..Mathematics!
Geography and culture influence the architectural expression of every civilization, and in turn, the design intent of any building becomes an extension of the beliefs of the culture they represent. If not for this diversity of beliefs and ideas, all buildings in the world would look the same. But, in spite of the diverse materials and methods, there is a force that unifies all architecture in the world under one universal language – Mathematics.
India, the land of diversity – the land of mathematics and architecture. Languages, religions, subcultures dictate Architecture.
Nowhere else in the world will you see temples, mosques and churches along with Buddhist monasteries coexisting peacefully in the same community along with new construction. Growing up an adamant agnostic, I visited these religious edifices with family and friends, but to me the God was in the Architecture-God was in the details of these structures, not in a idol in front of me. Every religious monument that has survived the brunt of nature and lived to tell the story of a culture has always offered much more insight into the level of their mathematical advancement than the God they chose to believe in.
South Indian Hindu temples have followed the principles of fractals in design, and Trigonometry. Education later explained Fractals as “infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across different scales”, but fractals were explained to me through architecture much before that. Prime knots and Borromean Triangles adored temple pillars as carvings. The walls and ceilings had elaborate geometrical motifs. It makes you wonder, was there a Design Guideline for Temples on how to incorporate Advanced Mathematics in Architecture to educate the community?
Tessellating polygons were used in motifs along the expanses of the walls of a mosque. Advanced concepts in Geometry were used to form innovative dome shapes like the eight-point star instead of rotating ribs. The monuments also combined acoustics with geometry, incorporating elements like whispering galleries and echo chambers. Were they given algorithms to use in design and construction? What was the intent of mathematical extravaganza at a mausoleum? Were art and mathematics integral components of Architecture much before the push to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) STEAM (STEM +Art and Design)?
The Golden Ratio. Fibonacci Sequences. Symmetry. Alignment. Hyperbolic Paraboloids. Hyperboloids. Arches. Domes. Tetrahedrons. They are not all parts of a Mathematics book, they are design principles and components used in Church Architecture. Construction methods advanced heavily using the mathematical principles. Did mathematics evolve to help execute design ideas? Did design evolve based on mathematical discoveries? Were the pioneer architects mathematicians, architects and masons with extensive work experience?
Architecture is, is a three-dimensional mathematical model that is abstract and absolute at the same time. The proportion and massing of buildings is an abstract idea, but every building detail is an absolute solution to that idea. Under the banner of Architecture, every building is a time capsule to showcase the philosophical, mathematical and artistic developments of that era. All you need to do is look up, and look around to see the relation.
Architecture and Mathematics turned into Religious Architecture and Mathematics. Alright. I will leave you with a smile on your face. Did you know that the Chinese Architects used the “Theory of Geometric Progression” to design Harems so that the Emperor didn’t have scheduling issues for his nightly pleasure?
Want to read what my Architect friends thought about when Bob Borson said “Architecture and ________?” Visit the links, share them on Twitter, and like them on Facebook if you can – According to the Theories and Principles of Statistical Data mining, Architects can benefit from that kind of love:
Bob Borson – Life of An Architect (@bobborson)
Life of an Architect
Jeff Echols – Architect Of The Internet (@Jeff_Echols)
Architecture and a Future Without Architects
Lee Calisti, AIA – Think Architect (@LeeCalisti)
architecture and __
Lora Teagarden – L² Design, LLC (@L2DesignLLC)
Architecture and Travel
Jes Stafford – MODwelling (@modarchitect)
Architecture and Gaming
Eric T. Faulkner – Rock Talk (@wishingrockhome)
architecture and m&ms
Rosa Sheng – EquitybyDesign [EQxD] (@EquityxDesign)
Architecture And the Era of Connection
Michele Grace Hottel – Michele Grace Hottel, Architect (@mghottel)
#ArchiTalks 18: architecture and… the bigger picture
Meghana Joshi – IRA Consultants, LLC (@MeghanaIRA)
Architalks 18: Architecture and Mathematics
Amy Kalar – ArchiMom (@AmyKalar)
Architalks 18: Architecture and … Parenting
Michael Riscica – Young Architect (@YoungArchitxPDX)
Architecture and Yoga
brady ernst – Soapbox Architect (@bradyernstAIA)
Architecture and Ego
Michael LaValley – Evolving Architect (@archivalley)
Architecture and Ego / The Architect’s Unique Struggle with ‘Good’ Design
Sharon George – Architecture By George (@sharonraigeorge)
Architecture and Kids
Emily Grandstaff-Rice – Emily Grandstaff-Rice FAIA (@egrfaia)
Architecture and More
Jarod Hall – di’velept (@divelept)
Architecture and the Myth of the Master Builder
Jeffrey A Pelletier – Board & Vellum (@boardandvellum)
Architecture and Interior Design
Samantha Raburn – The Aspiring Architect (@TheAspiringArch)
Architecture and Wrestling
Keith Palma – Architect’s Trace (@cogitatedesign)
Architecture + Memories
Adam Denais – Defragging Architecture (@DefragArch)
[#ArchiTalks 18] Architecture and Strange Travel Etiquette
Jim Mehaffey – Yeoman Architect (@jamesmehaffey)
Architecture and…my Generation.
Marica McKeel – Studio MM (@ArchitectMM)
Architecture and Photography
Archichats 
a good equation for architecture (i get lost when they add the alphabet though)
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So much can be said about mathematics – and how intuition is driven secretly by math as well. With a genius wife and son who are all about math, I have learned to appreciate the beauty in numbers and their relationships. I guess we’d disagree on the origin of mathematics, but that’s another day to have a conversation.
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