An Introduction to Solid Tessellations with Students of Architecture

Abstract

This paper intends to describe an educational experiment accomplished in the Geometry and Architecture course of the first year in the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto in 2017. In this activity, students were introduced to digital three-dimensional modelling as an additional tool to develop their knowledge of geometry. The subject of solid tessellations was selected as leitmotif because of the structural and architectonic interest and creative potential that the situations in which polyhedra, other than the cuboid, fill space may have for aspiring architects. The time limitations of the academic year impaired the desired breadth for the task, so students had to focus their attention only in six uniform solid tessellations, out of the possible 28. Besides acquiring digital design modelling skills useful for their scholarly and professional practice, this experiment and collaborative assignment allowed students to improve knowledge of polyhedral theory and apply newfound IT skills in architectural design. (c) 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.