10 Amazing Examples of Architecture

Inspired by Mathematics
By Alison Nastasi on Sep 20, 2012 7:00pm
The link between math and architecture goes back to ancient times,
when the two disciplines were virtually indistinguishable. Pyramids
and temples were some of the earliest examples of mathematical
principles at work. Today, math continues to feature prominently in
building design. Were not just talking about mere measurements
though elements like that are integral to architecture. Thanks to modern
technology, architects can explore a variety of exciting design options
based on complex mathematical languages, allowing them to build
groundbreaking forms. Take a look at several structures past the break
that were modeled after mathematics. Even if your idea of math is
typing juvenile, upside-down messages in a calculator, or asking Siri to
figure it out for you, we promise youll find something to be wowed by
here.
Mobius Strip Temple
You probably made a Mobius Strip
in grade school math class, so you
should remember that the geometric
form is unique in that there is no
orientation. A similar twisty shape is
applied to the design of Buddhist
buildings. The temple is a moundlike shape known as a stupa
similar to a pagoda and contains
a central spire where Buddhists
congregate. One architect wanted to
modernize it for a soon-to-be built
temple in China, and based the updated design on the Mobius Strip
which also happens to symbolize reincarnation.

Tetrahedral-Shaped
Church
The tetrahedron is a
convex polyhedron with
four triangular faces.
Basically, its a complex
pyramid. Youve seen
the same geometric
principle used in RPGs,
because the dice is
shaped the same. Famed
architect Walter Netsch applied the concept to the United States Air
Force Academys Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its a
striking and classic example of modernist architecture, with its row of
17 spires and massive tetrahedron frame that stretches more than 150
feet into the sky. The early 1960s church cost a whopping $3.5
million to construct.

Pentagonal,
Phyllotactic
Greenhouse and
Education Center
Cornwall, Englands
Eden Project is home to
the worlds largest
greenhouse, composed
of geodesic domes that
are made up of hexagonal and pentagonal cells. The social,
environmental, and arts/education center is all about green living and
considered that in every aspect of their design and programming. Their
interactive education center dubbed The Core incorporated Fibonacci
numbers (a math sequence that also relates to the branching, flowering,
or arrangement of things in nature) and phyllotaxis (the arrangement of

leaves) in its design.

A MathematicallyInclined Cucumber in the
Sky
Standing 591-feet tall, with
41 floors is Londons
skyscraper known as The
Gherkin (yes, like the
cucumber). The modern
tower was carefully
constructed with the help of
parametric modeling
amongst other math-savvy formulas so the architects could predict how
to minimize whirlwinds around its base. The designs tapered top and
bulging center maximize ventilation. The building uses half the energy
of other towers the same size. Any mathematician would be pleased to
claim credit for the building, but architectural firm Foster and Partners
might have something to say about that.
Experimental MathMusic Pavilion
Imagine walking up
to the Philips Pavilion
at the 1958 Worlds
Fair and seeing this
crazy construction of
asymmetric
hyperbolic
paraboloids and steel
tension cables. Mind.
Blown. This amazing building appeared at the first Expo after World
War II, so it was an important moment that allowed its creators to show
off the technological progress the world had made since the devastating
battle. Philips Electronics Company wanted to create a unique

experience for visitors, so they collaborated with an international group

of renown architects, artists, and composers to create the experimental
space. ArchDaily wrote about the groundbreaking, temporary building,
calling it the first electronic-spatial environment to combine
architecture, film, light and music to a total experience made to
functions in time and space. It was through these visually inspired
concepts that elevated the Philips Pavilion into a complete experience
where one could visualize their special movements through a space of
sound, light, and time. Poeme Electronique was one of the works
prominently displayed at the time.
Modern Music-Math
Home
A classical violinist
commissioned an
eccentric, $24 million
dollar home located on
the edge of a Toronto
ravine. The curved,
elegant structure
which also serves as an
incredible concert space
for 200 people was
named the Integral House. (Calculus geeks, represent!) The homes
owner Jim Stewart was a calculus professor who wrote textbooks and
wanted to incorporate the mathematical sign into the homes name and
design. Undulating glass and wood walls also echo the shape of a
violin.
Solar Algorithm
Wizardry
Barcelonas Endesa
Pavillion used
mathematical
algorithms to alter the

cubic buildings geometry, based on solar inclination and the

structures proposed orientation. Algorithms can be used to create the
perfect building for any location with the right computer program. For
Endesa, the movement of the sun was tracked on site before an
architect from the Institute for Advance Architecture of Catalonia
stepped in to complete the picture. The algorithm essentially did all the
planning for him, calculating the buildings optimal form for that
particular location.
Cube Village
Welcome to
Cube
Village, built
by Dutch
architect Piet
Blom. His
tilted,
geometric
houses
built on top
of a
pedestrian
bridge to mimic an abstract forest are split into three levels. The top
has windows on every facade and feels like a separate structure
entirely.
Magic Square Cathedral
The Sagrada Familia
cathedral in Barcelona
designed by Antoni Gaud
is a mathematicians
dream. Hyperbolic
paraboloid structures are
featured throughout. Have
you eaten Pringles? Then

you definitely know what a Hyperbolic paraboloid structure is.

Catenary arches (a geometric curve) abound. The cathedral also
contains a Magic Square an arrangement of numbers that equal the
same amount in every column, row, and diagonal. The magic number
in Sagrada Familias case is 33, which alludes to multiple religious
symbols. For example, Jesus performed 33 recorded miracles, and most
Christians believe he was crucified at 33 years old in 33 A.D.

Fractal Gas
Station
Makeover
A fractal is a
fragmented
geometric shape
that is split into
several parts, but
each of those
components is just
a smaller-sized
copy of the overall
form. Many
architects apply this mathematical principle to their building designs,
like this Los Angeles gas station that recently had a green makeover.
Everything has been stripped down including the filling stations
signs, which are subtle symbols and the mirrored facade beautifies
ninety solar panels that power the station. Recycled materials and a
plant-covered roof complete the enviro-friendly revamp.