Fractal Geometry in Architecture and Design (Design Science Collection) [Hardcover]

Carl Bovill (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3764337958 | ISBN-13: 978-3764337957 | Publication Date: September 1995

Fractal geometry is the formal study of mathematical shapes that display a progression of never-ending, self-similar, meandering detail from large to small scales. It has the descriptive power to capture, explain, and enhance one's appreciation of and control over complex diversity. Natural shapes and rhythms, such as leaves, tree branching, mountain ridges, flood levels of a river, wave patterns, and nerve impulses, display this cascading behaviour. These fractal concepts are found in many fields, from physics to musical composition.
Architecture and design, concerned with control over rhythm, and with such fractal concepts as the progression of forms from a distant view down to the intimate details, can benefit from the use of this relatively new mathematical tool. Fractal geometry is a rare example of a technology that reaches into the core of design composition, allowing the architect or designer to express a complex understanding of nature.
The exposition of the book is at a level suitable for applied scientists, architects, and students with a modest background in mathematics. It is well illustrated and has numerous examples from which to learn the underlying concepts and their applications. Thus the book is addressed to a wide audience with a multiplicity of interests in new compositional ideas.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carl Bovill is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland at College Park. He has taught at California State University in San Luis Obispo and at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He has received from the American Institute of Architects both an Education Honors Award, for technical systems integration in design instruction, and the AIA School Medal for excellence in the study of architecture.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 195 pages
• Publisher: Birkhauser (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3764337958
• ISBN-13: 978-3764337957
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,017,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only book I've seen that understands both subjects, January 7, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fractal Geometry in Architecture and Design (Design Science Collection) (Hardcover)

Bovill does a good job of explaining the principles of fractal geometry in layman's terms for those not already familiar with them. I was particularly impressed with his understanding of how fractal dimension varies with scale and which scales are important for architecture. However, I was disappointed that there were no references made to structural properties of fractals and how they might have excellent strength to weight ratios for a wide range of scales. Everything was taken from a design perspective concerned with texture.