What are these buildings?What geometric shapes do you see?

Geometric Shapes in Architecture

Let’s revise. First, click on the picture.Then, click on the right arrow to see these shapes represented in architecture.

THE CUBE

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.

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.

For more images of cubes in architecture click here, and here.Click for a 13:22 minute narrative about “The Cube.”

THE PYRAMID

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.

The Great Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, Egypt.

For more images of Pyramids in modern architecture click here.Click for a 13:10 minute narrative about “The Pyramid.”

Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico.

The Louvre Pyramid in Paris, France.

THE SPHERE

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.

Sphere House, Canada.Planet Earth, EPCOT, Walt Disney World, FL.

The Géode, Parc de la Villette in Paris, France.

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

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.

ASM Materials Park, Ohio built in 1960.

Hakka Apartments in China, built between 1796-1966.

GCHQ in Cheltenham, UK, 2003.

For more pictures of the buildings shaped like food, click here.Click for a 13:15 minute narrative about “The Bagel.”

Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC, 1974.

THE BLOB

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.”

Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, 1997.Swiss Re, “The Gherkin”, Building in London, 2004.

Kunsthaus Graz Museum in Graz, Austria, 2003.

And now, a test…

Click on the “perfect” shape in geometry

What shapes do you see in this picture?(Note the shapes you see and then click the “right” or “down” arrow on your keyboard)

Cone CrescentCube

Circle Cylinder OvalPentagonPyramid

Rhombus

Rectangular Prism

RectangleTriangleSquare

Sphere Star

Match shapes and attributes(then, click on “down” or “right” arrow on your

keyboard)• Blob

• Sphere

• Pyramid

• Bagel/Doughnut

• Cube

Most difficult to build

Community-minded

Would not want to have an office on the top floor

Possible with new computer and material technologies

Easy to build

What shapes do you see in this picture?(Click on the picture to watch a video and note the shapes you see;

then click the “right” or “down” arrow on your keyboard)

Cone

CrescentCube

Circle Cylinder OvalPentagon Pyramid

RhombusRectangular Prism

Rectangle Triangle

SquareSphere

Star

What 3 D shapes are most traditional buildings?

• Cubes• Triangular Prisms

• Bagels•Rectangular Prisms

THE END

Resources:http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/fiveshapes.shtmlhttp://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guangdong-museumhttp://www.galinsky.com/

Cubehttp://openbuildings.com/buildings/apple-store-profile-2977#http://inspiredm.com/architecture-cubes/

Pyramidhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/484720/pyramidhttp://www.history.com/topics/pyramids-in-latin-america

Spherehttp://www.gardendome.com/dome_tour.html

Blobhttp://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/zaha-hadid-designshttp://weburbanist.com/2010/08/08/blobitecture-11-cool-ways-architecture-gets-a-round/http://openbuildings.com/buildings/kunsthaus-graz-profile-38574

More exampleshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=Z4FNvZcKH78http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le1pw_Yqy0g&list=PL754FAD3710A8E3E2http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__tX49-_8uQ&list=PL754FAD3710A8E3E2http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4cyUd7hXsE

YES, INDEED!

NO, TRY AGAIN.