CNN ran an interesting article yesterday on Michael Hansmeyer, a Swiss architect who has utilized some fairly sophisticated mathematics and computational tools to bring a new dimension to classical Gothic column architecture. At this point, there seems to be no general consensus as to the aesthetic qualities of Hansmeyer's work, but I contend no one can disagree with his work's technical merits.
To design his "sci-fi"-style columns, Hansmeyer utilizes subdivision, a computer animation technology that has made its fame in film and gaming. Classically, subdivision generates a smooth surface via the specification of a coarse, polygonal mesh and a limiting recursive process. For example, a sphere can be generated by applying the so-called Catmull-Clark subdivision scheme to a cube (it should be noted that Edwin Catmull, for whom the Catmull-Clark scheme is named, is one of the founders of Pixar Studios).
To create his unique designs, Hansmeyer has modified classical subdivision schemes such as Catmull-Clark in ways such that rougher, fractal-like (though not really self-similar) limit surfaces may be attained. For example, the image below displays the effect of applying one of Hansmeyer's modified subdivision schemes to a tetrahedron.
Here is another thing I discovered while glancing through Hansmeyer's webpage: there is an entire annual conference dedicated to the marriage of art and mathematics, and this conference appears to be both well-attended and chock full of impressive speakers. For instance, William Paul Thurston, a 1982 Fields Medal recipient for his work on three-manifolds, will be one of the plenary speakers at this year's gathering. Pretty cool stuff.
I would just like to mention in closing the enormous role computation now seems to play in architecture. One of the members of my research group was actually an architect and part-time instructor at Pratt Institute in New York City before he came to Texas to work on a graduate degree in mechanical engineering. He has spoken on many occasions about the prevalence of computer aided design (CAD) software in modern-day architecture. For example, the CAD software package CATIA was used by Frank Gehry to design the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and it was recently used to help build the Beijing National Stadium for the 2008 Summer Olympics. And now fractal-like columns using subdivision? I am anxious to see what crazy things architects will present us with in the future.
To design his "sci-fi"-style columns, Hansmeyer utilizes subdivision, a computer animation technology that has made its fame in film and gaming. Classically, subdivision generates a smooth surface via the specification of a coarse, polygonal mesh and a limiting recursive process. For example, a sphere can be generated by applying the so-called Catmull-Clark subdivision scheme to a cube (it should be noted that Edwin Catmull, for whom the Catmull-Clark scheme is named, is one of the founders of Pixar Studios).
To create his unique designs, Hansmeyer has modified classical subdivision schemes such as Catmull-Clark in ways such that rougher, fractal-like (though not really self-similar) limit surfaces may be attained. For example, the image below displays the effect of applying one of Hansmeyer's modified subdivision schemes to a tetrahedron.
Here is another thing I discovered while glancing through Hansmeyer's webpage: there is an entire annual conference dedicated to the marriage of art and mathematics, and this conference appears to be both well-attended and chock full of impressive speakers. For instance, William Paul Thurston, a 1982 Fields Medal recipient for his work on three-manifolds, will be one of the plenary speakers at this year's gathering. Pretty cool stuff.
I would just like to mention in closing the enormous role computation now seems to play in architecture. One of the members of my research group was actually an architect and part-time instructor at Pratt Institute in New York City before he came to Texas to work on a graduate degree in mechanical engineering. He has spoken on many occasions about the prevalence of computer aided design (CAD) software in modern-day architecture. For example, the CAD software package CATIA was used by Frank Gehry to design the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and it was recently used to help build the Beijing National Stadium for the 2008 Summer Olympics. And now fractal-like columns using subdivision? I am anxious to see what crazy things architects will present us with in the future.
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