Tok Math and Design

Design & Mathematics
By: Anna and Izzy

Design and Technology (DT):
WHAT IS IT? DOMAINS? COUNTLESS.

the art of problem-solving and food and nutrition,
innovation through the mechanisms, product design,
integration of knowledge, fashion design, furniture
tools, and skills across various design, and even architecture,
domains with our focus on the latter.
MATHEMATICAL BACKBONE
● Mathematics serves as the bedrock of architectural design
○ Ensures accuracy in measurements and calculations.

○ Essential to analyze structural integrity and load distribution. (don't take the tower of pisa as example)
○ Also crucial when it comes to proportions and visual harmony.
○ (and many more technical things which we will not include)
ARCHITECTURE AND PHYSICS
➔ Structural integrity
◆ Architects collaborate with structural engineers to ensure that designs can withstand
gravitational forces, wind loads, seismic activity, and other physical stresses.
◆ Concepts such as equilibrium, force distribution, and material properties are
fundamental to creating buildings that stand safely and efficiently.
➔ Materials and mechanics
◆ The selection of construction materials is influenced by their physical properties.
Engineers and architects must understand how materials respond to stress, strain,
and environmental conditions.
◆ Physics guides decisions related to the elasticity, strength, and durability of materials,
ensuring that they can meet the demands of the intended purpose and location.
➔ Acoustics
◆ The physics of sound is essential in designing spaces with appropriate acoustics.
Architects need to consider how materials, shapes, and spatial arrangements affect
the transmission, absorption, and reflection of sound within a building.
➔ Light and Optics
◆ Architects leverage principles of optics to design spaces that maximize natural light
while controlling glare and heat gain. This involves considerations of window
placement, orientation, and the use of reflective surfaces.
Let’s see some
examples
(just to make the powerpoint longer)
Palazzo Spada, Corridoio di
Borromini, Rome:
Optical Illusion: Mathematics employed to create the illusion of
depth through forced perspective.
(Made by Francesco Borromini)
- LINK HERE (start from 13 sec.)

Sagrada Familia, Spain:
- Geometry: Mathematical principles are used to create the
so-famous intricate geometry and structural design of this
142 years old work of art.
- Advanced calculations for analyzing stresses* and

optimizing structural stability.
(in case you didn’t know, Stresses are the pressures or forces that
materials experience when subjected to external forces like pushing or
pulling.)
designed by architect Antoni Gaudi

Extract from an article written by: Aastha Trivedi
(someone more knowledgeable than us.)
The architect incorporated Hyperbolic paraboloid
structures in the design which are quite visible in
specific facades of Sagrada Familia. Hyperbolic
paranoid is a quadric surface or a saddle-shaped
surface in this case. The passion facade of the
structure features a magic square which is a
mathematical arrangement. In this arrangement, all
the numbers in all columns, rows, and diagonals
add up to the same sum which is 33 for this
building.
(source: here)
"to what extent is the kind of math used tailored
to the epistemic needs of this subject"
Geometry is used in most designs and it’s a branch of mathematics with significant implications in design. It
provides tools for understanding spatial relationships, proportions, and symmetry, essential elements in various
design disciplines.
Different types of math used for different parts of design:
- Animation and interactive design often require calculus to model motion, transitions, and dynamic
behaviors.
- In industrial design algebraic equations are sometimes used to optimize product parameters,
considering factors like cost, materials, and functionality.
- In user-centric design and user experience research, statistical methods are employed to gather and
analyze data. This helps designers make informed decisions based on user behavior and preferences,
aiding their design decisions.
things we couldn’t do if we weren’t using math
- 3D printing and prototyping — The mathematical representation of 3D models is crucial for 3D printing
and prototyping
- Parametric design (designs created by an algorithm) involves the use of mathematical parameters to
control and manipulate the design process
- Optimization in product design – Mathematical optimization techniques are employed in product design
to find the best possible solutions for various parameters such as cost, weight, and performance
- Fractal geometry (shapes that repeat themselves endlessly)
- Data visualisation — Uses mathematical processes to turn complex sets of data into forms that are
simple and easy to understand
YOU'RE WELCOME
Just kidding, thanks for listening!

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Design & Mathematics

By: Anna and Izzy

WHAT IS IT? DOMAINS? COUNTLESS.

○ Ensures accuracy in measurements and calculations.

(Made by Francesco Borromini)

- LINK HERE (start from 13 sec.)

- Advanced calculations for analyzing stresses* and

designed by architect Antoni Gaudi

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