208A. HOUSE AT CLUNY (TWELFTH CENTURY)
But by the end of the twelfth century the urban dwelling was adapted to the needs of a family. The doors and windows of the house were made to overlook the street. The building consisted generally of a hall or shop, in which a handicraft was carried on, or manufactured goods were offered for sale. It was lighted by a wide arcade of round or pointed arches, and was either on a level with the street, or raised above it by the height of some few steps. A back room, opening upon a courtyard, served for kitchen and dining-room. To the left of the façade a little door gave access to a staircase which led to the first floor, where was a large solar or living-room and an apartment overlooking the courtyard. Above these were the chambers occupied by the inmates of the house.
209, 210. HOUSES AT VITTEAUX (CÔTE D'OR), AND AT ST. ANTONIN (TARN ET GARONNE, THIRTEENTH CENTURY)
The architecture of such houses varies according to the climate, the materials of the country, and the customs of the inhabitants. The houses had no special individuality as long as the windows were treated merely as apertures for the admission of light; but directly these began to take on a certain elaboration, and such features as mouldings or sculptures were introduced in the façades, a system of decoration was borrowed from the neighbouring churches or abbeys of monkish architects, a consequence either of the far-reaching influence of monastic schools, or of the spirit of imitation and force of habit.
Certain houses at Cluny, which date from the twelfth century, exemplify the style. They are built almost entirely of stone. The arcading recalls various details of monastic buildings which the constructors very naturally took as models.
211. HOUSE AT PROVINS (FOURTEENTH CENTURY)
