Architecture and Urban Planning
Urban planners and architects are fascinated by the elegant and unique characteristics of hyperbolic shapes.
- Shell Structures: Hyperbolic paraboloid surfaces in hyperbolic geometry are lightweight and strong, making them ideal for constructing canopies, roofs and other large, self-supporting structures. Examples include the Kuwait National Assembly building and the roof of San Francisco International Airport.
- Efficient Layouts: The natural curvature of hyperbolic space can be used to enhance the design of pedestrian walkways, transit networks and urban green spaces. While less common than traditional Euclidean designs, some urban planning projects are exploring the use of hyperbolic principles to create more efficient and visually appealing urban environments.
Real Life Applications of Hyperbolic Geometry
Euclidean geometry is known for its perfect circles and lines that never cross and it has long been the foundation of our understanding of space. Hyperbolic geometry is a seemingly abstract branch of mathematics that becomes valuable for understanding complexities beyond Euclidean geometry in the real world.
In hyperbolic geometry, circles can include countless points and parallel lines can spread apart endlessly. Although hyperbolic geometry might seem unrelated to daily life, it has surprising applications in various fields such as theoretical physics and Google Maps.