PENTAGONHOUSE.COM

The background research for this project spans mathematics, geometry and natural growth patterns. Most buildings are square or rectangular to make optimum use of space. But this research proposes that space-saving criteria should not be paramount in the design of a container for the living human form.
 
There is much hidden geometry in nature including the human design and there are obvious structures in many crystalline inorganic forms. However, organic living forms have much more subtle geometry and hidden mathematical relationships such as Φ Phi (Golden Ratio) and the Fibonacci Series that are also intrinsic to the shape of the regular five-sided pentagon. This research was an attempt to design and build a modular solution that incorporated these relationships.
 
Many architects and designers are exploring the new fluidity of organic forms enabled by computers and digital manufacturing, but much of this experimentation even with circular forms is beyond the cost parameters of conventional residential approaches.
A modular approach based on mathematics and geometry found in nature rather than square or rectangular space-filling structures has great potential for the residential housing market. Darrall's early artistic explorations were publicly exhibited  ("Hand-Flower-Pentagon" and "Delicious Golden Section" at the Techne Exhibition, UTS Gallery, Australia, 2000). The line drawing below the apple shows the more subtle relationship of the pentagon and pentagram to the spiral growth of most organic life and the 'phyllotaxis' of leaf growth. The house itself was 'completed' in 2009.
 
If you are interested in knowing more about this project please contact Darrall Thompson, Senior Lecturer and Director of Teaching and Learning at the School of Design, University of Technology, Sydney : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
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