The Golden Ratio in Architecture

As you have probably guessed by now, the Golden Ratio appears in architecture as well. This practice goes back for centuries and into many countries. Unfortunately, we cannot travel all over the world to search for the Golden Ratio in architecture. For our investigation, we are going to use images of one particular structure: The Parthenon in Greece. We will download the images and see how they exhibit the Golden Ratio.

You will need a ruler to complete this activity.

Let's start by looking at the following image of the Parthenon:

If you have a color printer, you can work with this image. If you have a black and white printer, then you need to work with the following image:

Check with your instructor if you don't know the capabilities of your printer. If you don't have a printer at all, then you will have to do measurements of the image on your computer screen.

Let's transfer the image you are going to work with onto your computer. Move your mouse pointer over the image, and press the right button on the mouse. A menu should pop up with a list of options. We are going to "Save Image As...". Click on this selection. The computer will ask you where you want to save the image. If you know where you want to save the image, then find the location. Otherwise, the best location is on the desktop. Click on the "Save in:" menu and select "Desktop". You may rename the file if you wish; otherwise, click "Save". The image should now be on your desktop. If you double click on the image file, your computer should know how to open it. You are now ready to print the image. Go to the "File" menu of whatever program the image opened in, and select "Print". If you need help selecting a printer, ask your teacher or computer lab instructor. Otherwise, your picture should have printed out. If you have any other problems with this process, you may have to do the measurements on your computer screen.

You have just learned how to save an image from the Internet. If ever there is an image that you want to save or print, just follow the same process. Be sure that the author of the site you are visiting has not posted a message that says you may not "steal" images. If they have, you may not save the image!

Now we are ready to find the Golden Ratio in the Parthenon.

1. Let's start by drawing a rectangle around the Parthenon, from the left most pillar to the right and from the base of the pillars to the highest point.

2. Measure the length and the width of this rectangle. Now find the ratio of the length to the width. Is the number fairly close to the Golden Ratio?

3. Now look above the pillars. You should notice some rectangles on the face of the Parthenon. Find the ratio of the length to the width of one of these rectangles. Notice anything?

There are many other places where the Golden Ratio appears in the Parthenon, all of which we cannot see because we only have a frontal view of the structure. The building is built on a rectangular plot of land which happens to be ... you guessed it - a Golden Rectangle!