Nexus Network Journal最新文献

Anne Tyng’s notion of metamorphology is introduced in relation to three of the architect’s residential space structures. The interpretation of this body of work is viewed through the lens of the octetruss to examine the evolution of Tyng’s design approach where the interplay between Platonic geometries and their transformations demonstrates exponential formal and functional opportunity. This analysis provides a foundation for a constructive theory on Tyng’s space structures. The theory is constructive in two directions. First, in that it defines a lattice of spatial relations and their transformations to reconceptualize the houses, and second, in that these same conceptualizations motivate a shape grammar that produces prototypes for space structures rooted in Tyng’s examples. Sample reconfigurations generated with the grammar are offered to support discussion on the value of a metamorphological design approach and how it recalibrates understanding of Tyng’s work to inspire ongoing reinvention.

This paper suggests a workflow that generates floor plans with structural elements. Generating structural layouts in a BIM environment with the implementation of a machine learning method allows a future projection for fast and easy exploration of multiple design options. Pix2Pix, a Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) model, takes the wall layout as input and generates a structural layout by learning from existing knowledge used to generate a decision support system for structural layout generation. The paper also suggest an additional script as a fine-adjustment model to refine the structural layout based on predetermined structural rules. This script increases the accuracy of the structural layouts generated by the GAN algorithm. Based on the test dataset, the research demonstrates a 64% success rate in providing structural schema assistance. Considering the results, this study seems to have the potential to be a supportive application in the early design phase.

Can we compute what we cannot draw? How must we draw to produce measurable representations, or visual ones? This research inquires into the relationship between mathematics and figurative representation, and more precisely between drawing and computation. The scientific imagery studied here is the representation of the five platonic solids, discussing various representation techniques from classical antiquity to modern times, and their efficacy to help calculate sizes and proportional ratios. Scholars in history of architectural drawing have too often limited their observations to the very few preserved plans and front views dating back to classical antiquity, without enlarging their investigation to other scientific fields that also rely on drawing as a research tool and communication device. Among these other fields stands the mathematical research, especially solid geometry which deals with objects and entities that have shapes that needs to be somehow drawn in 3D to be studied.

Architecture and music have a potential to trigger similar psychological effects in people due to commonalities in artistic and structural properties. Current studies exploring the relationship between architecture and music have often focused on analyzing how music can inspire architectural design, but there have been a lack of studies exploring artistic and structural commonalities between architecture and music in such a context. Therefore, this study adopts semiotics and analogy as an interdisciplinary approach aiming to comprehensively investigate connections and commonalities between architecture and music, particularly in terms of design forms and organization patterns. Using the architecture of the Forbidden City, and the musical piece Palace Memories, as selected cases for this study, this research demonstrates how both of the cases’ artistic forms can be translated into structural similarities in terms of both architecture and music. The results of this study reveal significant commonalities in forms and patterns across the fields of architecture and music for the selected cases. This study provides new perspectives for better understanding potential connections between the two fields, and how each may shed new light and provide surprising insights on the other.

The research on the interpretation of mathematics as part of the sciences of mind, introduced as ‘Geisteswissenschaften’ in the German philosophy, reflects the relationship between mathematics and arts, including architecture. This study focuses on the early works of the philosopher Max Bense where he described the contours of an intellectual history of mathematics related to philosophy. He pointed out strong relationships between mathematics and all areas of human creation abilities. In particular, his investigations on the relationship between arts, including architecture, and mathematics in important historical phases reveal that the mathematics of an age is reflected aesthetically in the artistic styles or theories of art. His thesis posits that a high point in mathematics corresponds to a high point in art. Later on, Bense developed an aesthetic theory on the basis of mathematics, semiotics and information theory.

Abstract

The principal curvature (PC) of a freeform surface, as an important indicator of its fundamental features, is frequently used to guide their rationalization in the field of architectural geometry. The division of a surface using its PC lines into principal strips (PSs) is an innovative way to break down a freeform surface for construction. However, the application of PC networks in architectural design is hindered by the difficulty to generate them and flexibly control their density. This paper introduces a method for PS-based reconstruction of freeform surfaces with different umbilical conditions in the early stages of design. An agent-based modeling approach is developed to find the umbilics and increase the degree of control over the spacing of PC lines. This research can effectively expand the application range of PS-based surface reconstruction methods for freeform architectures.

The Bridges Conference has been running on an annual basis since 1998 and is the foremost international conference dedicated to connections between mathematics and the arts, design and culture. In 2023, Bridges took place at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The conference ran from July 27 to 31, and was packed with a wide variety of plenary and contributed lectures, workshops, exhibitions, performances and public events. This article reports on the scientific, artistic and cultural programme and experience, from the viewpoint of a participant who is an academic mathematician based in Ireland.

This letter from the guest editors introduces Vol. 26(1) of the Nexus Network Journal: Architecture and Mathematics. This special issue, with the theme ‘Analytical Design in Architecture: New Developments’, presents a convergence of historical and contemporary computational methodologies in architecture. The eleven contributions to this issue harness the power of diverse forms of analytical knowledge to create new, intuitive planning platforms and offer designers constructive feedback on novel design methodologies. The topics presented in this issue range from pragmatic design algorithms to the intuitive understanding of traditional architecture, and from the abstract space to experience-oriented education.

Digital design techniques and fabrication technologies have become essential in architectural design, influencing the design process significantly. The pursuit of form in both digital and physical environments is a priority in architectural education, promoting the development of students’ multidimensional thinking skills. This article discusses a graduate course that aims to introduce digital design concepts and their integration with the fabrication techniques. The course focuses on students’ interaction with digital tools during the design and fabrication stages, particularly emphasizing the design of interlocking modular structures. Through experiential engagement with design and fabrication tools, students enhance their problem-solving skills and gain new knowledge. The course concludes with testing the digital and physical production stages, demonstrating the positive impact of digital design techniques on students’ learning and creative abilities.

The paper collects prior studies about the cavities in the northern portion of Pompeii’s fortification. The exceptional circumstances that characterize the unearthed city allow to ascribe those cavities to the blows of the artillery employed by the Romans in the first century BC during the siege. The survey of the cavities was carried out via traditional methods and enabled to derive ballistic data to quantify the power of the arms used. In conclusion, the paper suggests that a photogrammetric survey would be opportune. The precise and accurate geometric and radiometric characterization of the cavities will be prodromal to the virtual construction of 3D digital twins (negative–positive) and will support the mechanical analyses. The results will be employed to reconstruct Roman artillery (ballistae and catapults) suitable for a correct/reliable reconstruction of the siege followed by and innovative dissemination of the image of ancient Pompeii.