Editing Symmetry (section)

===In architecture===
{{Further|Mathematics and architecture}}
[[File:Taj Mahal, Agra views from around (85).JPG|thumb|Seen from the side, the [[Taj Mahal]] has bilateral symmetry; from the top (in plan), it has fourfold symmetry.]]

Symmetry finds its ways into architecture at every scale, from the overall external views of buildings such as Gothic [[cathedral]]s and [[The White House]], through the layout of the individual [[floor plan]]s, and down to the design of individual building elements such as [[mosaic|tile mosaics]]. [[Islam]]ic buildings such as the [[Taj Mahal]] and the [[Lotfollah mosque]] make elaborate use of symmetry both in their structure and in their ornamentation.<ref>[http://members.tripod.com/vismath/kim/ Williams: Symmetry in Architecture]. Members.tripod.com (1998-12-31). Retrieved on 2013-04-16.</ref><ref>[http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/teaching/math-art-arch.shtml Aslaksen: Mathematics in Art and Architecture]. Math.nus.edu.sg. Retrieved on 2013-04-16.</ref> Moorish buildings like the [[Alhambra]] are ornamented with complex patterns made using translational and reflection symmetries as well as rotations.<ref>{{cite book |author=Derry, Gregory N. |title=What Science Is and How It Works |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dk-xS6nABrYC&pg=PA269 |year=2002 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-1-4008-2311-6 |pages=269–}}</ref>

It has been said that only bad architects rely on a "symmetrical layout of blocks, masses and structures";<ref name=Dunlap>{{cite news |last1=Dunlap |first1=David W. |title=Behind the Scenes: Edgar Martins Speaks |url=http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/31/behind-10/?_r=0 |newspaper=New York Times |access-date=11 November 2014 |date=31 July 2009 | quote=“My starting point for this construction was a simple statement which I once read (and which does not necessarily reflect my personal views): ‘Only a bad architect relies on symmetry; instead of symmetrical layout of blocks, masses and structures, Modernist architecture relies on wings and balance of masses.’}}</ref> [[Modernist architecture]], starting with [[International style (architecture)|International style]], relies instead on "wings and balance of masses".<ref name=Dunlap/>