THE GOLDEN PROPORTION AND ITS USE IN THE AESTHETIC DESIGN OF BRIDGES.

Abstract

The old debate between architects and engineers about the appearance of structures, and especially the aesthetics of bridges, has been revived during recent years. This paper examines this subject, and suggests that pleasing designs can be obtained, using only a good understanding of basic concepts, especially the 'golden proportion', together with common sense and cooperation between the disciplines of architecture and engineering. Both visual and engineering understanding need to be combined through the whole design process. Proportion, especially when based on the 'golden proportion' whose value is approximately 0.618, plays an essential part in human perception and aesthetics. The golden proportion was used by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Japanese. Appealing works of art, architecture, and engineering are produced, not by blind application of rules of proportion, but by the intelligent and calculated use of proportions with creative judgement. There are several distinctions between geometry and aesthetics to be noted. Aesthetic appreciation also depends on light and shade, colour and texture, form and function, shape and setting. By examining how these issues have been addressed in some recent bridge design projects, the paper shows that their considerations with good proportioning can be very effective.