Cymatica
The Wave Lattice Approach to Synchronized Formal Proportion
(In Search of Cymatic Architecture)
“Architecture is the frozen music; music is the flowing architecture…” - Goethe
Cymatica is an architectural thesis investigation exploring the synthesis of spatial proportion and form generated from sound. This thesis is the first step in an attempt to interpret the intelligent proportions of waves we commonly experience as sound into expressions of formal proportion in architecture.
// Harmonic Proportion //
Palladio’s harmonic proposals were focused on extracting the whole intervals of the classical music octave as a system to generate architectural proportion. The application of harmonic intervals gave Palladio’s villas a geometric keynote, as well as their convincing quality. In contrast to Palladio’s work with interval harmonics, Cymatica uses a non-interval continuous tracking of waveform, the result is a fluid system of proportion. These control surfaces take shape through the Wave Lattice.
// Waves //
Waves are a fundamental tectonic element of our reality. They operate at many scales from electro-magnetic radiation to light, sound, heat, and consciousness (brainwaves) among many others. Waves are a connective tissue of spacetime bridging us to our surroundings; a communication of energy and sensation, as well as the continual marking of the ever-renewed present moment. Waves speak the cymatic language.
// Cymatic Language //
Hans Jenny explored cymatics in his 1967 book, Kymatik (translated Cymatics). In this book Jenny documented his experiments of vibrating sound through plates containing different physical materials (powders, liquid, and gels). These materials would organize into geometric resonance structures and patterns resultant of a combination of the frequency of the input, the properties of the material, and the bounding plate being vibrated. My thesis takes Jenny’s variables and re-constructs an analogous experiment digitally. These experiments combine the Wave Lattice with Material ID and wave input (audio or mathematical) to create a digital materiality that can yield cymatic results.
Cymatica proposes this architectural instrument to help us understand better the inherent spatial relationships and properties wave dynamics express when applied to the constraints of different topological identities, not just physical materials. The goal of unlocking the cymatic language is to be able to translate and re-interpret the communication of sound through form; to better understand how to create atmosphere and effect, to compose architecture more rapidly; to play by ear.
// Terms //
Synchronized Formal Proportion - the coordination of formal events to operate a system in unison expressive of a higher ordered whole.
Wave Lattice - a dynamic spatial-temporal grid whose fabric is expressed through wave disturbance. This wave grid has active properties that allow it to be worked with as a material, not just a tool of description.
Cymatics - The formal structures and resonant proportions emergent within the Wave Lattice as a result of wave input and Material ID.
Material ID - a system of constraints (analog or digital) whose properties express a physical or mathematical identity.
