Tree-inspired dendriforms and fractal-like branching structures in architecture: A brief historical overview

Iasef Md Rian*, Mario Sassone

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

93 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The shapes of trees are complex and fractal-like, and they have a set of physical, mechanical and biological functions. The relation between them always draws attention of human beings throughout history and, focusing on the relation between shape and structural strength, architects have designed a number of treelike structures, referred as dendriforms. The replication and adoption of the treelike patterns for constructing architectural structures have been varied in different time periods based on the existing and advanced knowledge and available technologies. This paper, by briefly discussing the biological functions and the mechanical properties of trees with regard to their shapes, overviews and investigates the chronological evolution and advancements of dendriform and arboreal structures in architecture referring to some important historical as well as contemporary examples.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)298-323
Number of pages26
JournalFrontiers of Architectural Research
Volume3
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Architecture
  • Branching structures
  • Dendriforms
  • Fractal geometry
  • Technology
  • Tree

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tree-inspired dendriforms and fractal-like branching structures in architecture: A brief historical overview'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this