Nexus Network Journal 14,1: Architecture and Mathematics

Description

The Winter 2012 (vol. 14 no. 1) issue of the Nexus Network Journal is dedicated to the theme “Architecture, Systems Research and Computational Sciences”. This is an outgrowth of the session by the same name which took place during the eighth international, interdisciplinary conference “Nexus 2010: Relationships between Architecture and Mathematics, held in Porto, Portugal, in June 2010. Today computer science is an integral part of even strictly historical investigations, such as those concerning the construction of vaults, where the computer is used to survey the existing building, analyse the data and draw the ideal solution. What the papers in this issue make especially evident is that information technology has had an impact at a much deeper level as well: architecture itself can now be considered as a manifestation of information and as a complex system. The issue is completed with other research papers, conference reports and book reviews. Cover Title Page Table of Contents Letter from the Editor Architecture, Systems Research and Computational Sciences About the author Dealing with Information, Complex Dynamics and Organizations: Notes on Architecture, Systems Research and Computational Sciences Introduction Notes on systems research, and computational sciences: from the circular model to a second-order Exchanges with the art forms and its architectural legacy Concluding notes Notes References About the author Information, Architecture, Complexity Introduction Architecture and complexity Patterns of relationsips Patterns in information technology Architectural patterns revisited Notes Bibliography About the author After the Paradigm of Contemporary Physics in Architecture: Spatial Possibilities and Variations Architecture in space and time Architecture and movement Architecture and dimension Architecture and topology Architecture after the concepts of modern physics Acknowledgment Notes References About the author Informational Architectures of the SSA and Knud Lönberg-Holm Introduction The Structural Study Associates (SSA) and Shelter Knud Lönberg-Holm: architect of information Design for enviornmental controls and the technician on the cultural front Planning for Productivity and the Development Index World Indexing Projects Epitome of Navigation Role of the mass media of information Notes References About the author Modularity and Proportions in Architecture and their Relevance to a Generative Approach to Architectural Design 1 Modularity and proportions in architecture 1.1 Measure 1.2 Module 1.3 Proportions 2 Relationships between architecture and music 2.1 Spatial magnitudes and sounds 2.2 Modules, proportions, and musical scales 2.3 The equivalent of counterpoint (contrappunto) in architecture 3 Generative processes 3.1 Attractors and time 3.2 Self-similarity and proportions 3.3 A search for counterpoint in architecture: experiments References About the author Counterpoint in the Visual Arts. A Perspective Based on my Graphical and Sculptural Work Introduction Graphical work and counterpoint Levels of meaning in a single work Higher dimensions and basics of the method Higher dimensions in art Philosophical comments Space-time, evanescence of being, and non-verbal poetry Graphical work and counterpoint Sculptures and counterpoint Kepler and the golden section The golden section, tilings and projections from higher dimensions Sculptures tiled with mirrors Mirror based photography Counterpoint and sculptural work Conclusion Notes References About the author Didactics Fractal Shape Introduction Fractal shape Fractals Fractal architecture Structure of the discipline Conclusion Acknowledgment Notes References About the authors Möbius Strip Segmented into Flat Trapezoids: Design-Build Project by the Departments of Architecture and Mathematics of the Technische Universität Darmstadt 1. Introduction: the Möbius strip as a trade fair stand 2. Mathematical problem: constructing a Möbius strip out of regular flat trapezoids 3. Designing and constructing the trade fair stand 4. An interactive application that offers solutions to the mathematical / geometrical problem 5. Building and operating the trade fair stand 6. Conclusion Acknowledgments Further information About the authors Other Research Architecture as a Mathematical Function: Reflections on Gottfried Semper Introduction Gottfried Semper’s equation The place of mathematics in Semper’s life Mathematical functions Art and functional dependency Acknowledgments Notes References About the author From Drawing to Technical Drawing Notes Bibliography About the author Domes in the Islamic Architecture of Cairo City: A Mathematical Approach 1 Introduction 1.1 Problem definition 1.2 Objectives 1.3 Methodology 2 The origin of the domes and their types 2.1 Spherical domes 2.2 Elliptical domes 3 Methods of supporting domes in Islamic architecture 3.1 The mathematical analysis of squinches 3.2 The mathematical analysis of pendentives 4 Some common forms of the domes used in Cairo’s Islamic architecture 5 Validation 6 Summary Acknowledgments References About the author The Vault of the Chapel of the Presentation in Burgos Cathedral: “Divine Canon? No, Cordovan Proportion” Introduction The Chapel of the Presentation in Burgos Cathedral The Cordovan proportion: Cordovan rectangle vs. Cordovan triangle Geometric Analysis Data acquisition Layout of the vault Results Conclusions Acknowledgments Notes References About the author Book Review Eleven Exercises in the Art of Architectural Drawing: Slow Food for the Architect’s Imagination by Marco Frascari slow/fast digital/non-digital design/drawing tools About the reviewer