In the Romanesque period, many architects were showing massiveness and were fortress-like. However, in the Gothic period, the architects had a tendency towards its verticality and ornaments. It is also revealed from the appearance: Romanesque architects use walls; Gothic architects use more columns.
Besides, there are significant changes to the elements of architecture through the two periods. Although they both have similar plans, the details are different. Romanesque structure has semi-circular arches, buttresses; Gothic architecture has ogive, which is sharper than arch, and flying buttresses. Moreover, Gothic architecture contains more sharp elements such as tips of ogive and spires on the flying buttress. Overall, Gothic architectures look more vertical, thin and elegant.