crossribbed

Crossribbed vault, or crossribbed vaulting, refers to a form of ribbed vault in which intersecting ribs create a cross-shaped pattern on the vault’s surface. The ribs form a skeletal framework that supports the masonry and divides the ceiling into a series of panels, distributing weight to the supporting piers or walls. The resulting pattern is both structural and decorative, contributing to the interior rhythm of the space.

Construction and types: A quadripartite crossribbed vault has four main ribs meeting at a central point to form four panels. A sexpartite vault adds an extra rib arrangement, creating six compartments. The crossing ribs are typically complemented by transverse and diagonal members, producing a cross net that strengthens the vault and enables larger spans. The webs between the ribs can be comparatively lighter, while the ribs carry the principal thrusts. This arrangement yields a distinctive interior geometry and line work.

History: Crossribbed vaults developed in medieval European architecture, notably in the early Gothic period of the 12th to 13th centuries, and remained common through the late Middle Ages. They evolved from simpler groin vaults by introducing additional intersecting ribs, allowing taller interiors and more complex plans. Regional variations appeared in rib profiles, boss treatments, and the exact rib arrangement.

Legacy: Today crossribbed vaults are studied as a key element of Gothic engineering and aesthetics. They survive in many historic churches, cathedrals, and cloisters, and have influenced later architectural styles, including revival and neogothic designs.