Tessellation

What are Tessellations and how are they used in Architecture?

Tessellations consist of a flat surface where one or more geometric shapes are utilized to form a pattern with no overlaps and gaps. Therefore, a tessellation is any kind of replicating form of
symmetrical and interlocking profiles. Tessellations are sometimes referred to as 'tilings'. According to Khaira, J., (2009.), the word tiling refers to a pattern of polygons (shapes with straight sides)
only. However, this is not the case as the use of both regular and irregular polygons can be adopted, which makes the resulting pattern more interesting to the human eye. The earliest and most
common tessellation found are triangles, squares and hexagons, as other irregular polygons are more difficult to assemble and to form. However, the more complex the plane is, the more
fascinating the surface becomes. This phenomena is an important area in mathematics, because, by mathematical computation it can be easily executed and manipulated to find use in art and
architecture. Architects and artists find this invention very intrigue to the human eye, therefore, this phenomena is extensively used in buildings walls as a main feature or for structural purpose. The
following images are examples of tessellation used in architecture as a feature wall or as the main structural component.

Mathematics behind Tessellations : Which Shapes can Tessellate and Why can they do so?
As mentioned, the simplest form of tessellation is made up of regular polygons. Therefore, 'Regular Tessellations' are defined as being constructed
from only one kind of regular polygon. From and experiment conducted by Khaira, J., (2009.), it was concluded that, squares, equilateral triangles
and regular hexagons do form regular tessellations. However, even though pentagons and heptagons are considered as being regular polygons,
they cannot form a regular tessellation as they leave gaps or produce overlaps. This is where the mathematical part comes into play. In order for a
shape to tessellate, the interior angles must fill all of the space around a vertex, i.e., their interior angles must add up to 360 degrees (Khaira,
2009). Therefore, before starting to tessellate with any invented regular or irregular polygon, one must first calculate the interior angles. In order to
do this, one has to know that the exterior angles of both irregular and regular polygon adds up to 360 degrees. Once this is identified, one can than
deduce the interior angles. By summing them up one can then identify if they add up to 360 degrees. When the addition results in the answer being
360 degrees than one knows for sure that the shape will completely fill the space around a point. This point is called a vertex. According to
mathematical scientists, a vertex is defined as the point at which two or more straight lines meet, i.e. forming a corner. Therefore, once the space is
consumed, the shape will tessellate.

The above words can be summarized by the following equation to work out the angle of regular polygon: where a is the interior angle and n is the number of sides the polygon has. This is because
360 divided by the number of sides of the polygon gives the exterior angle, and when the exterior angle is subtracted from 180, we get the interior angle of the polygon.

In order to determine how many polygons are needed to fill the space around a vertex and allow the polygon to tessellate, another formula is used: where k(n) is the number of polygons needed, n
is the number of sides and a is the interior angle.

Therefore, it can be deduced that regular polygons that can fill the space around a vertex can tessellate. In more mathematic al terms, regular polygons with interior angles that are a factor of 360,
can tessellate. Because of this, only regular polygons with 3, 4 or 6 sides - equilateral triangles, squares and regular hexagons - can perfectly fill 360 and tessellate by themselves.

Symmetry and Transformations of Tilings

Symmetry is the process of taking a shape and through certain movements, matching
it exactly to another shape. This is the process how tessellation is created, by creating
the same motion a number of times. The technique of forming symmetry is
Transformational symmetry. Such transformations are , translations, rotations,
reflections and glide reflections. Such examples of these transformations are show in
the diagrams shown on the left hand side and bottom of this page.

Simons Center for Geometry and Physics - State University of New York at Stony Brook
After having defined the meaning of Tessellation and the Mathematics behind such phenomena, I shall discuss the
application to its use in architecture regarding the Simons Centre for Geometry and Physics at the state University of New
York. The Simons Center is a facility for theoretical physics and mathematics. The focus of the center is mathematical
physics and the interface of geometry and physics. It was founded in 2007 by a gift from the James and Marilyn Simons
Foundation, but what interests me is not the buildings itself but the Tessellated facade that is found in this structure. This
facade is installed with an engineered kinetic tessellated surface known as Tessellate TM. In fact Simons Center was the first
ever building to install the Tessellate TM. The installation was completed on 2, November 2010, which serves as the building's
artistic centre piece and as a functional piece of shading integrated within its south facing glass facade. The kinetic faade
system can physically adapt to changes in daylight, solar gain, airflow and privacy by altering their configuration. The pattern
comprises a series of tessellated pattern such as hexagons, squares, triangles and circles. As these patterns align and
diverge, the visual effect is of sparse geometric patterns that blossom into an opaque mesh. The result is a kinetic surface
that spans 38 square meters and imbues the building with the functional capacity to dynamically change its opacity.

Tessellation TM
Tessellate is a self-contained, framed screen whose perforated pattern can continually shift and evolve to create a
dynamic architectural element that is able to regulate light and solar gain, ventilation and airflow, privacy, and views. It is
designed for walls, glass and glazing systems, and dividers as a versatile, multi-purpose faade. Tessellate consists of a
series of stacked panels that can be constructed of various metals or plastics. As these layers move and overlap, the result
is a kaleidoscopic visual display of patterns aligning and then diverging into a fine, light-diffusing mesh creating a living
environment. Tessellate is controlled using location-based sensory data to respond to light and weather conditions and
integrates into the building management system. For instance, when high levels of direct light are detected, the metal panels
diverge, and their patterns completely overlap, blocking the sun's rays. Tessellate is suitable for all building geometries.
Panel shape and size can be tailored to match the architect's building design and requirements. This product can be
constructed from non-rectangular profiles, to components comprising a three-dimensional surface. Since the problem of
organizing the space is achieved by mathematical equation, the engineers that produced Tessellate perforations, are
available in an endless range of patterns. Tessellate can be customized to fit any architectural vision. Mathematics has
made the options virtually endless.

Perception of Space
The facility of this engineered facade is the shapes of the existing patterns as they are continuously shifting and overlapping each other, therefore the viewer's surrounding environment is
continuously changing. This has an effect of the space inside the building, i.e. there is a continuous change in play of light and shadows from this kinetic surface. As a result, one can have the
opportunity to perceive the same space differently due to the fact that light and shadows are regularly changing. Much like the effect of leaves that drops shadows onto the ground. This product can
at once create the same effect of speckled sunlight during the hot summer days while having the ability to allow direct sunlight in winter months. Solar shading as being the Tessellate's primary
function is an important consideration when designing an energy-efficient building envelope. It is a significant design challenge to reduce a building's energy consumption while maintaining daylight
levels that preserve views and promote a healthy internal environment. Tessellate's ability to shade adaptively addresses these concerns and improves a building's energy performance by
dynamically adjusting to environmental conditions and internal user preferences. According to Energy Environment Publishing, (2010.), by installing Tessellate to a south faced facade, the
consumption on the overall energy can be reduced by 6%. Therefore, fixed shading can reduce a buildings annual cooling load by 15%-20%. This creates a more natural and comfortable
environment to the visitor occupying the space within the structure. According to the same publish, "due to its automated, adaptive response to internal and external daylight levels, Tessellate can
provide 12-14% more hours per year when day-lighting systems can be used over artificial lights, as compared to fixed shading or traditional blinds." ( Energy Environment, 2010). When applied to a
glass faade Tessellate allows glass with a higher daylight transmission value and improved color rendering.

3D Renders
Month - December
Time - 12:00

Since in winter the climate is not as warm as in summer days, the tessellated facade allows
more direct sunlight to enter the structure as the layers are overlapped onto each
other. This can be seen from the rendered image (left hand side) of the building's facade.
The shadows casted inside the building onto the floor are clear and the shapes are easily
defined. From this image one can notice the amount of light that this system allows to enters
without the need to use artificial lighting during the cold months.

Month - June
Time - 12:00

The Image on the right hand side is rendered to illustrate the difference between winter and
summer days. This shot is rendered in June as to show how the space changes when there is
direct sunlight hitting the south face of the building. The tessellated system, due to its sensors
installed, controls the movement of the shapes and by shifting them to one side, the amount of
sunrays entering the building is reduced. This helps to protect the visitors from excessive sunlight
while also allowing natural light to enter the space which helps the place to stay cooler. The
pattern that is produced on the floor is continuously changing with time as the patterns are
constantly shifting. This allows the users in the building to always experience a change in space,
making the environment more attractive to the user.

3D Renders
Month - December and June
Time - 12:00

The following images shows the same aspect that the tessellated facade is
able to do both in winter (image on the left hand side) and in summer
(bottom image) from a different perspective. What is amazing about this
product is that from a mathematical equation, using mathematically proofed
shapes, a design can be invented to be used in architecture as an artistic
feature.

Shows how the pattern shifts when the Tessellate TM senses a change in climatic temperature to control internal environment. One can notice how the

AutoCad Drawings -

change in the pattern is perceived as being another design.

Conclusion
In ancient and modern eras, the design of buildings has been influenced by mathematical ideas, such as the use of symmetry. Both historical and modern developments show that mathematics can
play an important role, ranging from appropriate descriptions of designs to guiding the designer's intuition. The use of geom etric shape to form a symmetric plane is a clear example of mathematical
relationships that is widely used in architecture. Over time, such phenomena have been defined as Tessellation. Tessellations are used extensively in architecture, both two-dimensional and threedimensional. Tessellations are easy to use in architecture, especially in two-dimensional, because even the simplest repeating pattern can look astonishing when it covers a large area. Modern
technology has improved over time and has moved into inventing and innovating a tessellated plan that can sense a change in climatic temperature, which has shifted to decrease the amount of
light entering the building.

TessellateTM - Simons Center for

Geometry and Physics Installation
dimension and materials
Adaptive Shading Coverage: 38 sq. meters
Material: Water jet-cut stainless steel,
glass
Dimensions: 5.6m Wide x 6.7m Tall

References:

1. Adaptive Building Initiative. (n.d.) . Simons Center for Geometry and Physics. Retrieved from: http://www.adaptivebuildings.com/simons-center.html
2. Aslaksen, H., (n.d.). Mathematics in Art and Architecture. Polygons and Tilings. Retrieved from: http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/teaching/maa/tilings.pdf
3. Energy Environment, (15 November, 2010.). Zahner and ABI Unveil Tessellate Adaptive Solar Shading Faade System. Retrieved from:
http://www.china-aircon.com/detail-10009242/zahner-and-abi-unveil-tessellate-adaptive-solar-shading-fa-ade-system.html
4. Khaira J. ( 13 November, 2009.).What are Tilings and Tessellations and how are they used in Architecture?. Young Scientists J [serial online] 2009 [cited 2014 May 21];2:35-46. Retrieved
from: http://www.ysjournal.com/text.asp?2009/2/7/35/57766
5. TessellateTM Adaptive Facade System. Retrieved from: http://www.tessellatesurface.com/

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