The Octagon in the Houses of Orson Fowler

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Eliseu Gonçalves (Author) FAUP

Journal

Title: Nexus Network Journal

Vol. 13 No. 2

Pages: 337-349

ISSN: 1590-5896

Publisher: KIM WILLIAMS BOOKS

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Humanities > Arts

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Architecture ; Humanities > History > History of science ; Humanities > Arts

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-Q0M

DOI: 10.1007/s00004-011-0070-8

Abstract (EN): Orson Squire Fowler (1809-1887) was an American author who wrote a fantastic book about octagonal houses in the mid-nineteenth century. This present essay focuses on how radial geometry can be used as a tool placed for designing comfortable, affordable housing. Octagonal geometry can be used as a tool for controlling nature, or as a system for controlling construction. This duality is synthesized in Fowler's use of the octagon. The analysis is extended to two other buildings with octagonal plans, one ancient, the Hellenic "Tower of the Winds," the other contemporary, Alvaro Siza's "Mickey Mouse House.".

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13