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Article

Relief Method: The Analysis of Architectonic Façades by Fractal Geometry

Simonyi Károly Faculty of Engineering, Wood Sciences and Applied Arts, University of Sopron, 9400 Sopron, Hungary
Buildings 2021, 11(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11010016
Submission received: 10 November 2020 / Revised: 26 December 2020 / Accepted: 28 December 2020 / Published: 31 December 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Mathematics to Architecture)

Abstract

This paper explores the working hypothesis that fractal patterns that closely match those found in nature are more likely to convey a strong sense of genius loci to humans by comparison with ‘Euclidean’ patterns that do not occur in nature frequently. A part of this survey is concerned with showing the pattern-conscious thinking, regarding the façade composition and material textures, of historical buildings compared to different ecological or geological scenes. We also examine the background of pattern-design from architectural theory, and extrapolate the matter to certain questions about spatial quality, tectonics, and the phenomenon of place. Our most important concern is an attempt to enhance architectural arguments regarding place and character with mathematical calculations. We introduce ‘relief method’ as a possible way to capture the haptic nature of architecture beyond the patterns of its two-dimensional projections. Through this approach, façades are considered as reliefs and pictures at the same time, thus reflecting the tension between their materiality and visual representation. Fractal geometry also helps to understand how architectonic layers define scale, and by which means architecture could be translated into the human level of physical existence.
Keywords: façades; tectonics; design patterns; scaling; fractals; Hausdorff dimension; genius loci façades; tectonics; design patterns; scaling; fractals; Hausdorff dimension; genius loci

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MDPI and ACS Style

Katona, V. Relief Method: The Analysis of Architectonic Façades by Fractal Geometry. Buildings 2021, 11, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11010016

AMA Style

Katona V. Relief Method: The Analysis of Architectonic Façades by Fractal Geometry. Buildings. 2021; 11(1):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11010016

Chicago/Turabian Style

Katona, Vilmos. 2021. "Relief Method: The Analysis of Architectonic Façades by Fractal Geometry" Buildings 11, no. 1: 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11010016

APA Style

Katona, V. (2021). Relief Method: The Analysis of Architectonic Façades by Fractal Geometry. Buildings, 11(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11010016

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