Collegiate Gothic Style

The term Collegiate Gothic derives from Gothic Revival, an architectural style inspired by medieval Gothic architecture.  Beginning in the mid-18th century, Gothic Revival became a leading building style during the 19th century and was often employed because of its moral overtones for academic, political, and religious buildings. When the founders of Duke were deciding what the architectural style for the new campus would be, the visited many established universities, including University of Chicago, Yale, and Princeton, and came to the decision that a Collegiate Gothic campus within a North Carolina Piedmont forest would be ideal for Duke.

Architectural elements common to the Collegiate Gothic style that can be found on Duke buildings are arches, finials, gargoyles, parapets, and tracery.

clcok face chapeltower arch

kilgo gargoyle tracery