Architectural geometry explained

Architectural geometry is an area of research which combines applied geometry and architecture,^[1] which looks at the design, analysis and manufacture processes. It lies at the core of architectural design^[2] and strongly challenges contemporary practice, the so-called architectural practice of the digital age.^[3]

Architectural geometry is influenced by following fields: differential geometry, topology, fractal geometry, and cellular automata.

Topics include:

• freeform curves and surfaces creation
• developable surfaces
• discretisation
• generative design
• digital prototyping and manufacturing

See also

• Geometric design
• Computer-aided architectural design
• Mathematics and architecture
• Fractal geometry
• Blobitecture

External links

Theory

• Charles Jencks: The New Paradigm in Architecture

Institutions

• Geometric Modeling and Industrial Geometry
• Städelschule Architecture Class
• SIAL - The Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory

Companies

• Evolute Research and Consulting

Events

• Smart Geometry
• Advances in Architectural Geometry,(http://www.architecturalgeometry.at/aag08/aag08proceedings-papers_and_poster_abstracts.pdf Conference Proceedings, 80MB)

Resource collections

• Geometry in Action: Architecture

Tools

• K3DSurf - A program to visualize and manipulate Mathematical models in three, four, five and six dimensions. K3DSurf supports Parametric equations and Isosurfaces
• JavaView - a 3D geometry viewer and a mathematical visualization software.
• Generative Components - Generative design software that captures and exploits the critical relationships between design intent and geometry.
• ParaCloud GEM - A software for components population based on points of interest, with no requirement for scripting.
• Grasshopper - a graphical algorithm editor tightly integrated with Rhino's 3-D modeling tools.

Notes and References

1. Book: H. Pottmann . A. Asperl . M. Hofer . A. Kilian . Architectural Geometry. Bentley Institute Press. 2007. 978-1-934493-04-5.
2. Book: H. Pottmann, M. Hofer and A. Kilian (Ed.). Advances in Architectural Geometry 2008, Conference Proceedings. Vienna University of Technology. 2008. 978-3-902233-03-5.
3. Book: Branko Kolarevic. Architecture in the Digital Age. Taylor & Francis. 2003. 978-0-415-27820-1.