Mathematical Mathematical Concepts and Shape in Concepts and Shape in

Architecture and Architecture and EnvironmentsEnvironments

Geometric Shapes – "The laws of nature are but the mathematical

thoughts of God”- Euclid –

a mathema-tician who lived over

2000 years ago

In Nature we can see many geometric (mathematical) shapes.

Which shapes can you see in this honeycomb?

Artists and architects have often been inspired by these shapes and

mathematical rules.

The Pentagon building – Virginia, USA

Here the pentagon appears again, in a partition wall design.

Often, natural shapes and forms have near-perfect Symmetry (both sides

being identical but reversed).

The arrow shows the Line of Symmetry

An example of symmetry in architecture: the Taj Mahal in India – built by a 'Shah'

(emperor), in memory of his third wife, between 1631-54

These segments of an orange are showing perfect radial symmetry.

Radial symmetry in a teapot!

An example in architecture is the rotunda dome skylight in the Museum

African American History Detroit Michigan USA

The fibonacci spiral is a shape with mathematical rules that is found in many places in nature, such as this shell, our ears, the solar system...

The fibonacci spiral inspired this path in a park (Eastwood Hill) in

New Zealand...

...and this spiral staircase.

More shapes in architecture and environments

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in the world. This photo

shows it at night.

The designer of the Sydney Opera House wanted the shapes to look like the segments of an orange.

Can you notice the similarity in the shapes?

Aluminium (a metal) was used to construct this building in a Botanical Gardens

environment. (Michigan, US)

A view from inside the same structure

This greenhouse in Gruningen Botanical Garden, Germany, is inspired by the shapes of trees.

A closer view of the same greenhouse – it is made of steel and

glass.

This garden pavillion was constructed using recycled builder's 'palettes'. What shape are the spaces between

the palettes?

On the subject of recycled materials, here is a floor design consisting of bottle tops. The architect Dan

Phillips of Texas uses many recycled materials in the houses that he designs.

The Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, has dome-shaped 'biospheres'. Which natural

creation do they also resemble?

Glass pyramid next to the Louvre, Paris, France

Office building - Chihuahua, Mexico

This modern farmhouse displays a

simple arched shape.

Interesting angular shapes in a holiday residence in the Italian Alps

What other unusual shapes could be included in your building or environment

design?

This is a museum

of architec-ture in Japan

How about a dodecahedron?

Should all our environments be still?

The possibilities for inventing new and interesting designs are almost

limitless...

If you could invent an unusual dwelling or environment, could you create one like no other that ever

existed???