiece represented the 'vault of Heaven' (J.Heyman, Francis Woodman, 2012) whilst providing cover for the vast congregational services, private devotions and prayers. The semi dome shape expresses the ecclesiastical architecture.
During 558 the Hagia Sophia collapsed and the dome was rebuilt 7m higher along with other structural improvements; additional buttressing on the North and East sides. The amendments/additions to the Hagia Sophia helped stabilise the structure by reducing the horizontal thrust line that was present in the lower dome.
The construction of dome is based on opposing forces held in equilibrium, the thrust line of the dome being counter balanced by the semi domes in the West and East and heavy buttresses North and South. It is supported by 4 spherical triangular pendentives allowing for the change in shape from the spherical base of the dome to the square shape of the underlying structure. The pendentives restrain the lateral forces and ensure the loads due to self weight flow to the foundations.
In 1453 the Ottoman Turks invaded the City of Constantinople and converted the church into a mosque, making the necessary changes to the interior with Muslim additions.
During 1931 after Swiss architects had created a remarkable enterprise of consolidation and redecoration the spatial masterpiece was converted into a museum.
The construction of the Hagia Sophia was the most advanced and ambitious monuments of late antiquity.