1. Although the continuing demand for monumental religious art meant that most architectural projects involved cathedrals,basilicas, churches, chapels, sacristies, baptisteries, temples and tombs, Renaissance architects also designed a wide range of secular structures, such as palaces, villas, libraries, hospitals, piazzas(town square), fountains, and bridges. Celebrated examples of Renaissance design include:

• the dome of Florence Cathedral (1420-36) and
• the Church of San Lorenzo

1. Renaissance Palace Design---Noble families of the Early Renaissance in Italy built a number of magnificent urban palaces, many of which were designed to look imposing and even intimidating(scary).
   • The front face of a building (the facade), offers clues as to what lies behind it:
   • a huge central door, for instance, suggests power;
   • rusticated stonework suggests strength and the fortifications(defense) of a castle;
   • precious marbles and/or relief sculpture indicates wealth;
   • a cartouche(symbol), accompanied by a family coat-of-arms, is an emphatic symbol of nobility.