How is math used in architecture

Architects design buildings and other structures. They make sure buildings are functional, safe, and economical. They draw plans of every part of a building, including the plumbing and electrical systems. They also help choose a building site and decide what materials to use. Most architects today use computers in their work, and many are self-employed.

Skip to main content. But quickly goes from magic triangles and perfect squares to the square root of 2 rectangle and to the golden rectangle, where the numbers considered are irrationals and demand rational approximations to be applied in the real construction see From the Golden Mean to Chaos by Vera W. Among these two examples there is a myriad of applications of mathematical subjects, going from number theory to fractals and frontiers of chaos, to architecture.

It may be classical Greek or Frank Gehry. A building is three-dimensional geometry. You can't describe a building without geometry. When I first started to look at architecture in downtown Chicago, I saw that it was mainly about rectangles-windows , doors, building outlines, etc-a synphony of rectangles-just rectangles. Seemed somewhat simplistic. Especially the steel and glass apartment buildings-very minimal geometry. I liked the minimality. So as I understand the question-it doesn't make sense to ask it.

It is really about the how. How do you use mathematics? The "new" geometry is more curvey-not rectangular. This reminds me of a question that came up at one of my conferences here.

I was talking about form and space and someone asked me what is space? I said space is space. Then I said that if you asked me "why is space? For me, sculpture is form, space, and light. Space is where the light goes! That was my answer to this why question. Stakhov Answering the questions "Why is mathematics used in architecture? According to definition of the famous Russian mathematician academician Kolmogorov, "Mathematics is a science about quantitative relations and space forms of real world".

History of mathematics shows that mathematics developed under influence on practical needs of natural sciences. However, according to opinion of many famous mathematicians in particular, John von Neumann the tendency to be separated from vital problems of natural sciences is particular feature of modern mathematics and there exists a real danger of transformation of modern mathematics to "Art for Art".

That is why the representatives of many natural sciences and arts began to search own ways in development of mathematics and the question "Why is mathematics used in architecture? Searching answer to the question "Why is mathematics used in architecture? We can use the following definition of this concept given in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia: "Architecture.. It follows from this definition that there exist two aspects of Architecture notion.

On the one hand, Architecture is a particular kind of Technology intended for "forming a space medium for life and activity of people". And creating his buildings and structures architect should know "Laws of Mechanics" ensuring mechanical strength and stability of his buildings and structures.

But Architecture is a kind of Fine Art and architect should create his "buildings and structures in correspondence with the laws of beauty". It means that architect should be guided by Laws and Principles of Harmony and Beauty in his creativity. Sometimes Architecture is called "Frozen Music". In this connection there arises an idea to create a new mathematics, the Mathematics of Harmony, adapted very well to studying physical phenomenon and based on the Golden Section.

It is impossible to state all scientific achievements of Harmony Mathematics in this brief essay. If you wish to study Mathematics of Harmony more in detail I would like to invite you to visit my Museum of Harmony and Golden Section www. Christopher Alexander, a British-American architect and design theorist, firmly believes that mathematical analysis of various architectural details yields an objective interpretation of the beauty of any structure.

He states further that the architectural beauty directly correlates to 15 these mathematical properties:. His work, The Nature of Order — a 4-volume work, consolidates his views on how the inclusion of these 15 properties becomes important in adding life to any space. As a result, a structure naturally feels appealing to its audience and makes it easy for them to appreciate it. Bertrand Russell, an influential personality in the field of mathematics, logic, philosophy, and history, also expresses his take on mathematical beauty.

While the design is as subjective as its creator and masses, mathematics holds nothing but the truth when approached rightly. Its ability to convey the supreme beauty, without possessing the innate beauty of any piece of art or musical overture, is just pure. He adds mathematical visualizations hold a hint of happiness, delight, and a feeling of beyond, as powerful as poetry.

In the architectural world, we acknowledge an unsaid pleasure in geometric regularity of shape and form. Our history is evidence of many architectural marvels that strike us with awe.

On the one hand, we agree on the importance of mathematics in architecture. Still, on the other, it is crucial to realize that it is not capable of defining architectural beauty ultimately. It is also noteworthy to know the relation of these mathematical expressions in human perception. Alexander believes contemporary architecture sometimes might differ from the 15 traditional building design tools.