Final answer:
Gothic buildings typically have three levels known as the nave arcade, triforium, and clerestory, which provide structural support and contribute to the vertical emphasis of the architecture, symbolically leading from the earthly to the divine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gothic Architecture and its Three Levels
The Gothic building typically has three levels, primarily for structural support and spatial division, which are referred to as the arcade or nave arcade, the triforium, and the clerestory. The lowest level, the nave arcade, features tall, pointed arches that are slender and graceful. The middle level, known as the triforium, often consists of a gallery with openings or decorative stonework. The highest level is the clerestory, which contains a series of windows providing direct light into the central nave, enhancing both the illumination and the dramatic effect of the interior space.
These three levels are integral to the Gothic design, contributing to the height and openness that characterize this architectural style. The combination of the solid nave arcade, the visually lighter triforium, and the luminous clerestory creates not only a practical division of space but also a symbolic journey from the earthly realm to the heavenly. Gothic architecture is celebrated for its verticality, bringing the viewer's gaze upwards, closer to the divine.