Architectural Elements and Form

• Theory of Architecture 12 EXIT EXAM Reviewer 1

Primary Elements of Architecture

• Point: Zero dimension; position in space
• Line: 1 dimensional; extended point; length, direction, and position
• Plane: 2 dimensional; length, width, space, surface, orientation, and position
• Volume: 3 dimensional; length, width, depth, form, space, surface, orientation, and position

Form

• Solid: space enclosed by plane
• Void: space displaced by mass
• Shape: Characteristic outline or space configuration of a particular form
• Size: Physical dimension of form length, width, height
• Texture: Visual and tactile quality given to a surface, light affects textures
• Color: Affected by light, gives individual perception on hue, saturation, and tonal value
• Orientation: Direction of form relative to ground plane, compass point, other forms, or the person viewing them
• Position: Location of form relative to its environment
• Visual inertia: Degree of concentration and stability of form

Elements of Form Defining Space

• Overhead plane: offers protection with ceiling and roof planes
• Wall plane: enclosure of architectural space
• Base plane: ground plane where a building can rest firmly.
• Horizontal plane: can be a base plane contrasting the background.
• Elevated Plane: Above ground, affects spatial, visual continuity
• Overhead plane: Above scale human head
• Depressed plane: Horizontal plane depressed into ground, affects spatial, visual continuity

Vertical Linear Elements

• Vertical Plane (Wall Plane): Height affects sense of enclosure and continuity
• Planes closure: Vertical planes on all sides provides sense of privacy
• Parallel Plane: Space is open-ended (i.e., hallway)
• L-shaped Plane: Field of space from corner outward along a diagonal.
• U-shaped Plane: Space surrounded with elements with one open-end side (i.e., kitchen space).

Openings in Space Defining Elements

• Spaces require Openings for visual and spatial continuity
• Openings determine movement patterns and allow light

Primary Solids

• Sphere: Regular/continuous space, appears impenetrable and uninviting but interiors are concave and inviting
• Cylinder: Rounded surface, outline appears rectilinear in far distance
• Pyramid (and cone): Tapering, inclined surface gathering at apex shows devotional character and is Acoustically good
• Cube: Static form (equal sides)
• Cuboid: Includes horizontality and verticality.

Transformation of Forms

• Dimensional transformation: Alters dimensions through compression and stretching
• Subtractive transformation: Removing a portion of the original shape's volume
• Additive transformation: Adding elements to the original shape's volume

Spatial Organization

• Grid organization: Space organized within the field of a structural grid/framework
• Cluster organization: Spaces grouped by proximity or sharing of traits/relationships.
• Linear organization: Linear sequence of repetitive spaces
• Central organization: Dominant space about which other secondary spaces are grouped
• Radial organization: Central space from which linear organizations of space extend in a radial manner

Theories of Space-Spatial Relationships

• Space within a space: Space contained within a larger space
• Interlocking spaces: Field of a space overlaps with volume of another

Principles of Architectural Design

• Datum: Line, plane, or volume of reference which other elements relate
• Proportion: Relationship of elements respecting comparative size, number, or degree, in structural and manufactured contexts
• Balance: Stability of arrangement, Symmetrical and asymmetrical
• Scale: Size compared to known reference
• Axis: Organizes forms and organization in architecture, promotes view, implies symmetry/balance
• Rhythm: Movement characterized by patterned recurrence of elements at regular/irregular interval
• Hierarchy: Differences rely on form/spaces to function and symbolic cues such as an Exceptional size, unique shape, strategic locations Symmetry
• Symmetry: Balanced distribution and arrangement of equivalent forms/spaces on either side of a diving line/place/axis (axial, biaxial, radian)

Theories of Proportion

• Absolute: Relationship of part to whole e.g., door size to the entire house
• Relative: Relationship of one part w/another example e.g., door sizes compared to window sizes

Aesthesis, Visual Judgement & Relationships

• Golden section: Ratio of 1:1, 1:2 or 1:1.618
• Classical orders: Unit of dimension was the diameter of the column
• Ken: Japanese unit of measurement, Shaku and ken is much like feet and inches, basis for the tatami floor mat
• Modular: Le Corbusier, human scale basis, measurements of 113, 70, 43 cm.
• Anthropometry: Measurement of humans
• Scale: Compared to reference
• Renaissance theories: Palladio, Alberti, Vignola

Circulation- Movement Through Space

• Approach: Distant view; first phase
• Entrance: Outside to inside, configuration of space, path-space relationships
• Form of the circulation space: corridors, halls, galleries, stairways, rooms

Types of Approach

• Frontal: Entire façade is clear
• Oblique: Approached at extreme angle - enhances perspective effect
• Spiral: Emphasizes 3D Form
• Entrance (Exterior to interior) can be Flush (continuity), Projected (transitional space, head-shelter) or Recessed (shelter, interior space)
• Configuration of Space: Can be Linear or Radial
• Spiral: Single continuous path revolves
• Grid: Parallel paths intersect at regular intervals
• Network: Paths connect established paths
• Composite: Combination of all the above

Path-Space Relationships

• Pass by spaces: Integrity maintained
• Pass through spaces: Creates patterns
• Terminate in a space: Space establishes part functionally/symbollically
• Form can be: corridors, halls, galleries, stairways, rooms

Various Types

• Closed: Through entrances in wall plane
• Open on one side: Gallery provides visual
• Open on both sides: Extension of space

Behavior Setting

• Detectable independent behavior patterns
• The Behavior Setting Survey is based on People, size characteristics, Objects, Action patterns and behaviors (Localised & Specialised)
• Organizing Space and Action-Behavior based on: Collaboration between scientist & Designer and Factors That Affect Behavioral Considerations (Linkage of activity and setting, density etc.)

General Objectives

• Behavioral support
• Communication

Principles of Composition

• Unity: visual composition in design/relationship between elements, creating a feeling of whole, usually w/something in common considering texture, color, tone, direction, proportion, and form
• Dominance: Element with the most visual weight.
• Harmony: Elements forming connected whole with an interaction or orderly combination of Color, tone, direction
• Provided mainly by contrast.
• Emphasis: Stress/accent/prominence
• Fluidity: Impression of flow/movement
• Measurement of resolution

Visual Acuity & Perception

• Perception: Brain takes/interprets meaningful sensations
• Perceptual constancy: Property of remaining stable with reference to Size, Shape and Brightness
• Gestalt Theory: Mind's perceptive processes & principles (Gestalt-form/shape) the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
• Figure-ground relationship: Perceive objects/figures existing on a background
• Proximity: Objects near each other are the same group
• Similarity: Items similar grouped together
• Closure: Complete incomplete figures
• Continuity: Compelled through object continuing to the next
• Contiguity: Things that happen together in time are related

Principles of Contiguity

• Place printed words near corresponding graphics
• Words should be synchronized with corresponding graphics
• Ability to detect 3D world
• Cues in depth Perception: Monocular (pictorial cues), Linear Perspective, Relative Size, Overlap, Texture Gradient, Motion Parallax, and Binocular

Types of Vision

• Stereoscopic: Overlap
• Kinesthetic: Eye movements

Environmental Psychology

• How people notice/seek environments
• Elements that affect Perception are Color, Texture, Space, Light
• People tend to look for: Coherence & Legibility
• Gestalt demonstrates proximity/ patterns/ spacing/portions

PROXEMICS

• Proximity studied by Edward T Hall and can be Personal, Formal or Social
• Interpersonal Spaces measured in different types of distances
• Defensible space theory: by Oscar Newman encompassing crime prevention and neighborhood safety
• Four Security Factors of Defensible Space: Territoriality, Natural surveillance, Capacity/Image and Milieu with colors (primary, secondary and tertiary)

Chromatic Energy

• Composed of a basic color or Hue with Value (lightness), tints (between color and white), shades (between color and black), tones (color greyed down) which may have emphasis.
• Color Usage of whole & residential, commercial, industrial should be studied
• Architectural theories from antiquity

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio - De Architectura

• Architecture imitates natural Greek styles and is fundamentally Orderly, Arranged, Eurythmic, Symmetrical with propriety and consideration for Economy

Mannerist Architectural Style

• Developed with styles from Architects de Statua, Della Pittura
• Includes ten chapters on theory of architecture

Leon Battista Alberti

• Alberti designed ideal floor plans from geometrically circular temples
• 20th Century Isms are divided into styles such as classicism/neoclassicism & functionalism

Classicism / Neoclassicism

• classical architecture of ancient Greece and Rome utilizing shapes, columns, pediments, roofs, doorways and windows in an even fashion

Modernism, Minimalism & Futurism

• Considers building as a volume enclosed resting on piers is Italian and anti-historic
• Constructivism is communist, Expressionism is early-modernist with a Postmodern and Deconstructivist style

Louis Sullivan - spiritual father of modern American architecture

• Symbolism and geometric structural philosophy

Frank Lloyd Wright - lavish lifestyle

• bootlegged houses: massing, geometric lines, Prairie houses: echoing landscape
• le Corbusier (international brutalist architect) :visual bridge-metrics
• Architecture programming: managing to get enough of the right information from all stages of design process with concerns for Site analysis, User profiles and all Constraints

Design Considerations

• A mission with goal statements-aligned and values
• Create unique solutions, establishing essential that is base on
• Architectural design has many steps through Definition, Strategies, Development along project and client-defined Objectives and a range of user needs

3 stages of analysis:

• Interrelationship, Zoning and Circulation with three schemes to analyse users and create design

Design process- integration of aesthetics and function

• Analysis and blend to mental (familiar analyzation) representing two stages in various steps:

analysis of a building: form, functionality, structure