Left, geometric transformation of the external form of two different fish having the same internal wholeness, re-drawn from D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson’s book “On Growth and Form” (page 1063). Center, crystal transformed into a skyscraper loses its wholeness. The crystal’s 3-dimensional atomic lattice gives it structural wholeness, whereas the hollow building’s supportive steel framework does not extend to its volume, or to the transparent curtain walls. It is fine as a monument, only meant to be observed at a distance. Right, banana slug (Ariolimax) transformed into a Museum of Contemporary Art — an example of informational collapse. None of the animal’s complex internal structure gets transformed. The building is just an empty shell, without any transformation of its internal structure.
- Salingaros, Nikos A., and Michael W. Mehaffy. "Ch 09. The Transformation of Wholes" In Design for a Living Planet: Settlement, Science, & the Human Future. Design for a Living Planet: Settlement, Science, & the Human Future. Levellers/Sustasis Press and Vajra Publications, 2015. Digital Library
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- "Figures." In Design for a Living Planet: Settlement, Science, & the Human Future. DFLAP. Levellers/Sustasis Press and Vajra Publications, 2015.
- "Ch 09. The Transformation of Wholes." In Design for a Living Planet: Settlement, Science, & the Human Future, 101-110. DFLAP. Levellers/Sustasis Press and Vajra Publications, 2015.