Is geometry the essence of form, or just a convenient means of description? At the level of philosophy or of science this is a question that could be debated without ever reaching a conclusion, while to most architects the question would be almost rhetorical. However, in the digital age, where computers are increasingly used in design, fabrication and construction to explore the art of the possible, the answer is no longer clear cut. This is because the approaches to design are as much a matter of style as the resulting form. The choice of medium for design exploration and the materials and methods used for construction to a large extent determine what will be the most effective means of description.
Historically, the use of geometry and mathematics to describe built form provided a common basis for communication between the processes of design, fabrication and assembly. This meant that the theories of proportion and harmony and also the precision required to coordinate delivery by large numbers of people under a legal contract, could both be specified within the same system. The implication was that the application of rationale would not compromise creativity or the creation of a beautiful form. This is now being challenged by the use of digital technology to produce free-form buildings which, by transcending the limitations of Euclidean geometry, can deliver an aesthetic that appears more organic but which can also achieve higher levels of performance.
Architecture Brady Peters David Littlefield Hugh Whitehead RIBA Spacecraft
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