Geometric Shapes in Architecture

The Cube Full scale replica of the original Greek Parthenon in Nashville, TN, built in 1897. La Grande Arche, Paris, built in 1989. Apple Store, New York City, NY, built in 2011. A cube is symmetrical and regular. It is easy to build. A cube’s geometry – clarity of structure - implies notion of perfection. The cube is the building block of modern architecture – admired for its purity and simplicity. But perhaps it’s just a little bit too perfect for mainstream taste: most of the buildings are built in a shape of a rectangular prism. For more images of cubes in architecture click here, and here. Click for a 13:22 minute narrative about “The Cube.”

The Pyramid Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico. The Great Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, Egypt. Pyramids in architecture have a rectangular base and four sloping triangular or trapezoid sides. They have been built at various times in northern and central Africa, western Asia, western Europe, India, and South America. In Egypt pyramids were built as tombs, whereas in South America – as temples. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agUipCnd4gQ The Louvre Pyramid in Paris, France. For more images of Pyramids in modern architecture click here. Click for a 13:10 minute narrative about “The Pyramid.”

The Sphere Planet Earth, EPCOT, Walt Disney World, FL. The Géode, Parc de la Villette in Paris, France. Sphere House, Canada. The Sphere is the most economical shape for containing matter. Its perfect form implies harmony. Though this shape is abundant in nature (planets, raindrops), it is not easily achieved by designers and manufacturers. Nevertheless, throughout the ages architects used spheres as symbols of unity and celestial perfection in temples as well as in government buildings. Cupola of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. For more images of Spheres in modern architecture click here. Click for a 13:22 minute narrative about “The Sphere.”

The Bagel/The doughnut ASM Materials Park, Ohio built in 1960. GCHQ in Cheltenham, UK, 2003. Hakka Apartments in China, built between 1796-1966. Hakka round buildings were built as cities-fortresses in China. This structure provided optimal protection and close communal life. In modern “office” architecture, this circle within a circle shape fits more people while creating more green space and access to natural light for the employees. This shape also supports a natural visitor flow for the museums. By adding one bagel shape to another, new shapes can be generated. Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC, 1974. For more pictures of the buildings shaped like food, click here. Click for a 13:15 minute narrative about “The Bagel.”

The Blob Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, 1997. Kunsthaus Graz Museum in Graz, Austria, 2003. Swiss Re, “The Gherkin”, Building in London, 2004. Blobitecture is a movement in architecture in which buildings have an organic, amoeba-shaped, bulging form. As architects turn to the computer technology to design the structures, the blob shape is taking over the cities. Facilitated by technology, the architects employ their understanding of mathematical concepts to construct new forms. They no longer have to rely on known support structures (arches, post and lintel or suspension); now, with the use of pliable and flexible materials (glass, steel), architects can design any forms they want. For more pictures of blobitecture, click here, and here. Click for a 13:55 minute narrative about “The Blob.”

Resources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/fiveshapes.shtml http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guangdong-museum http://www.galinsky.com/ Cube http://openbuildings.com/buildings/apple-store-profile-2977# http://inspiredm.com/architecture-cubes/ Pyramid http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/484720/pyramid http://www.history.com/topics/pyramids-in-latin-america Sphere http://www.gardendome.com/dome_tour.html Blob http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/zaha-hadid-designs http://weburbanist.com/2010/08/08/blobitecture-11-cool-ways-architecture-gets-a-round/ http://openbuildings.com/buildings/kunsthaus-graz-profile-38574 More examples http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=Z4FNvZcKH78 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le1pw_Yqy0g&list=PL754FAD3710A8E3E2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__tX49-_8uQ&list=PL754FAD3710A8E3E2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4cyUd7hXsE The END