About

Magic of Geometry is a place dedicated to the geometric constructions that were, and some still are, in use by masons, carpenters and other related tradesmen. Such geometric exercises were the basis for designing the buildings of the past, many of which are still standing despite the trials of time and human activities. 

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Some might consider it art but I see it more like a set of processes that allow you to visualize and construct your ideas. Those processes were part of the mysticism shrouding the mason's knowledge. The reality is that each mason wanted to keep their ideas and geometric techniques hidden from other fellow masons and the people as whole. Otherwise, if anybody could do what the "Tombmeisters" (Cathedral Masters) knew, then there would have been too much competition for each construction project. If you're curious about it, have a glance at "Geometria Deutsch" by Mathes Roriczer, ca. 1497 AD, " Gothic Design Techniques", by Lon R. Shelby 1977 AD and Hans Schmuttermayer's booklets. 

So as I was asking myself  "How did they do that", I came accross the aforementioned sources and began practicing for myself to understand those geometric techniques. In time, I built up my own collection in a notebook which I wanted to digitize and share with others who might find it interesting. Along the way I came across the idea of Graphical Analysis - a pre-computer way of doing Structural Engineering - with the help of geometry and series of funicular polygons. Those help you find moments, reactions, shear, resultants, neutral lines with just parallel straight edges, pencil, eraser and set of dividers.

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I don't dismiss the power of computers and CAD but such knowledge wouldn't hurt us. It could actually help us understand the field of today's architecture and structural engineering more easily.

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Anyway, all geometric constructions you will find here are done in AutoCAD as well as Grasshopper for you to download and explore for yourself.

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If you decided to mimic the exercises by hand, on paper, as I did in my notebook, the tools you'd need are:

• dividers and/or architectural compass

  • VEMCO, Dietzgen, Teledyne Post​

• straight edge

• parallel edges

• drafting arm (not necessary)

  • VEMCO​

• pencil

• eraser

• paper/notebook

• steady hands

I personally have all three brands of dividers and compasses. I do like VEMCO and Dietzgen though - well-built, and accurate. All those can be found and purchased on Ebay (at least in US). 

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So go ahead, grab a piece of paper and your tools, and start drafting away...