A Scientific Basis for Creating Architectural Forms

A mathematical rule helps to achieve visual coherence by linking the small scale to the large scale. This work develops results of Christopher Alexander derived from theoretical physics and biology. We propose a scaling hierarchy based on natural objects having scale differentiations of factor s about 2.7 from the largest down to the very small. Buildings satisfying this rule are subconsciously perceived as sharing essential qualities with natural and biological forms. As a consequence, they appear more comfortable psychologically. Scaling coherence is a feature of traditional arid vernacular architectures, but is largely absent from contemporary architecture.