FRACTAL GEOMETRY IN ARCHITECTURE

SARTHAK MAKKAR
ABSTRACT
“Why is geometry often describes as “cold” and “dry?” One reason lies in its inability
to describe the shape of a cloud, a mountain, a coastline, or a tree. Clouds are not
spheres, mountains are not cones, coastlines are not circles, and bark is not smooth,
nor does lightning travel in a straight line”
Benoit Mandelbrot
What is Fractal Geometry
Fractal geometry is a middle ground between the order
that was created by Euclid and that between the chaos of
general inorganic shapes. This term was coined by Benoit
Mandelbrot to describe the geometry of amorphous
objects such as trees and clouds and had no
representation in Euclid’s geometry. Fractal geometry as
opposed to Euclid’s geometry as opposed to Euclid’s
geometry describes nature-like objects in a better way. It
can be found everywhere, from coastlines, to clouds,
mountains, trees and even architecture.
What is Fractal Geometry
Fractals are self-similar, reiterated, and start depend on the starting conditions. Another
characteristic is that fractals are complicated but can still be described by simple algorithms.
One of the best examples of fractal geometry is the Koch Snowflake and the Sierpinski’s Triangle

Koch Snowflake Serpienski’s Triangle

Need for Research
Architectural forms are very much based on Euclid’s geometry, but
also has some fractal components as well. Fractal geometry has
been applied in architecture design widely to create fractal
structures of cities as well as urban areas and successfully in
building geometry and design patterns. Although fractal
components in architecture are limited to façade and skin designs,
there is a need to know whether fractals can be incorporated in
other design stages like, planning, structural systems as well as
sustainability. Fractal geometry is an interesting fusion of
mathematics and information technology, two things that heavily
shape the process of designing a building and thus needs to be
researched more about in depth.
Research Questions
The intent of the research paper is to explore the various
connections between fractal geometry and architecture
at different scales
•What solutions can Fractal geometry provide for
sustainability in buildings
•What can be the role of fractal geometry in solving
structural issues

Aim
Understanding the importance of fractal geometry in
architecture and all its aspects emphasising on resolution
of structures using Fractal Geometry
 Methodology
Definition of Fractal Geometry from the perspective of an architect and
1. application of Fractal Geometry in Architecture since ages.

Understanding why Fractal Geometry is not much relevant among

2. practicing architects.

3. Setting a criteria for selection of case study and choosing case studies
relevant to the topic to collect data

Analysing the outcomes of case studies to understand relevance

4. and importance of Fractal Geometry in structural applications
Literature Review
Literature Review has been done along three different aspects

1. Fractal Geometry in Ancient Indian Architecture

2. Fractal Geometry in Modern Architecture, Urban
Development and Interiors
3. Fractal Geometry in Structure and Structural Elements
1. Fractal Geometry in Ancient Indian Architecture
Self-similarity is one of the basic principles of
organization in the Hindu Temple
Architecture. Study of fractals and linking it
to the formation of a Hindu temple make the
process easier of understanding these
temples. All the elements including the
Toranas, Gopurams, miniature shrines,
Pushkarinis etc. either have been repeated in
a disciplined order or have been constructed
following the rules of fractal theory. The
enclosures of these halls and the spaces
gradually take the shape following the fractal
theory. As is the case of two-dimensional
plans, fractal also controls the formation of
the elevations in three dimensions.

Role of Fractal Geometry in Indian Hindu Temple Architecture, Dhrubajyoti Sardar

1. Fractal Geometry in Ancient Indian Architecture
As seen in temples, Fractals also play a major role in
Step Wells and Water tanks in India. Step wells show
fractals in terms of repetition of the architectural
features like alternate arrangement of the pavilion, steps
descending and open to sky areas. The depth and width
of approach steps, number of entry points, diameter
and depth of well bottom are the factors analyzed for
various step wells. The architectural design depends on
the depth of ground water table and type of soil.

Fractal Geometry in Water Conservation Structures: Step Wells and Tanks in India, Samirsinh P. Parmar
2. Fractal Geometry in Modern Architecture, Urban Development and Interiors
The fractal approach as a research method, a
way of designing and modelling architectural
forms helps in creating amazing and beautiful
structures and complexes of buildings as seen
in the works of architects such as Antoni
Gaudi, Zaha Hadid, Jem Utzon, Gottlieb Eltel
Saarinen, Renzo Piano, Gottfried Böhm, Frank
Owen Gehry. In such different shaped
buildings like the skyscrapers tower
"Evolution", “Moscow”, "Shanghai Tower” and
Daniel Libeskind house, two properties of
fractal geometry can be traced: dissymmetry
and scaling

Fractal geometry and design of modern structures; Irina Mayatskaya*, Irina Kashina, Natalia Gerlein, and Batyr Yazyev
3. Fractal Geometry in Structure and Structural Elements
COLUMNS
The fractal property of self-similarity and self-
organization can easily be observed in the branching
pattern of trees. Trees are organisms that stand by
themselves, so their shape has an inherent structural
rationality. It uses its natural intelligence to obtain the
best form at minimum use of energy.

CAPITAL
One of the first examples of a true wooden dendriforms are the Chinese
Dougong Brackets, dating back more than two thousand years, mainly
found in Chinese temples and palaces. Dougong ‫׳‬s lowest bracket takes
the load of its immediate upper bracket which is longer (almost double)
than the lower one. This new bracket is projected outward as a cantilever.
Later, another bracket is placed on the second and so on. Generally, each
bracket is oriented perpendicular to the lower.