Geometric patterns in the carpentry of palaces in Valencia: a study of tessellations

Abstract

Valencian architecture experienced a moment of splendour from the 14th to the 16th century at a time of economic development which coincided with the expansion of the Crown of Aragon throughout the Mediterranean. Members of the aristocracy built stately homes and palaces which stood out for their rich architecture and decorative finishes. Among these it is worth noting the geometric patterns of the carpentry of doors and windows, which were a feature of this type of building at the time in this area. While in some cases these can be assumed to be the original elements, their characteristics suggest that some may have been renovated or replaced, some in the 20th century. This contribution to their study applies a methodology for the analysis of the decorative designs, which aims to complement historical studies within a multidisciplinary approach. A representative number of cases is analysed according to shapes generated based on the regular and semi-regular tessellations, revealing a varied repertoire. This makes it possible to establish a classification and description of different types, graphically defined with
examples illustrating specific applications adapted to the shapes of doors and windows.