A Fuller Explanation: The Synergetic Geometry of R. Buckminster FullerIn a broad sense Design Science is the grammar of a language of images rather than of words. Modern communication techniques enable us to transmit and reconstitute images without the need of knowing a specific verbal sequential language such as the Morse code or Hungarian. International traffic signs use international image symbols which are not specific to any particular verbal language. An image language differs from a verbal one in that the latter uses a linear string of symbols, whereas the former is multidimensional. Architectural renderings commonly show projections onto three mutually perpendicular planes, or consist of cross sections at differ ent altitudes representing a stack of floor plans. Such renderings make it difficult to imagine buildings containing ramps and other features which disguise the separation between floors; consequently, they limit the creativity of the architect. Analogously, we tend to analyze natural structures as if nature had used similar stacked renderings, rather than, for instance, a system of packed spheres, with the result that we fail to perceive the system of organization determining the form of such structures. |
Contents
Tools of the Trade | 4 |
The Irrationality of | 15 |
Systems and Synergy | 25 |
Truncation and Stellation | 46 |
Symmetry | 52 |
Angular Topology | 65 |
Angular Topology | 75 |
Vector Equilibrium | 82 |
In Search of Cosmic Hierarchy | 143 |
Jitterbug | 159 |
New Types of Packing Crates | 175 |
A and BQuanta Modules | 189 |
Great Circles | 206 |
The Invisible Made Visible | 232 |
66 | 258 |
Bibliography | 286 |
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Common terms and phrases
720 degrees adjacent angular array axes B-modules balls behavior bowties Buckminster Fuller Bucky Bucky's central angles Chapter closepacked complete compression concept configuration consists cosmic coupler create cube cuboctahedron defined described design science Dymaxion Map edge lengths eight energy events equilateral example experience faces fill space forces four frequency geodesic dome geometric great-circle hedron hexagons icosahedral icosahedron inherent invisible isotropic vector matrix jitterbug layers Loeb mathematics Mite modules molecules nature nature's nest number of edges number of vertices observation octahedra octahedron octant Octet Truss omnisymmetrical operational mathematics pairs pentagonal physical planar plane polygons polyhedra polyhedron principles pyramids radial ratio relationships result rhombic dodecahedron simple space-filling spatial specific sphere packings sphere-packing spheres spherical square stability structure struts subdivision surface angles symmetry Synergetics tensegrity tension tetra three-frequency tion topology triangles triangular truncated octahedron truncation twelve unit Universe vector equilibrium vertex volume whole system