Week One Cont.

The brief just says 'Gothic' and that covers a very wide range of sub-styles. I think I may have a good chance of finding something that isn't a church. Victorian Gothic, Neo-Gothic and Jigsaw Gothic are all also known as Gothic Revival which began after the main Gothic era (12th-16th century) and became most popular in the early 19th century. The Houses of Parliament is an example of Neo-Gothic. I found a few ideas.

1

One of the first ideas was Strawberry Hill, a villa in Twickenham, London. The outside has been slightly renovated (I assume slightly as the older pictures don't look much different) and is now painted white (Which looks awful). The majority of the interior photos were of a red hallway, which has very intricate ceiling pattern. I don't personally think I would be able to do this room justice which is why I haven't chosen it. 

2

One of the other images which came up frequently, was the library in Strawberry Hill. This would probably be do-able, the only really tasking thing being the frame of the bookcase. But I felt this might be too little. I want to push myself but I want to feel confident that I can make it. 

I thought about it more and decided to look in to something simpler. I searched for interiors of Victorian Gothic houses. I am leaning towards this idea if it's allowed as it allows me to be more creative and I don't just have to make a carbon copy of a boring church. I've thought about possibly designing a hallway/entryway with a staircase and then a door leading off in to a study. It's a fair amount of furniture to design plus the staircase could be a main feature. 

3

As much as I like this idea, I also think it would be hard to get good reference. It seems like most of the images are modern houses that have just been decorated with modern furniture that's supposed to look Victorian Gothic. I don't think it would be accepted as an idea on this premise so I won't dwell on it too much. I'll probably make a quick mood board and present it as an idea but I won't focus on it.

Continuing my search, I next came across a bookstore in Porto, Portugal. Livraria Lello & Irmão or simply known as the Lello Bookstore was created by a Portuguese engineer called Francisco Xavier Esteves. 

4

5

The shop is classed as Neo-Gothic so it would be within the brief. I like to think I would be able to model this as a lot of it is modular and I would just generally like to have a go. Only thing slightly concerning me would be the glass roof but if I can find a good photo of it, I'm sure it would be no problem. 

This interests me so much as it's not where you would normally see architecture of this detail. Plus it's not a cathedral which is a bonus!

References:
1 - https://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/ocs/british_art/photogallery/?image_id=604506

2 - http://londonunveiled.com/2012/09/01/strawberryhill/
3 - http://www.stupic.com/gothic-interior-design/classic-gothic-home-interior-design-rendering-with-dark-mood-wooden-interior/#bc
4 - http://www.panoramio.com/photo/42103252
5 - http://www.eclectitude.com/2012/03/lello-bookshop-portugal.html