Cylindrical Mirror Anamorphosis and Urban-Architectural Ambience

Abstract

Cylindrical mirror surfaces fall into the group of reflecting surfaces that give a distorted image of an object. However, if the object is designed according to the laws of optical geometry, in a way that its mirror image is conceived in advance, then this is anamorphosis. The objective of the present study is to emphasise the potential of cylindrical mirror anamorphosis, in the context of change in the urban-architectural ambience. In this respect it is necessary to obtain a constructive, geometrically correct solution of the 3D model of cylindrical-mirror anamorphosis, whereby the mirror surface is a vertical rotating cylinder. This topic is the primary focus of the present research. In addition, the conditions for change in the anamorphic form were analysed, and its possible functions in architecture were identified. Various examples of existing buildings with cylindrical mirror elements, in respect of which it was possible to construct and apply these types of anamorphoses, were used. The method of constructive perspective and the laws of optical geometry were applied. Analyses were made on the basis of experiments and using AutoCAD 3D methods to analyse the mirror anamorphosis of a cube and octahedron.