1. Geometry

Geometry

Geometry is an essential aspect of architecture. Its basic principles help comprise every facet of a building’s physical form and even a building’s spatial form. The basic shapes of geometry can be seen in numerous buildings, and their juxtaposition and amalgamation are what create building surfaces, plans, planes, and other aspects. The interconnection of triangles can be seen in the atrium roof of the British Museum in London and Spaceship Earth in Orlando, Florida (See the next page). The facade of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (see next page) is a combination of triangular shapes at different angles, similar to the previous buildings’ ideas, but they create an added sense of rotation with the stadium. Geometry is also present in the volumes of space on the inside of buildings as these spaces are three-dimensional objects that can be broken down into simple geometric figures. Both solid and void are products of geometrical shapes and thus rely on these shapes. The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran (see next page), is an example of this. Its complex geometrical shapes create interconnected solids and voids that create interesting patterns on the outside wall. (continued on page 8)

From top to bottom:

The interior atrium of the British Museum in London designed by Foster and Partners. Photo by John Walton.

A formal analysis I did of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City highlighting circular and square geometries.

The interior atrium of the British Museum in London designed by Foster and Partners. Photo

A formal analysis I did of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City highlighting circular and square

Geometry

Geometry also defines how we analyze architectural forms, seen in the image in the bottom right of the previous page. The basic grid, a simple arrangement of squares or rectangles, is often used in formal analysis, as are other shapes which help us to define relationships between forms in more simple terms. Overall, geometry helps to derive the essential aspects of architectural form, and the study of it is of great importance to an architect.

This section covers topics relating directly to geometry. They are arranged in this section to build on each other. Symmetry is first, and it is a super basic principle of geometry. This continues into The Grid, asymmetrical order of shapes, usually squares and rectangles. The section ends with Datum, a kind of reference point created from geometries that can be defined by things like grids and symmetries.

Clockwise from the top right:

The massive Geodesic Sphere of Spaceship Earth at Walt Diseny World in Orlando, Florida designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. Photo by Brandon Glover.

The detailing above the entrance to the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran designed by Mohammad Reza IsfahaniPhoto by Curioso Phtogoraphy.

The exterior of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia designed by HOK. Photo by HOK.

The massive Geodesic Sphere of Spaceship Earth at Walt Diseny World in Orlando, Florida designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. Photo

The detailing above the entrance to the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran designed by Mohammad Reza IsfahaniPhoto by Curioso

The exterior of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia designed by HOK. Photo by