Math in Architecture

Introduction ❖

Math, is everywhere in our daily life and even in every subject like music, physics, chemistry.

Today, we can see beautiful and novel buildings everywhere but have you ever think about the math that applied in?

Architecture is a subject that involves so much with math. Engineers or architects use calculus, geometry, trigonometry, and so on to assure their designs will be stable and standing.

Now, let's learn more about how mathematics is used in building.

Golden Ratio ❖

The most common math theory that has been applied in architecture must be the Golden Ratio.

In mathematics, Golden ratio means the two quantities' ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. (a+b)/a = (1+√5)/2

The figures in this section can illustrate how the golden ratio can be used in architecture. Golden ratio not only can make the building more stable but also more aesthetic. Since thousands years ago, human started to apply golden ratio in building, such as the Parthenon, Notre Dame, The Taj Mahal

GEOMETRY in Architecture

Eden Project ❖

Eden Project, located in England, UK, is used as greenhouses. This project took 2.5 years to construct and opened in 2001.

As we can see, the main structures look like several soccer balls. The surface consisted of different sizes of pentagon and hexagon. Because of the impressive design, without any internal support, these structures are still very stable. Obviously, this is an applying of geometry.

APPLICATION of math

Gherkin ❖

Gherkin (official name: 30 St Mary Axe) is an amazing skyscraper the building is 180 metres tall, three times the height of the Niagara Falls. We've have a lot of skyscrapers like it, so what make this one special?

It's round rather than a regular square.
It bulges in the middle and tapers to a thin end towards the top.
It's based on a spiralling design.

The figure at left bottom can tell us why Gherkin is special –– a cylindrical shape responds better to air currents than a square one so that it can reduce whirlwinds. Thus, the tower bulges out in the middle, reaching its maximal diameter at the 16th floor, can help to minimise winds at its slimmer base. After all, a building should be able to stand on the ground firmly.

Summary

In a nutshell, it is difficult to be an architect without ample math knowledge. As long as you pay attention to the buildings and structures along the street sides, you can find various mathematical "secrets" hiding in them. Math is just everywhere in the world. ✩

Sources:

This page by Rebecca Z. ('19)