Mathematicians introduce a new class of shape, ‘soft cells’, with rounded corners that allow for unique tilings previously unexplored. These soft cells fill space without repeating arrangements, a concept that challenges traditional beliefs about tiling. Researchers have identified instances of soft tilings in nature, such as in river systems, onions, and nautilus shells. This groundbreaking work, not reliant on cutting-edge technology, offers a new descriptive language of structure. While architects like Zaha Hadid have intuitively used soft cells in design, further exploration is needed to uncover the physical principles behind these structures.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03099-6