The Pitt Rivers Museum is a rather exemplary example of an Oxford structure employing Gothic-influenced themes. Although one could argue the Gothic era had ended some three hundred years prior, Henry Ackland was able to successfully create one of the world’s most visually stunning as well as artifact-rich buildings of any time. Despite running over budget by almost 300% and having a few incomplete areas such as the inner archway, the Pitt Rivers Museum certainly stands equal to if not above all others when it comes to its Gothic styling. The objective of this paper is to specifically demonstrate how the architecture of The Pitt Rivers Museum is based on Gothic themes. This assertion will be supported by the examination of its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, all of which constitute the primary characteristics of Gothic design. Perhaps the most recognizable of all Gothic design elements is the application of pointed arches and ribbed vaults. The archways leading into The Pitt Rivers Museum were sculptured by hand by hand by expert stones masons led by James O’Shea and are all pointed and ribbed in the truest Gothic sense. The outer archway is complete while the inner archway is unfinished. At the top of the outer archway sits an angel intricately carved in…show more content… With long, sweeping curves, the flying buttresses connect the vertical walls with the load bearing structures intended to support the ceiling. The Pitt Rivers Museum’s buttresses stand out brilliantly as they had to be fortified to support both wrought iron and glass that draped the central hall. This was no small feat as the original iron proved to be too heavy to support resulting in the need to refabricate a different design and materials altogether. The result was a unique, one-of-a-kind design employing both classic Gothic design traits combined less conventional glass
