W Lorenz:
"Estimating the Fractal Dimension of Architecture: Using two Measurement Methods implemented in AutoCAD by VBA";
Talk: The 30th International Conference on Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe - eCAADe 2012, Prague; 2012-09-12 - 2012-09-14; in: "Proceedings of eCAADe 2012 - Digital Physicality | Physical digitality", (2012), 505 - 513.

The concept of describing and analyzing architecture from a fractal point of view, on which this paper is based, can be traced back to Benoît Mandelbrot (1981) and Carl Bovill (1996) to a considerable extent. In particular, this includes the distinction between scalebound (offering a limited number of characteristic elements) and scaling objects (offering many characteristic elements of scale) made by B. Mandelbrot (1981). In the fi rst place such a differentiation is based upon a visual description. This paper explores the possibility of assistance by two measurement methods, fi rst time introduced to architecture by C. Bovill (1996). While the box-counting method measures or more precisely estimates the box-counting dimension D b of objects (e.g. facades), range analysis examines the rhythm of a design. As CAD programs are familiar to architects during design processes, the author implemented both methods in AutoCAD using the scripting language VBA. First measurements indicate promising results for indicating the distinction between what B. Mandelbrot called scalebound and scaling buildings.

Box-Counting Method; Range Analysis; Hurst-Exponent; Analyzing Architecture; Scalebound and Scaling objects