Euclidism and Theory of Architecture

Abstract

Michele Sbacchi examines the impact of the discipline of Euclidean geometry upon architecture and, more specifically, upon theory of architecture. Special attention is given to the work of Guarino Guarini, the seventeenth century Italian architect and mathematician who, more than any other architect, was involved in Euclidean geometry. Furthermore, the analysis shows how, within the realm of architecture, a complementary opposition can be traced between what is called "Pythagorean numerology" and "Euclidean geometry". These two disciplines epitomized two overlapping ways of conceiving architectural design.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]