Life, architecture, mathematics, and the fourth dimension

Article

Lawrence, S. 2015. Life, architecture, mathematics, and the fourth dimension. Nexus Network Journal. 17 (2), pp. 587-604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-014-0221-9
TypeArticle
TitleLife, architecture, mathematics, and the fourth dimension
AuthorsLawrence, S.
Abstract

The fourth dimension, whilst contemplated from as far back as antiquity, was only studied in mathematics from the nineteenth century. Here we trace the history of these investigations, and place them in the context of their manifestations in architecture, whether real or imagined. As we take a look at the social milieu within which the study of the fourth dimension flourished, in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, we investigate the biographies and works of the protagonists, and note that the study of the fourth dimension, and dimensionality itself, was strongly coloured by considerations of ethics and even religiosity. Finally we look at a few examples of architecture which offer different interpretations of the fourth dimension.

KeywordsPolytopes Polyhedra; Fourth dimension; Dimensionality; Schlafli symbol; Tesseract; Euler's characteristics; Spiritualism; Theosophy; Antroposophy; Flatland
PublisherSpringer
Birkhäuser Verlag
JournalNexus Network Journal
ISSN1590-5896
Electronic1522-4600
Publication dates
Online08 Jan 2015
Print30 Jul 2015
Publication process dates
Deposited31 Mar 2020
Accepted10 Jan 2014
Output statusPublished
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-014-0221-9
Web of Science identifierWOS:000358217400012
LanguageEnglish
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