A Methodological Approach and Geometry-Based Typology of Late-Gothic Net Vaults’ Rib Systems. Presented on Case Studies from Historic Hungary

Extensive literature exists concerning the building and construction techniques of Late Gothic net vaults’ rib systems. Nonetheless, the most influential works on this subject were authored in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries—long after these structures were constructed. During this period, the accuracy of the available survey techniques limited the knowledge about these vaults’ exact geometry. Nowadays, terrestrial laser scanning allows us to gather never-before-evaluated data about them. In this article, we present a new geometry-based typology of Late Gothic net vaults’ rib systems – based on written sources and our own case studies – which challenges some premises of the literature. The typology is accompanied by a thorough explanation of our methodology for geometric analysis. We also accentuate our views on the crucial role of geometric analysis in studying building connections and genealogy.