Representation for practical design in Architecture

using Mathematics Expression

Seungyeul Ji1, Hanjong Jun2

1
Graduate Student, Department of Architecture, Hanyang University, Korea
2
Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Hanyang University, Korea

Abstract
This paper presents the unique formation process of a space with the support of digital algorithm
developed for mathematics expression in order to generate an effective parametric architectural form. By
applying systematic parameters of architectural conditions within digital parametric tools, the interactions
among sub-spaces developed by mathematics expression are enhanced by manipulating the spatial structures.
In this paper, we discuss how the parametric distributing and zoning geometrical system can support
designers in developing a free-formed space, and research on how this system creates a 3D volumetric space.
With the in-depth research on the system and structure of mathematics expression, the approaches to the
application of mathematics expression into architectural form generation are clarified to be an effective,
creative and successful digital tool. The result of the application of the mathematics expression improves the
design quality with systematic language in the sense that the sub-regions are created and controlled under the
systematic and balanced hierarchy having dynamic relationships among each others with the restoration of
the equilibrium of forces and tensions. This 3-dimensional mathematics expression provides another means
for designers to solve architectural issues and to reinforce their design concepts.

Keywords: Digital Algorithm, Digital Tools, Parametric Architectural Form, Mathematics Expression

1. Introduction a space has, and to accept numerous information and

Recently, Architecture has focused its universal
attention on an architectural form. Infusing the
building design into the urban context, architects were
dealing with various building design of a city such as
environmental data such as Wind energy, Solar
radiation, daylighting, etc.
In current practices, much attention is focusing on
the qualitative aspects of the design concept in order
to improve the efficiency and sustainable development
of the urban environment as a place of living. Thus,
more and more researches are conducted to study
comprehensively and systematically the urban
landmark design which consists of primary role
variable and sustainable technology.
The formation of a city is not just in the physical
form. It consists of an organized structure that can be
changed, modified, and deformed. Therefore, the city
should not be just physically defined any more.
Instead, it is demanded for the architecture to follow
the new trends of the city as new Architectural forms
are discovered and studied.
In the digital architecture, various attempts are
made to overcome the physically fixed limitations that
Contact Author: Seungyeul Ji, Graduate Student, School of
Architecture, Hanyang University, Korea
Address: 17 Haengdang-dong Seongdong-gu School of
Architecture, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Korea
Tel: +82-10-2792-3145 Fax: +82-2-2220-0264
e-mail: musicji83@gmail.com
needs from the architectural environment. We are
entering a remarkable period of time when advances
in technology - 3D displays, tangible and pervasive
computing, and the ability to extend computing to
the realm of other senses - have the potential to
radically alter computer science, and possibly its
formal foundation: mathematics. Mathematics
Expression for Architectural Form, a mathematical
and geometrical system, is one of such attempts.
Mathematics Expression for Architectural Form is
process-oriented design methodology that creates the
evolutionary space and form with support of computer
programming. In this paper, we aim for a new
generative form system of a landmark building design
in city as an organic integration using Mathematics
Expression during the concept design phase of the
architectural design process.
In Section 2, we survey the theoretical background
of the Mathematics Expression for Architectural Form
and its characteristics by searching online and offline
documentations. Also, we analyze its process of
pattern making in relation to the formation of the
diagram and the symbolic values involved within the
Mathematics Theory.
Section 3 presents the case studies of the practical
applications of Mathematics Expression in
Architecture.
In Building Information Modeling (BIM), ceiling
design, and envelop design of a building, Mathematics
Expression is effectively used as a means to construct
a spatial division model, resulting in better perception
and comprehension of the given space. The main
concern of this section is to review the applicability of
Mathematics Expression in the other architectural
practices, as well as to predict the potentialities of the
Mathematics Expression in Architectural Design,
which is followed in Section 4.
By reviewing the process and the effectiveness of
Mathematics Expression from the project in Section 4,
we can analyze the potential of the parameter-based
forming system in the Architectural Form process.
2. History and Digital Tool of Mathematics
Expression
2.1. Background of Mathematics Expression
The special of people have tried to give an
overview of mathematicians’ opinions in the last
centuries regarding the possible links between
mathematics and architecture. As was clear from the
outset, one cannot imagine or even assume that there
is a single opinion or a “mathematical theory” of
architecture. And it is natural that things should be so.
Rather than mathematical architecture,
mathematicians have an urge to discuss the problem
of architecture in mathematics.[1]
In mathematics, an expression is a finite
combination of symbols that are well-formed
according to the rules applicable in the context at hand.
Symbols can designate values constants, variable,
operation, relations, or can constitute punctuation or
other syntactic entities. The use of expression can
range from simple arithmetic operations to more
complicated constructs that can include variable,
functions, factorials, summations, derivatives and
integrals. it is a special kind of decomposition. [2]
Fig. 1. Process of Mathematics Expression
An important part of mathematics is building links
and bridges between different sectors. In Sing’s film
on “Fermat’s Last Theorem,” it is no accident that
there are several shots of San Francisco’s Golden Gate
bridge. This is one of the most important aspects of a
mathematician’s work. These motivation were at the
origin of the interest, let us say of the “natural”
interest, in architectural aspects of the new results
mathematicians have obtained in the last 25 years in
“visual mathematics” using computers. The aim was
to bring them to mind and pose question on
mathematics and architecture.[3]
Fishwick [4] describes Mathematics Expression as
“the application of the theory and practice of
architecture to the field of computing” which are used
to evaluate artifacts of computing and mathematics
from the perspective of classical aesthetic qualities
such as mimesis, symmetry, parsimony, and beauty.
Mathematics Expression has been applied for a file
compression of CAD and CAM, through the
mathematical calculation of generative shape design.
By extension, it is possible to be evolved as a
means to explain the tangible and non-tangible social
phenomenon. In addition, Mathematics Expression
has its roots in the geometrical structure, it has much
more to do with the shape formation.
Mathematics Expression aims for a system
communicating and responding actively to the
properties and the changes of the surroundings to
which the space itself belongs. Architecture creates a
space itself belongs. Architecture creates a space with
the nature by collecting information surrounding it in
order to seek a solution for architectural requirements.
Thus, Mathematics Expression theory can enhance the
applicability of the computer technology to the
architecture with the support of information that deals
with the change, adaption, and modification of a
shape.
2.2. Digital Tool for Mathematics Expression
In this brief introduction to the latest area of study,
Mathematics Expression, we first define the
terminology, then position the area in the context of
related fields that combine art, mathematics, and
computing. Mathematics Expression for Architectural
Design introduces design professionals to foundation
mathematical concepts that are necessary for effective
development of computational methods for 3D
modeling and computer graphics.
The implementation of the Mathematics Expression,
a generating topological shape, simulates the
expression exchange of other application program into
the architectural environment, and it also redesign the
whole space into a set of sub-regions according to the
data of the site.
Digital Tool for Mathematics Expression has used
Wolfram Mathematica for making of mathematics
expression, Processing for developing of 3D algorithm,
Grasshopper for producing efficiently of alternative.
Mathematics Expression based on a virtual model
created by a architect, represents a functional feedback
data flow network, which purpose is to physically
model. Fig.2 shows the equivalent 2D diagram for the
structure will show in the product of Mathematics
Expression.
 proliferating with the mathematics expression defined
from the invaluable variable. In the context of the
architecture, it would be referred to the co-adaption
which generates a space out of complex relationships
and needs among disorganized subsystems of the
environment. [5]

Table 1. 3D Model using Mathematics Expression[6]

Mathematical
VBScript notation Result
notation

Cos(Sqr(x^2+y^2))
Fig. 2. Process of Mathematics Expression

The Mathematics Expression of a variable point set

p1, p2, …, pN calculate the region of hierarchy using
mathematics algorithm, called mathematical model
C(p1), C(p2), …, C(pN). The mathematical model
shows a physical model of the Mathematics Sin(x) + Sin(y) Sin(x) + Sin(y)
Expression, found in most introductory calculus
books.

Sin(D+A) Sin(D+A)
Fig. 3. Functional description of Mathematics
Expression

One can interpret “architectural algorithm”, for

example, in several ways assuming the algorithm has
architecture traditionally associated with mathematics, Atn(x^2+y^2)
or referring to the artistic phenomena resulting from
executing the algorithm code.

2.3. Nature of Mathematics Expression

2.3.1. Form Finding

The Mathematics Expression was implemented as Sqr(Abs(x))+Sin(y)
the background information into various design ^16
alternative, especially form finding. In order to find
diverse form from variable “A” and “B”, uses the
Mathematics Expression for the analysis of the
relationships of the data from the surrounding 3. Case Studies of Architecture Practices using the
environment and the site. With the information from Mathematics Expression
the site conditions such as wind-flow, solar radiation,
and micro climate, which are created by analysing the In this section, the practical applications of
link and the relation between the principle factor of Mathematics Expression, especially in architecture,
design and the site, is connected so that it becomes a are presented and analyzed based on case studies.
means to find the reasonable form.

2.3.3. Shape Evolution 3.1. British Museum

The Mathematics Expression activates a process of
generating and evolving ruled forms interacting with
all entities of a system, the self-organization. It leads
to the evolution of the system continuously
The ceiling of British Museum consists of glass
panels. These triangle panels were created using mesh
and the methodology of how much smoothly the

ISAIA vol.1 No.1 Nov.2010 Seoungyeul Ji 3

surface can be devised followed the works of Norman
Foster. The gap between covers of the ceiling reached
up to 40 meters with weight of 800 ton. Norman
Foster generated geometric shapes with Chris
Williams and attempted a design comprised of
trilateral panels. The geometric features of the ceiling
are that the circle in the middle is connected to the
outside rectangular in a double-curved shape. Thus
Norman Foster could reduce the number of panels
from the original 10,644 eventually to the final of
3,312 through repetitive reproduction processes using
trilateral mesh. Moreover, 5,612 of box-type steel
beam are precisely integrated with 6 beams at 1.826
points. The decrease of panels and frames, as shown
above, are resulted from the relaxation of surface in
mesh. First of all, the basic idea of museum ceiling
was building mesh consisting only of equilateral
triangles with adjustment of all vertexes. However, it
was typically impossible to create the whole surface
with equilateral triangles only. To overcome this
limitation, water analysis was introduced using
simulation method with spring-mass, i.e., assuming
vertexes as mass hanged by at the end of spring, and
corners as springs, fixed vertexes in some part
interacted with the rest of vertexes in free movement;
consequently, the whole mesh achieved equilibrium.
Like this, Norman Foster used the optimization of
triangle mesh in the project. This method is called as
‘Relaxation’; all vertexes need to be projected again
onto the created surface after each relaxation process.
The projected vertexes achieve equilibrium state by
freely moving within the pre-set tolerance limits on
the created surface.[7]
Fig. 4. Mathematics Expression used for the ceiling
design of British Museum
3.2. Cockpit Building in an Acoustic Barrier
Hellsing Cockpit is the good example of addressing
the node configuration and structural relation in
mathematics expression. The project designed
soundproofing walls, which blocked the noise from
express ways, integrated with a Cockpit, a car
showroom, using flat glass trilateral panels.
ONL(Kas Oosterhuis_Lenard) conjured up a
streamlined shape of the surface through B-Spline
available only in digital program, with the animation
study aiming to express the speed of 120 kilos. The
streamlined shape consisting of numerous nodes also
captured mathematical values which changed by
scripts. Figure x. shows the procedure of securing data
necessary for producing according to the values. The
relation generated by arithmetic, expressed in
segments, inflection points, bayer curves in digital
programs, in the end is replaced with nodes and
segments connecting nodes, and finally builds the
overall shape. The node and segments connecting
nodes are restored to joints, the reference point of
construction and components; the nodes spread in the
whole building act as the reference points for process
of customized production of components. The CNC
machinery operates by the measurement and order
generated by scripts and process written by
mathematics expression arithmetic. Since the nodes
connected with one another are concrete elements,
architects visualize the nodes connecting one
component to another and emphasize the role as a
joint. In sum, the segments connecting nodes are the
decisive structure of the overall shape.[8]
Fig. 5. Mathematics Expression used for
the Cockpit Building
4. Potentiality of Mathematics Expression in
Architectural Design
In this section, we look into the project which uses
the Mathematics Expression for planning the given
district of Chicago city for the international design
competition. Although this competition was limited to Table 2. Compare Rube Project with Chicago
a specific region within the city, it has great potential Project
for the expansion of the application of the Rube Project Chicago Project
Mathematics Expression into the urban design. Represent Variable Represent Variable
The main concept of this project, the International Wind
3D Model Sound 3D Model
Velocity
Design Competition for the Chicago Mine the Gap, is
to represent the flow of the wind with the logic of the
Mathematics Expression since the designer becomes The first step of the project is to set up the attractor
increasingly interested in the efficient use of main of the site drawn from the flow of wind and hierarchy
wind-flow parameters around proposed building on a of region in order to create the generative shape of
site in Chicago. the site. These attractor are optimized by positioning
The historical design method without computing, and are used as control of the shape of base suface.
which has been used over half a century in the site, The basic variable point value for the Mathematic
cause the separation of the architectural design and Expression are extracted from GLERL(Great Lake
engineering design among the process of architecture. Environmental Research Laboratory) about Real Time
The subjective point of design has been transformed Wind Velocity and set in array according to flow of
concept on pre-design into other concept on the whole space .
construction design.
Using Mathematics Expression, this problem can be
solved by breaking the physical limits of the design
method without computing. It is working with
simulation requires the development of a
mathematical model of physical processes, and
generative computational design can now
inexpensively incorporate the advanced physics of
nonlinear behavior to explore the dynamic changes
that structures and materials undergo in response to
changes that structures and materials undergo in
response to changing conditions. Moreover, it accepts
the numbers of information and needs from the Fig. 6. Represents wind of Chicago in real time
architectural environment. Then, by Grasshopper, the base surface of the
Mathematics Expression are created with those wave.
4.1. Process of Overlapping preliminary design
The segments cannot be eliminate, but can only be
with Mathematics Expression
expanded or shrunk, since collision detection and
Architectural design is not just a single simple work, discipline maintenance based on mathematic
it consists of various professional disciplines such as algorithm. Fig.6 shows the preliminary line are laid
engineering work, landscape, and infra structure. In over the contour map in 3 dimensional.
this project, a new layer is created to integrate the
movement and the flow of the site, which plays a
critical role in linking interactions from each context.
In this project, we make the systematic rule by
taking Mathematics Expression that can organize the
shape into flexible and ruled site. The shape should
represent various activities and events reflecting the
concept. And through the analysis, we reach the
conclusion that we should make a symbolic response
structure for the active city in case it gets a wind.
Therefore, we make a condition based on the data
from we investigate, and extract two main concerns
from our analysis; the relationship and the volume of
spaces.
For the digital parametric process of the project, we
apply RUBE‘s project[9], which applies the Fig. 7. Perspective view of the project final
Mathematics Expression for media art using 3D model
and sound, and modifies it in order to fit our project’s 4.3. Advantages of the Mathematics Expression
concept. In addition, we use the Mathematica and The representation in the site is formed by the
Processing for making mathematics algorithm. relationship among environmental factor. The
consequent structure of the project reflects the

ISAIA vol.1 No.1 Nov.2010 Seoungyeul Ji 5

functions through mutual relation of each region.
Therefore, the analyzed data about environment,
calculated by Mathematics Expression, visually
represent their relationships. The Mathematics
Expression arranges the control variable points in
order to organize the shape according to the relations
of the variable points. Furthermore, the composition
of substructure is able to be changed systematically
due to parametric system.
Fig. 8. The overall design process of the project
5. Conclusions
Architecture is increasingly becoming a simulation
rather than a representation of space through
simulating phenomena of space, material, light, wind,
sound, sound, inhabitants, or contour. The study of
architecture therefore has to consider simulation as a
powerful design tool in order to understand and
implement complex relationships of the factors from
the environment.
As such, land mark building design is becoming
more complex than before. The application of
Mathematics Expression is clarified from Mine the
Gap of the Chicago project that the tendency toward
efficent design along the primary site is manifested in
the process of parametric design conducted by the use
of the Mathematics Expression system.
The result of this unique process in generating a
building shape is to form a nature-resembled structure
of the urban area, not in the sense of a ruled shape as
we commonly perceive form to be, but as efficient
design between the relationships of entities. The
advantages of the application of Mathematics
Expression can be summarized as follows;
1) Enhancement of the accessibility of visitors to
all the key places in the site data.
2) More interactive and dynamic relationships of
structure system.
3) Establishment of the systematic design process
for landmark building design using parametric
system.
4) Diversity of design alternatives in a balanced
hierarchy system.
5) Representation of the Mathematics Expression
and the Situation data among real time
situation.
The results of Chicago project shows a promising
first step in the applicability of the Mathematics
Expression in architectural planning although it was
limited to a district within Computer simulation.
Further studies are demanded to expand the concept
and the effectiveness of the Mathematics Expression
system in order to apply it for a product as a mockup.
As architects become more accustomed to working
directly with construction manufacturers at the
inception of a design, the potential benefits of
integrating manufacturing processes into the design
generation will become more evident and more widely
adopted.
6. Acknowledgement
This research was conducted with the support of
Sustainable Architecture Professional Education
Center (SAPEC), Brain Korea 21, Hanyang
University, Korea. We especially thank to Jaekyung
Lee, Designersfinger Lab. for his in-depth co-work
and support on Chicago project.
7. References
1.Penrose, Roger. 1989 The Emperor’s New Mind.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 74 ~ 78.
2.Mathematics Expression, Wikipedia Online,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expression_(mathema
tics)
3.Doxiadis, Apostols. 2000. Uncle Petros and the
Gold Conjecture. London: Faber & Faber
4.Fishwick, Paul. September-October 2002b.
“Aesthetic Computing: Making Artistic
Mathematics and Software.” YLEM Journal,
Special issue on Art and Programming. 10(22):
6_11.
5.Helmut P, Andreas A. Michael H. Axel K. (2007)
Architectural Geometry. Bentley Institute Press,
615
6.David, Rutten. 2007 Rhino Script for Rhinoceros
4.0, pp. 95 ~ 96.
7.Steel, James. 2001 Architecture and Computer: action
and reaction in the digital revolution, Laurence King,
London,
8.Sander, Boerm. 2004. Cockpit Building in an
AcousticBarrier.
9.Rube Project, University of Florida,
http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~fishwick/rube/