Golden Ratio Examples in Architecture: 5+ Iconic Buildings

The Golden Ratio is a mathematical concept that has fascinated architects and designers for centuries. Also known as the golden section in architecture, this divine proportion (approximately 1:1.618) is found throughout nature, art and architecture, and is said to create a sense of harmony and balance in design. The 1.618 golden ratio — sometimes called the golden cut ratio — remains one of the most powerful design tools ever discovered. In this updated 2025 guide, we will explore the most compelling golden ratio examples in architecture — from ancient temples to modern landmarks — and examine how this golden proportion in architecture has shaped some of the world’s most iconic buildings throughout history. Whether you are studying examples of the golden ratio for the first time or looking for architecture golden ratio examples to inspire your next project, this article covers everything you need to know about design with golden ratio principles.

What Is the Golden Ratio in Architecture? The Golden Section Explained

The Golden Ratio, also known as the Divine Proportion, the Golden Mean, or the golden number in architecture, is a mathematical concept that describes the relationship between two quantities. It is found when the ratio of the smaller quantity to the larger quantity is equal to the ratio of the larger quantity to the sum of the two quantities. This results in a ratio of approximately 1:1.6180339887, often represented by the Greek letter Phi (Φ). The golden rule in architecture is rooted in this principle: when a line is divided so that the longer segment divided by the shorter segment equals the whole line divided by the longer segment, the result is the golden mean ratio in architecture that has guided builders for millennia.

So what is a golden section? In simple terms, the golden section — also called the golden section ratio — is a way of dividing a line or a rectangle so that the relationship between the parts follows the 1:1.618 proportion. This golden ratio formula has been used by mathematicians, artists, and architects since antiquity. Understanding golden ratio math is essential for appreciating how Phi (Φ) appears in both the natural world and the built environment.

The Golden Ratio can be found in many natural phenomena, such as the spiral patterns of shells, the arrangement of flower petals, and the growth patterns of plants — these are classic golden ratio examples in nature. From sunflower seed heads to hurricane formations, golden ratio nature examples demonstrate how the 1.618 golden ratio governs organic growth patterns. It has also been used in art and architecture for thousands of years, forming the backbone of what many consider the most aesthetically pleasing proportional system in design. The connection between the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence — where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…) — further reveals its prevalence in the natural world. So what is golden section in art? It is the application of this same 1:1.618 proportion to create compositions that feel naturally balanced and pleasing to the eye — a principle that connects art, mathematics, and architecture.

How Architects Use the Golden Ratio in Building Design

Architects have been using the golden ratio in their designs for centuries, believing that it creates a sense of balance and harmony in a building. The ratio can be found in many elements of architecture, including the overall proportions of a building, the placement of windows and doors, and the design of decorative elements. Architecture golden ratio applications range from determining the height-to-width ratios of facades to organizing interior spaces and structural grids. The golden proportion in design extends beyond exteriors — golden mean in interior design principles help architects and designers create rooms, furniture layouts, and spatial compositions that feel intuitively comfortable.

The golden section has been used in architecture for thousands of years, with architects believing that it creates a sense of harmony and balance in a building. From the Parthenon in Athens to the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, the ratio can be found in many famous buildings throughout history. Buildings with golden ratio proportions tend to feel naturally pleasing to the human eye, which is why this golden ratio architecture principle continues to influence designers today. Understanding golden mean design means recognizing that the golden proportion can be applied at every scale — from the overall massing of a building to the smallest decorative detail.

Golden Section in Interior Design and Spatial Planning

The golden section in interior design guides how spaces are divided and furnished. Designers use the 1:1.618 proportion to determine room layouts, the placement of focal points, and even the sizing of elements like quilt border sizes and textile proportions in soft furnishings. The golden mean interior design approach suggests dividing a room into zones where the larger zone is 1.618 times the smaller — creating a natural visual flow. This application of golden section in design ensures that interiors feel balanced without appearing overly symmetrical.

Golden Ratio Examples in Architecture: Iconic Golden Ratio Buildings

Below are some of the most celebrated examples of the golden ratio in architecture, demonstrating how this timeless principle has been applied across cultures and centuries. Each of these golden ratio buildings showcases the enduring appeal of the 1:1.618 proportion. These are definitive examples of golden ratio in architecture that every design enthusiast should know.

The Parthenon and the Golden Ratio

The Parthenon in Athens, Greece, is one of the most famous examples of the Golden Ratio in architecture. The overall proportions of the temple are said to be based on the ratio, with the width of the building being 1.618 times the height. The golden mean Parthenon relationship has been studied by scholars for centuries. The placement of the columns on the building is also said to be based on the Golden Ratio. The space between the columns is approximately 1.618 times the diameter of each column, which creates a sense of balance and harmony in the building’s design. The facade of the Parthenon can be enclosed within a golden rectangle, and researchers have identified multiple golden rectangles within its columnar arrangement — making the Parthenon golden ratio perhaps the most widely cited example of a golden ratio building in the ancient world. The Parthenon golden section demonstrates how ancient Greek architects, including Phidias — who used the golden section extensively — achieved extraordinary visual harmony using phi in architecture.

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Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Golden Section

The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, is another landmark example of the golden ratio in architecture. The height of the cathedral is 1.618 times the width, and the Notre-Dame rose window at the front of the cathedral is also said to be proportioned according to the ratio. The Notre-Dame Cathedral rose windows are among the most celebrated golden section examples in Gothic architecture. The window is divided into sections that are proportioned according to the ratio, with the size of each section being 1.618 times larger than the section next to it. This creates a sense of harmony and balance in the design of the window. As historian Frederik Macody Lund documented in his 1919 study, the golden proportion in Notre-Dame’s Gothic architecture extends to its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. The cathedral’s golden section construction methods reveal how medieval builders applied the 1:1.618 ratio systematically throughout the structure.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan

The Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia is one of the oldest and most important mosques in the Islamic world, and a remarkable golden section example in religious architecture. The mosque features many examples of the Golden Ratio in its design, including the width of the prayer hall, which is 1.618 times the length. One of the most significant ways in which the Golden Ratio is used in the Great Mosque of Kairouan is in the design of the mihrab. The mihrab is a niche in the mosque‘s qibla wall that indicates the direction of Mecca, which is the direction that Muslims face during prayer. Moreover, the overall dimensions of the mosque’s prayer hall are also believed to be based on the Golden Ratio. The length of the hall from the qibla wall to the rear wall is approximately 1.618 times its width, which creates a sense of proportion and scale in the space. The plan, prayer area, court, and minaret all demonstrate how the golden ratio in architecture transcends cultural boundaries.

The Taj Mahal — An Example of Golden Ratio in Mughal Architecture

The Taj Mahal is an example of Mughal architecture that showcases the golden ratio at its finest. The proportions of the Taj Mahal are said to be based on the Golden Ratio, with the height of the dome being 1.618 times the width. The relationship between the main building’s height and the base of the dome aligns closely with the golden proportion, while the placement of the minarets and the central arch also reflect the 1:1.618 ratio. Built between 1631 and 1648, the Taj Mahal demonstrates that the golden mean ratio in architecture was valued not only in Western design traditions but across global civilizations. This is one of the most powerful examples of the golden ratio found outside of Europe.

The United Nations Secretariat Building

The United Nations Secretariat Building in New York City is a modern example of the Golden Ratio in architecture. The height of the building is 1.618 times the width, and the building’s design is said to be based on the principles of dynamic symmetry, which is related to the Golden Ratio. One example is the building’s lobby, which features a spiral ramp that leads to the upper floors. The width of the ramp is said to be approximately 1.618 times larger than the height of each step, creating a sense of balance and proportion in the design. Another example is the proportion of the building’s height to its width. The building is approximately 1.6 times taller than it is wide, which is close to the Golden Ratio proportion of 1.618:1. This creates a sense of balance and harmony in the building’s overall proportions. Designed by an international team including Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer, the building completed in 1952 remains a key example of golden ratio architecture in the modern era.

The Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci Sequence in Architecture

The relationship between the golden ratio and architecture extends beyond individual buildings. The Fibonacci sequence — closely tied to the golden number in architecture — provides a mathematical framework that Fibonacci architects have used to organize spatial hierarchies, structural grids, and facade compositions. The use of Fibonacci numbers in architecture dates back centuries, with the Fibonacci sequence in architecture visible in structures from medieval cathedrals to contemporary skyscrapers. Each consecutive pair of Fibonacci numbers approximates the golden ratio more closely (for instance, 8/5 = 1.6, 13/8 = 1.625, 21/13 = 1.615), offering architects practical whole-number ratios for design. This is why Fibonacci sequence architecture remains a fundamental topic in architectural education worldwide.

Le Corbusier formalized this connection through his Modulor system, a proportioning tool based on the golden ratio and human body measurements. His Villa Savoye and other modernist works demonstrate how golden ratio and architecture continue to intersect in contemporary practice. Today, parametric design tools allow architects to integrate golden section proportions into complex digital models, ensuring that even the most innovative forms maintain visual coherence.

Other Notable Golden Ratio Buildings Around the World

Beyond the examples discussed above, many other golden ratio buildings showcase this proportion:

The Great Pyramid of Giza, constructed around 2570 BC, is believed by many researchers to exhibit the golden ratio in its base-to-height proportions. When the base is halved and connected to the apex, the resulting triangle closely approximates a golden triangle with a 1.618 ratio. This is one of the earliest examples of golden ratio use in monumental construction.

Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright features cantilevered terraces whose dimensional ratios reflect the golden proportion, contributing to the organic integration of the structure with its natural surroundings.

The Sydney Opera House exhibits the golden ratio in its distinctive sail-like roof shells, where the interplay between curved forms and proportional relationships creates elegance and visual harmony.

The CN Tower in Toronto also demonstrates golden ratio proportions: the ratio of the observation deck height to the total tower height approximates 1:1.618. These examples of golden ratio in architecture prove that building with golden ratio principles spans every era and style.

The Golden Ratio in Ratio Architecture: From Theory to Practice

Ratio architecture — the practice of using mathematical proportions as the foundation of building design — finds its most enduring expression in the golden ratio. Throughout history, the architects and builders who used the golden section understood that mathematical harmony creates visual beauty. Phi in architecture (the Greek letter representing 1.618) serves as more than just a number: it is a design philosophy that connects structure to aesthetics. The golden ratio proportion governs everything from the spacing of columns to the curvature of domes, making golden ratio proportions an indispensable tool in architectural design from ancient times to the present day.

Whether you are studying a golden ratio example in a history textbook or applying the golden ratio in architecture to a new project, the underlying principle remains the same: proportions based on 1:1.618 create spaces that feel inherently right. This is the golden section at work — a timeless bridge between golden ratio math and the art of building with golden ratio precision.

Why the Golden Ratio Matters in Architecture Today

The enduring relevance of the golden ratio in architectural design lies in its ability to produce proportions that feel intuitively balanced to the human eye. Research suggests that our brains unconsciously respond to symmetry and proportion tied to the golden ratio, fostering a sense of order and beauty. Whether applied to facade design, interior spatial planning, window placement, or furniture proportions, the golden section in architecture remains a foundational tool for creating spaces that resonate with timeless elegance.

As architecture continues to evolve with technology and sustainability demands in 2025 and beyond, the golden proportion in architecture offers a bridge between mathematical precision and artistic expression — a bridge that has supported some of the greatest buildings ever constructed. Understanding examples of the golden ratio in architecture helps both students and professionals appreciate why the golden section explained through buildings remains one of the most captivating topics in architectural discourse today.