Introduction to Architecture

General Architecture Definition

• Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings.

Architect Role

• An architect designs buildings and coordinates/supervises all construction aspects.

Vernacular Architecture

• Architecture that uses common regional forms and materials.
• It includes ethnic influences, modest designs, and traditional/modern style mixes.

Architecture and Civil Engineering

• Civil Engineering is most related to architecture in terms of structural conceptualization.

Architecture and Urban Design/Planning

• Urban design and planning are closely related to architecture regarding land analysis.

Architecture and Heritage Design

• Heritage design relates to architecture through projects with adaptive reuse focusing on aesthetics and space functionality.

Architectural Style

• It is the classification of buildings sharing similar design elements, materials, form, scale and structure
• Styles often correlate with time periods, regions, or religious traditions.

Energy-Efficient Design

• Focuses on reducing energy, water consumption, operating costs, and environmental impact.
• Uses natural lighting, low-E glass, solar electric systems, and efficient ventilation.

Ergonomics

• It is the applied science of coordinating designs of devices, systems, and environments with human physiological and psychological capabilities and requirements.

Professions Working with Architects

• Civil engineers, interior designers, and landscape architects work directly with architects.

Blobitecture

• A movement in architecture featuring organic, amoeba-shaped building forms.

Design

• The creation and organization of formal elements in a work of art.

Fibonacci Series

• An unending sequence of numbers, where the first two terms are 1 and each subsequent term is the sum of the two preceding ones.

Form

• Shape and structure distinguished from substance or material, possessing mass and volume.

Social Distance

• An ideal social distance range is 1.20 to 3 meters.

Shape

• The outline configuration of a figure showing the enclosed area.

Design Concept

• A concept for the form, structure, and features of a building, represented graphically.

Design Process

• The activity of devising a plan to change an existing situation into a preferred state.
• A cyclical and iterative process with various stages.

Synthesis

• Combining separate elements to form a coherent whole.

Space Planning

• Planning, layout, design, and furnishing spaces within a building.

Additive

• Characterized or produced by addition or accumulation, often resulting in a new identity.

Articulation

• A jointing method that makes united parts clear, distinct, and precise in relation to each other.

Subtractive

• Characterized or produced by removing a part without destroying the sense of the whole.

Repetition

• Repeating formal elements or motifs in a design.

Gradation

• Change that takes place by degrees through a series of gradual successive stages.

Universal Design

• Spaces, buildings, and facilities fully accessible and usable by all people.

Theories

• Theories are similar to ideologies, philosophies, and beliefs, but not factual.

Artistic Side of Architecture

• Includes Delight, Beauty, Aesthetics, and Taste.

Point

• The prime generator of form, indicating its position in space.

Spatial Relationships - Radial

• The figure represents a radial spatial relationship

Spatial Relationships - Centrality

• The figure represents centrality.

Spatial Relationships - Linear

• The figure represents a linear spatial relationship.

Spatial Relationships - Interlocking Spaces

• Interlocking spatial relationships create more building footprint.

Spatial Relationships - Adjacent Spaces

• Adjacent spatial relationships create fewer partitions between spaces.

Spatial Relationships - Spaces Linked by a Common Space

• Linked spaces are the most common layout in hotel room floors.

Proportions and Measurements - The Modulor

• The figure is identified to be Le Corbusier’s proportioning system or the Modulor.

Proportions and Measurements - "The Ken"

• The figure shown is inspired by a Japanese mat as a guide in proportion, identified as "The Ken".

Proportions and Measurements - The Golden Section

• The figure represents the Golden Ratio spiral or the Golden Section.

Color Theory

• The basic color wheel is divided into 12 slices.

Color Scheme - Triadic

• In a color wheel, selecting three side-by-side colors is called Triadic.

Color Scheme - Split Complementary

• Using two colors selected opposite to each other in the color wheel.

Secondary Colors

• Secondary colors include orange and violet.
• Green is a primary color.

Primary Colors

• Primary colors are Red, Blue, and Green in additive color mixing, however Yellow is NOT included,

Basic Color Wheel

• Black, brown, gray, and white are not in the basic color wheel.

Color Mixing - Green

• The correct formula to come up with the color green is Blue + Yellow.

Color Mixing - Gray

• Part Black + Part Green + Part Yellow + Part Orange is the correct formula for gray.

Space Frame

• A structural concept widely used today as a basic framing system.

Constantinos Doxiadis

• He theorized the science of human settlements or Ekistics.

Louis Sullivan

• He theorized on spaces and concluded that "form follows function."

Frank Lloyd Wright

• He had a concept of a Broadacre City, where families own 1 acre of land.

Space Frame (Structural Concept)

• Enables structures with columns having large spans, creating unobstructed spaces.

Structural Concept - Thin Shell Concrete

• A structural concept shown in the image.

Folded Plate

• The form concept in this structure.

Structural Element - Beam

• A horizontal member spanning an opening and carrying a load.