Aspects of Design and Complex Geometry

Aspects of Design - Architecture

Source 1
Francisco Asensio. "New Architecture - an international atlas". English Language Edition. 2007 Abrams, New York.

This publication focuses on different types of modern architecture and their relation to its purpose and surroundings. It is split into 9 themes: Business Architecture, The Great Buildings, Urban & Sports Infrastructure, Architecture for Living, Architecture in Transport, The Arts in Architecture, Museums, Bridges: Architecture and Engineering, and Religious and Funerary Architecture. I found this book particularly interesting as it showed the different ways in which architecture is used and presented and also showed how geometry is used in some of these buildings. An example of this is The Rosenthal Center of Contemporary Art by Zaha Hadid. Although this building does not present "complex" geometry, the way in which the basic geometry is presented is what I found interesting - the building looks like a stack of rectangles, but when seen on the side, has a curved based that continues through the inside creating the mixture between linear and curved lines.




















Source 2
Julie Eizenburg. "Architecture isn't just for special occasions". 2006 by The Monacelli Press, New York.

Similarly to the publication above, this book shows the importance of having good architecture no matter what the occasion. Just because it is a school, does not mean the architecture has to be boring, restricted and plain. "I need my students to have freedom. I didn't know fresh air could inspire learning", Nicole Dresch - a teacher with a quote in the publication. Through this we see that it is important to create architecture that attains the needs of those participating in them.

Source 3
Michael Bell and Craig Buckley. "Solid States - Concrete in Transition".2010 by Princeton Architectural Press, New York.

This source is basically a collection of essays relating to concrete and its effects, traditions, and how it relates to architecture. "Concrete is by far the most pervasive and resource-intensive man-made material on the planet. It is therefore the biggest form of evidence of our species's existence" (Mark Wigkey, pg. 7).


Complex Geometry - Topology and Surface Architecture

Source 1
'Topological Design of Sculptured Surfaces'. Helaman Ferguson, Alyn Rockwood and Jordan Cox. 2 July, 1992.

Source 2
'Geometry and Topology. A User-Interface to Artificial Evolution in Architectural Design'. Tomor Elezkurtaj, Georg Franck. Vienna University of Technology.

Source 3
'Surface Structures: Digital Design and Fabrication'. Martin Bechthold. Harvard University.