rendrons

Rendrons are a family of modular geometric units used in geometry, sculpture, and digital fabrication. Each rendron is a convex polyhedron whose faces are primarily rhombi arranged in a regular pattern so that multiple rendrons can interlock without gaps.

Construction and variants: Rendrons are generated by assembling rhomboidal prisms around shared edges. By varying the rhombus angles and the number of prisms meeting at a vertex, designers create a range of rendron tilings, from planar mosaics to three-dimensional lattices. The same basic unit can be adapted to produce both flat tilings and volumetric structures.

Properties: Rendrons offer modularity, a straightforward tessellation mechanism, and the ability to approximate curved surfaces when used in larger assemblies. Depending on geometry, rendrons can display different symmetries, including mirror and rotational symmetry, and can be tailored for attributes such as lightness, stiffness, or aesthetic effect. Their rhombic faces facilitate precise cutting and assembly in fabrication workflows.

Applications and history: The concept emerged with advances in algorithmic design and rapid prototyping in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Rendron-based systems have been used in sculptural works, architectural facades, and computational meshes, illustrating how rhombic-based modular design can support efficient material use and flexible form exploration. While not tied to a single canonical model, rendrons serve as a practical framework for exploring tessellation, interlocking components, and surface-fitting in both art and engineering contexts.