Making Geometry

Making Geometry: Exploring Three-Dimensional Forms

Following on from his successful Drawing Geometry, Jon Allen explores the creation of the many-sided three-dimensional forms known as the Platonic and Archimedean solids. Based on patterns of equally spaced points on a sphere, these polyhedra have constituted the fundamentals of geometric exploration for millennia.

Many professionals find that they need to know how to build three-dimensional shapes accurately and understand the principles behind them. This unique book shows the reader how to make models of all the Platonic and Archimedean solids, as well as several other polyhedra and stellated forms. It provides systematic instructions for constructing the three-dimensional forms and shows how to draw the geometry of the paperfold nets accurately.

Beginners and experienced artists and designers alike will find this book a source of practical guidance, delight, and inspiration that will amply repay the careful attention needed to construct the models.

144 color photographs, 120 b/w drawings

C O N T E N T S:

Introduction

A Family Tree of Regular and Semi-regular Convex Polyhedra
Circles and Spherepoints
Constructing Small 3D Stick Models
Paperfolds for the Five Platonic Solids
Paperfolds for the Thirteen Archimedean Solids
Paperfolds for Other Polyhedra

Appendices:
Some Mathematical Terms
Plain Nets for All Platonic and Archimedean Solids
Data Table for the Platonic and Archimedean Solids
Recommended Reading and Resources

Index

About the Author

Jon Allen has been a practicing architect for twenty-five years. He has worked closely with Keith Critchlow, a world authority on geometry, and has developed a particular interest in the application of geometry in architectural design. He lives in London.