The Shape of Tiles: Regular and Irregular, Hard and Soft

Tue Apr 28 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm UTC+01:00

Gresham College | London

Gresham College
Publisher/HostGresham College
The Shape of Tiles: Regular and Irregular, Hard and Soft
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Tiling involves filling a plane with repeated elements, known as tiles. This lecture will explore how these patterns emerge in nature.
About this Event

Tiling involves filling a plane or space with repeated elements, known as tiles. This simple concept is deeply embedded in the natural world and human design, appearing in structures as varied as the hexagonal wax cells of a beehive and decorative wallpapers. While regular hard tiles—geometric shapes with straight edges that fit together without gaps or overlaps—are common in human-made designs, nature often favours soft or irregular patterns, shaped by physical forces. In this lecture, I will explore how both regular and irregular tiling patterns, hard and soft, emerge in nature and the underlying mathematical principles that govern their formation.

A lecture by Professor Alain Goriely.

This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/shape-tiles

Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: Donate Today | Gresham College

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Gresham College, Barnard's Inn Hall, London, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 0.00

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