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Tessellation
/ˌtɛs.ɪˈleɪ.ʃən/
THEORY & MATHEMATICSintermediate
Definition
The covering of a plane with a repeating pattern of one or more shapes, with no gaps or overlaps. In architecture, tessellation is used for floor tiling, structural panellisation, and facade systems. Complex tessellations can produce rich patterns and also solve structural problems in dome and gridshell design.
Example
The glass roof of the British Museum's Great Court in London by Foster + Partners (2000) uses a tessellation of 3,312 uniquely shaped triangular glass panels — each slightly different — to cover the circular space between existing buildings.