Rythms in Geometry

"Geometry is the language of man.....he has discovered rythms, the rythms apparent to the eye and clear in their relations with one another. And these rythms are at the very root of human activities. They resound in man by an organic inevitability, the same fine inevitability which causes the tracing out of Golden Section by children, old men, savages and the learned." Le Corbusier, Towards A New Architecture, 1931.


Very often exceptional conceptual ideas suffer during the process of execution, in large part because we as designers fail to understand the embedded rules of geometric composition. "These principles include, understanding the classic proportions such as golden section and root rectangles, ratios and proportions, interrelationships of forms and regulating lines."

In this writing, I have tried to highlight the classic design of the Barcelona chair. It is difficult to comprehend that such a contemporary, classical piece was designed and produced more than 80 years ago. The Barcelona Chair is a symphony of detailed design based on a simple square. "The height of the chair is equal to the length which is equal to the depth, i.e. it fits perfectly into a cube." The rectangles of leather on the cushions are in root 2 rectangle propotion attached to a steel frame. The same rectangles were designed so that when the chair was upholstered they would still be perfect rectangles despite the stress and tension of the upholstery process. The  script “X” construction of the legs form an elegant frame and lasting trademark for the chair.....Sourcce: Geometry of Design by Kimberly Elam

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