Architectural Design Canons from Middle Ages and Before: An Inspiration for Modern Sustainable Construction

Ancient and medieval architectural designs, including those of the Aachen Cathedral, were grounded in geometric and arithmetic principles that reflected cosmic order and harmony. These design canons, often symbolic, served both structural and allegorical purposes, conveying intangible messages from commissioners. Metric analysis of six iconic structures—ranging from the Cheops pyramid to Castel del Monte—reveals consistent design practices with probable semantic content. This study demonstrates that such historical examples can inspire modern sustainable construction by integrating timeless geometric principles into contemporary creative design.

Frans De Naeyer, A. (2021). Architectural Design Canons from Middle Ages and Before: An Inspiration for Modern Sustainable Construction. Design of Cities and Buildings - Sustainability and Resilience in the Built Environment. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95391