What type of architecture?
Asian Architecture
What type of architecture?
American Architecture
What type of architecture?
European Architecture
What type of architecture?
Islamic Architecture
What type of architecture?
Egyptian Architecture
How could you tell? Many nations have similarities in their architecture,
but each puts their own uniqueness to it.
Can Architecture Define a nation? “Until the invention of the printing press, architecture
was the primary means of the expression and communication of the ideas, values, and beliefs of a culture.” (Hendrix, 2010). “One can tell more about a civilisation from its
architecture than from anything else it leaves behind.” (Clark, 1969).
Key Similarity Majority of nations take
architectural ideas from other countries/regions to use; but they always change something to make it their own. All nations need to use
mathematics to create their buildings!
Egyptian Architecture Use many unique architectural elements Built sturdy mud-brick pyramids Pylon – Monumental entryway Column - 2 different types
Temple of Luxor
Open papyrus – flared at the top Closed papyrus – bulged at the top
Obelisk - Tall, thin, four-sided spike of stone with
inscription on the side to praise the pharaoh who commissioned it
Mathematics in Ancient Egypt Had very basic math skills, but unknowingly relied
heavily on Geometry. Used own measures (cubits), math, tools (ropes) and nature sunlight (solar worship/science) to figure out how to build sound structures. Architects of their time: Harpedonaptai (rope stretcher) Created straight lines
Right angle unknowingly used Pythagorean triplet when
building pyramids
Relations to Egyptian architecture? Columns Greeks, Romans and Europeans also use columns Egyptians structured their columns differently Obelisk America has the Washington Monument
Much larger in size
Egyptian obelisks have hieroglyphics written all along
the obelisk in honor of the pharaoh it was built for
Greek Architecture Columns are unique Followed strict building order
3 styles Doric – most basic Ionic – thinner and more elegant than Doric Corinthian – very elaborate. Did not use as much of
Mathematics in Greece Greek philosophers were considered first true
mathematicians Pythagoras: 580-500BC Greek philosopher who sought to interpret the entire
physical world in terms of numbers. Best known for theorem on the right triangle With music, discovered significance of dividing musical scale into ratios to create harmony. This lead to architects designing buildings with ratios and the use of a module, basic unit of length of a building
Symmetry – Comes from Greek word “symmetria”
which means repetition of shapes and ratios
Relation to Greek Architecture Greek
Roman
Temples were built on
Temples were built on an
platform called a stylobata Temples are built with vague entrance Statues are placed in the cella, the room of the temple which no one was allowed to enter
elevated plateau Temples had very definite entrances Roman statues were placed in the center of the temple. Had own Column, Composite Column, mixture of Ionic and Corinthian
Islamic Architecture Islamic Doctoral Cannon Calligraphy
Al-Quran
Most sacred form of writing, used to write Quran
Geometric
Since it’s more vague than calligraphy, architect has opportunity to show skills
Arabesque
Seen across a wide range of mediums, from books to carpets and textiles
Temple ceiling
Mathematics in Islam Islamic Decorative canon has remarkable similarity to
quasi-crystal patterns Quasi-crystals – Are made when man takes natural elements
from periodic table to create man-made solids Peter J Lu from Harvard examined mosaics from Middle East to determine their patterns, which are far more advance than anyone ever thought. To create quasi-crystallized design, used girih tiles, set of 5 shapes:
Decagon Hexagon Bow tie Rhombus Pentagon Islamic tile pattern
Atomic model of quasi-crystal aluminum-palladiummanganese
Relations to Islamic Architecture? Europe Cathedrals
Rose stained class geometric patterns Geometric pattern used for religious window decoration. Middle East does not use it for the same purpose
Calligraphy
Europeans copied calligraphy style in Renaissance The middle east only use it for religious writing though
European Architecture Gothic Style Began in 12th century France spread quickly until 16th century in Western Europe Cathedrals – Popular during Gothic Era: “The mighty
cathedral is a symbol of god, his power, and how much people respect him.” (Perdrixet & Krahenbuhl, 1990). Built vaulted roofs to prevent fires from spreading Supported building Columns Flying buttress – jetted out of wall to serve as support Roofs Very tall, pointed structures supported by wood Have figurines, mostly gargoyles Made of limestone Have stained glass windows
Notre Dame Tall vaulted roofs prevents fires
Columns
Stain glass windows
Flying buttress For support
Mathematics in European Architecture Antonio Gaudi is a Spanish architect who studied
organic geometry in nature and expressed it in his architectural works. First to use catenary curves in architecture, which
engineers use today to construction suspension bridges
Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco Casa Mila
Sagrada Famillia – represent trees in forest
Mathematics in European Architecture Antonio Gaudi is a Spanish architect who studied
organic geometry in nature and expressed it in his architectural works. Many types of geometric structuers found in nature: Hyperboloid (light), helicoid (movement), cone,
matrices create reeds, bones, trees First to use catenary curves in architecture which engineers use to construction suspension bridges Masterpiece: Sagrada Famillia – Church structure built as if in forest
Organic Geometry in Europe Gaudi, and many other architects are inspired by
nature. Many different types of geometric structures found in nature used in European architecture: Hyperboloid
Water tower in Russia by Vladimir Shukhov 1896
Organize Geometry in Europe Helicoids
Vatican Museum Giuseppe Momo in 1932
Staircase actually 2 separate helixes twisting together to make double helix. Just like DNA!
DNA Helicase
Organize Geometry in Europe Cone
Puglia, Italy
Asian Architecture Key characteristics are rooftops Flat, to emphasize the width of the building All roofs made of gables, similar to shingles Stresses importance of symmetry Gardens are asymmetrical to represent nature Buildings are made from wooden structures because
Asia experiences many earthquakes Color holds a lot of meaning Yellow roofs – Imperial/royal color Blue roofs – Used for religious buildings to symbolize
heaven
Most imperial buildings face East, direction of sun, as
form of solar worshipping
Mathematics in Asian Architecture Geometry and art – “Both
concerned with understanding and organization of space” (Gangolli) Perfected the use of sine, cosine with bridges and large buildings Abu al-Wafra discovered tangent
and Theory of Parralells
Patterns Western Asia uses repetitive patterns that repeat endlessly along a plane
These types of patterns are commonly used to form basic number of algorithms that can be used for computer generation of patterns.
American Architecture America is “Melting pot.” Have a lot of other cultural
architecture represented: Washington Monument – Egyptian obelisk All types of columns used Islamic mosques seen in large Muslim populated areas
(NY, Chicago, Los Angeles) Has cathedrals built in may different parts of America
America has it’s own uniqueness Chicago 1885: 1st country to build skyscrapers
California 1944: 1st country to have suburbs
Present day math in Architecture Mathematics, science, technology and engineering
(STEM) go hand-in-hand with architecture. Jobs related to STEM and architecture Engineers Civil engineers Interior designers Landscape Architects Carpentry
Industrial design Building/Private home inspector Historic preservation Technical architecture Construction worker Electrician
Integrate this into our schools! K-5 Draw house and room from memory Perimeter and area Geometric shapes and patterns Learn about 2-3D shapes Learn about history of cities Design basic floor plans 6-8 Use technology to create 3D floor plans: http://www.architectstudio3d.org/AS3d/home.html Research historical buildings and “rebuild” them according to modern architectural standards 9-12 Algebra Advanced geometry Understand architectural patterns in relation to algebraic and geometric formulas Trigonometry Physics/construct buildings Earth Science: environment and eco friendly homes
The future of Architecture U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
reported that “in coming years, Building Sector energy consumption will grow faster than that of industry and transportation. Between 2010 and 2030…total Buildling Sector energy consumption will increate by 5.85 QBtu…1 Qbtu is equal to the delievered energy of 37 1000 MW nuclear power plants.” (Architecture 2030, 2011).
The future of Architecture 2030 Challenge: Eliminate the use of fossil fuel consumption in buildings
Sources Hendrix, J. (2010). "Architecture as the Psyche of a
Culture.” School of Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty. Clark, K. (1969). Civilisation. New York: New York. Carnegie Museum of Art (1999). The Pritzker Architecture Prize. Pittsburg, PA: Carnegie Museums of Pittsburg. Rossi, Corinna (2004). Architecture and Mathematics in Ancient Egypt. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Lohner, F.; Zuberbuhler, T. (2006). Building the Giant Pyramid. Retrieved April 20 from http://www.cheops-pyramide.ch/khufupyramid/pyramid-alignment.html#seked D. Stocks, Manchester Archaeological Bulletin 2 (1987); 49-50, fig. 25. Retrieved April 20 from http://hbar.phys.msu.su/gorm/ahist/arnold/arnold.htm Mashayekh, H. Wisdom in Art: Mathematics in Islamic Architecture in Iran. Retrieved April 20 from http://www.nasrinfoundation.org/doc/Math-Arch.pdf King, D. “Qibla Charts, Qibla Maps, and Related Instruments.” Cartography in Traditional Islamic and South Asian Societies. The History of Cartography, (2), 1. Retrieved April 20 from http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/mc-me/be-as-ma.pdf
Picture sources http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=367782&page
=6 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/tangx151/architecture/2008/03/inspirin g_european_architects.html http://the-old-quay-house-fowey.oldhousess.com/americahomes/ http://www.richardcassaro.com/freemasonry%E2%80%99s%E2%80%9Clost-secret%E2%80%9Dfound%E2%80%94encoded-into-the-architecture-of-gothiccathedrals http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/egypt.htm http://www.geometryatlas.com/entries/438 http://atlasobscura.com/blog/spiraling-out-of-control-thegreatest-spiral-stairs-in-the-world