A Theory of Architecture

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Foreword At a time when contemporary architectural discourse appears to be losing its Am the shifting on w webs vulsing with new found speculations of every type Architectural theories from all over the world, wishing to take part in this retratocation, seem to be desperate in attempts to their ideas beyond the idiosyncratic ponderings of the dom inant architectural elite. Looking outside architecture as a means to garner greater validity, their speculations have run the full gamut from mathematical theorems to the postulates of French philosophers, to the loosely construed intimation of chaos theory and fractal logic into the domain of architectural design, to the near coercion of quantum mechanics and field theory as a means to extend their thetoric. Each new theory offers but yet another invented way to conceptualize architecture.

The connection between architecture and the physical logic of our world is un questionable. The recognition of this relationship is in-and-of-itself step forward and backward at the same time. Back to a time when architecture was conceived built within limits of its materiality; and forward to the re-appropriation of ideas that were once nothing more than trial and error, but which can now be fully prescribed by modern science. The difficulty with such modern theories is in the translation or transference of ideas and information. Excluding any truly cross disciplinary dialogue, these theories might well present little more than a glimpse into the unsettled realm that constitutes architectural theory today. In the midst of the clamor, it is becoming increasingly difficult to discern what are valid theo ries and what are not, or what is even useful information.

If we are to fully understand the architectural implication of advanced mathe matics and science it seems only logical to engage authorities outside our own dis cipline, to seek real scientific knowledge real scientists. As chance would have it, four years ago my path crossed that of Dr. Salingaros, a professionally trained Mathematical Physicist whose career had led him to discover a direct relationship between physical structures and processes, found throughout the material world. and that of man-made architectural and urban entities.

Having just taken my position in the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Leon Krier asked if I had yet to meet his friend Nikos. What be gan as a tenuous, but interesting, first meeting has lead to a collegial relationship which is now going on five years. Over the course of this time Nikos has given me access to a way of thinking about the built environment which is more appositely grounded in the physicality of the real world, surprisingly not unlike pre-modern architecture.

Presented in this theory of architecture we see a series of principles for making a more livable world at every level, i.e. domestic, civic, urban, regional and global. To imagine what Dr. Salingaros envisions for the world around us, however, you must be prepared to leave the comfort of what you have come to believe to be architectur al theory.

Introduction period of time, contemporary architecture has captured the imagi nation of millions people world over. Thick, glossy, and expensive and magazines featuring photos the world's premier architects along with buildings adorn the living-room tables libraries those who afford Millions dollars are spent flashy buildings, when something much reasonable could do. Developing countries with severely limited fran compete engage the fashionable of "star" architects to build something for them, too. Architecture thus highly visible our media. clear with the times, providing magnet for and career.

What it that a young student actually studies become architect, how their body information mastered, such for example foun biology medicine? There a practical side requiring training and apprenticeship several where the books containing ac cumulated architectural knowledge, labeled "Principles of Architecture" (analogous say, "Principles Physics") and running into one thousand pages? thick architecture books either full of pictures contemporary archi and their buildings, or address history architecture, featur dead architects and their buildings. Architecture today seems have no basis one uses architectural traditions thought today's de Students are taught example that buildings the past offer no lessons ape contemporary.

This book presents some ideas that have explored trying to discover the design. The search has me to consider the application science and mathematics architecture. This approach has proved remarkably fruit establishing new and useful results. Most architects know the historical of ancient mathematics such proportional ratios-but not this of mathematics actually governs general architectural form. Rather, is more recently developed mathematics fractals, information theory, and com (concepts that be explained this book). have presented these results manner hope will useful to practicing architects well as to students who seeking greater clarity how the physical world operates, and this ties architecture.

chapter consists one of my published papers in that collectively, these research articles can used as a textbook for ar design, or supplementary in studio course. Individual chap have indeed been used this manner many schools around the ever their initial publication. Their main message that architecture can be based on principles that stand scientific scrutiny and experimental test. present many new results, no similar treatment the principles underlying design exists the present time.

**Contents and Sample Pages**