Architectural Geometry
Architectural geometry is an exciting and constantly evolving field that combines the principles of mathematics and geometry with the art of architecture. It involves using advanced computer modeling software to create complex geometric forms that were once impossible to achieve by hand. In this way, architectural geometry has become an essential tool for architects, allowing them to create unique and complex designs that push the boundaries of traditional architecture.
One example of architectural geometry is the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw. The Finnish firm Lahdelma & Mahlamaki won a design competition for the museum in 2005, and their design was praised for its combination of rational and expressive forms. The building's main body is a cuboid shape, but it features a curved rupture that symbolizes the parting of the Red Sea. This rupture comprises two load-bearing walls with a height of 20 meters and a total area of 2000 square meters.
The designers' most significant challenge was finding solutions for shaping the discrete surface of the walls. They used computer modeling software like AutoCAD and Rhino to create a model of the steel structure of the walls, which allowed them to achieve the complex geometry required for the building.
Architectural geometry is also essential for parametric architecture, which involves using algorithms and rules to create designs that can adapt and change based on specific parameters. This approach allows architects to create buildings responsive to their environment and adjust to changing conditions over time.
Overall, architectural geometry is a vital tool for architects, enabling them to create functional and visually stunning designs. By combining the principles of mathematics and geometry with the art of architecture, architects can push the boundaries of what is possible and create truly unique and innovative buildings.
- Claude F. Bragdon
Architecture is geometry made visible in the same sense that music is number made audible.