Golden Ratio Samples in Architecture #1

The Golden Ratio is a mathematical concept that has fascinated architects and designers for centuries. It is a proportion that is found in nature, art, and architecture, and is said to create a sense of harmony and balance in design. In this article, we will explore the role of the Golden Ratio in architecture and how it has been used throughout history.

The Golden Ratio, also known as the Divine Proportion or the Golden Mean, 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.The Golden Ratio can be found in many natural phenomena, such as the spiral patterns of shells and the growth patterns of plants. It has also been used in art and architecture for thousands of years.

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.  The Golden Ratio 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.

The Parthenon

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 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.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, is another example of the Golden Ratio in architecture. The height of the cathedral is 1.618 times the width, and the rose window at the front of the cathedral is also said to be proportioned according to the ratio. Another example of the Golden Ratio in the cathedral’s design is the rose window located at the front of the building. 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.

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. 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 balance in the space.

The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is one of the most famous examples of Mughal architecture in the world. 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 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.