Soran university

faculty of education
mathematical department

Geometry of Architecture

Prepared by: Supervised:

Rayan Shahab Haideh Ghaderi
Gardi Azad

4/22/2024
Content:
• Introduction.
• The connection between geometry and architecture.
• The origin of geometry in architecture.
• How architects have used geometry of architecture in the past and now.
• The most famous geometric concepts and shapes used in architecture.

4/22/2024 1
 Introduction
Have you ever stood in front of a building in awe and wondered how the architect made it
look so great?
The answer lies in the geometry of architecture.

4/22/2024 2
The connection between geometry and architecture.
• To understand geometry of architecture, we
must first understand what geometry is.
Geometry is the branch of mathematics that studies
shapes, sizes, and positions of objects in 2D and 3D

• So what is geometry of architecture?

Geometry of architecture is the art and science of
designing buildings based on geometric rules.

4/22/2024 3
The origin of geometry in architecture
• To understand the geometry of architecture, we first need to understand the origin
of geometry itself.
Vitruvius, the ancient Roman architect and writer, famously claimed that buildings that
are good have three conditions:
 Commodity.
 Firmness.
 Delight.

4/22/2024 4
The origin of geometry in architecture
Geometry has been a part of architecture since ancient times. But during the
Renaissance, geometry became a more formal subject and was more fully
integrated into architecture.

• Architects such as Leon Battista Alberti and Filippo Brunelleschi, who were active
during the 15th century, were particularly interested in the mathematical principles
underlying architecture and used geometry to design buildings that were more
structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.
• In the 17th century, Johannes Kepler made one of the most important contributions to
geometry of architecture.
Kepler’s work on the laws of planetary motion showed how important geometry is
for understanding the physical world.

4/22/2024 5
How architects have used geometry of architecture
in the past and now.

• Historical use of Geometry of Architecture:

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans appreciated geometry of architecture
like no other. You can see it evident in their buildings and structures still standing
today.

4/22/2024 6
The great pyramid of Giza is just one marvelous example. We have no idea how
they built it. but one thing we are sure of is that it is a true geometric wonder:

a) The great pyramid base is a perfect square, each side

measuring about 230 meters (755 feet), with an
error of only a few centimeters.
b) The pyramid’s sides are inclined at an angle of 51
degrees and 51 minutes, forming an almost perfect
pyramid shape.
c) The pyramid’s interior is also geometrically
fascinating. Its descending passage is aligned with
the pyramid’s north face and is precisely 26.6
degrees downward, reflecting the angle of the
pyramid’s slope.

4/22/2024 7
• Examples of geometry in Architecture:

The Parthenon in Athens, Greece, is another

famous example of geometry of architecture. The
use of geometry is evident in the harmony and
balance of the temple design. For example:
The building’s columns, friezes, and pediments
are all based on precise geometric calculations,
with the ratio of the building’s height to its width
being a perfect

4/22/2024 8
The Taj Mahal in India is one of the best examples of geometry of architecture.
Many people even take it a step further and think of Taj Mahal as the most beautiful
buildings in the world due to its geometry.
Geometry is evident In Taj Mahal, from the tiniest details, such as patterns, to the
largest, such as the building’s symmetry.

4/22/2024 9
How do architects use geometry today?
The use of geometry in modern architecture is not as strict as in the past.
I think this transformation happened for two reasons:
1. Technology advancement.
2. The evolution of architecture.

4/22/2024 10
 Importance of geometry in Architecture

1. Structural integrity.
2. Sense of proportion and scale.
3. The user experience.

4/22/2024 11
Geometrical Concepts in Architecture:
Various geometric concepts make up the architecture we admire today. Let’s define
and talk about some of the most common ones used in architecture:

1. Symmetry.
2. Tessellation.
3. Golden Ratio

4/22/2024 12
Geometric Shapes in Architecture:
Geometric shapes in architecture are more than just an aesthetic choice. Each
geometric shape has its own functional and structural implications that can impact
the overall design of a building.
1. Rectangles.
2. Triangles.
3. Circles and Spirals.
4. Squares.
5. Hexagons.

4/22/2024 13
• Rectangles.
Rectangles are the most common geometric shape used in architecture.
Example of building that use rectangles in their design include the Empire State
Building in New York City

4/22/2024 14
• Triangles
Triangles is the most powerful geometric shape because it can’t be distorted in any
direction. Architects use triangles more in landmarks and public installations than in
buildings such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Pyramids.

4/22/2024 15
• Circles and Spirals
Circles and Spirals are not as common in architecture as rectangles, but they still have
their place.
Examples of buildings that use circles in their design include the Guggenheim Museum
in New York City.

4/22/2024 16
• Squares
Squares are similar to rectangles in that they are easy to work with and create a
sense of order in a building’s design.
Example of building that use square in their design include the base of Pyramids.

4/22/2024 17
• Hexagons
Architects don’t use hexagons as much as they do other shapes, but they’ve become
more popular in recent years.
For example, see the Honeycomb Apartments in Slovenia and the Denver Art
Museum in Colorado, which include hexagons in their design.

4/22/2024 18
 Reference

1. https://mydesigndays.com/geometry-of-architecture/
2. https://nypost.com/2014/01/26/the-secret-history-of-the-
parthenon/
3. https://www.esbnyc.com/about/facts-figures

4/22/2024