Theory of Architecture 1

Theory of Architecture 1

• Architecture is a material fact because of different activities, locations, and contexts (time, place, technology, and program)
• Architects in the same area exchange information and experiences
• Style is a typical form used by many buildings
• Architecture is defined by stylistic similarity
• Architecture represents social institutions
• Theory of Architecture translates complex relationships of institutions into built form
• Theory of Architecture acts as a critical function
• Identifying problems, analyzing the relation between architecture and other institutions
• Looking at what architects want to achieve
• Offering solutions to semantic or stylistic problems
• Providing historical background for critical issues

Buildings, Styles, and Architecture

• Buildings are considered material facts because they respond to various contexts
• Buildings are different from each other as well as having their own unique contexts
• Buildings share stylistic similarities due to their typical forms used
• Architects consider the process of different styles in similar buildings being too similar of too different.
• Analyzing different building types

Design, Designer, and Architecture

• Architecture is a conceived idea materialized into a physical structure that responds to cultural, technological, environmental or physical, and social conditions
• Shaping architecture: examples of environmental conditions influence architecture, like stone Chinese pagoda to wooden Japanese pagoda due to earthquake frequency

Architectural Elements

• Point: A non-dimensional entity, defines location (vertex, center, middle, intersection of two or more lines, origin/destination)
• Line: Has dimension, defines edge, border, intersection of two planes
• Plane: Has two dimensions, forms a defined area, can be created by multiple non-parallel lines, includes surfaces like floors, walls

3-Dimensional Figures

• Solids (figures) and spaces
• Volume, shape, and surface are key characteristics

Visual Elements

• Shape: Characterizing outline or surface configuration of a form
• Size: Physical dimensions (length, width, depth)
• Color: Phenomenon of light and visual perception
• Texture: Visual and tactile quality (size, shape, arrangement, proportion)
• Position: The form's location concerning its environment
• Orientation: Form's direction relative to ground plane or other forms
• Visual Inertia: The degree of concentration and stability of a form

Primary Shapes

• Circle: Every point on the curve is equidistant from a central point
• Triangle: A plane figure with three sides and three angles
• Square: A plane figure with four equal sides and four right angles

Solid Forms

• Sphere: Solid formed by the revolution of a semicircle about its diameter
• Cylinder: A solid formed by the revolution of a rectangle around one of its sides
• Cone: A solid formed by the revolution of a right triangle around one of its sides
• Pyramid: A polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular faces meeting at a common point
• Cube: A prismatic solid bounded by 6 equal square sides (right angles)

Transformations and Collisions

• The transformation of elements shape, size, and form create diverse impressions
• Spatial tension, point-to-point, face-to-face, interlocking volumes, linear, centralized, radial, and clustered are forms of additive transformation.
• Collision of geometry is like additive transformation, where forms of similar shapes combine to create a new form

Form and Space

• Space/void often defines objects within the space
• Figure-ground theory considers solids and spaces, studying their interaction
• Form organization is based on at least three factors : physical structure, proximity, and circulation

Spatial Relationships

• Adjacency: Spaces touching or sharing a border
• Proximity: Relative closeness of spaces
• Interlocking spaces: Spaces whose volumes overlap and intertwine.

Articulation of Form

• Articulation is how surfaces meet to form shape and volume.
• It's used to differentiate surfaces with color and texture.
• Removing corners, or adding and changing material can significantly change a volume.

Form and Space- Openings, Edges, Corners

• Openings are significant elements that lead to continuity and flow
• Different types of openings are present in structures, located in planes, corners, or between planes

Design Principles

• Balance: refers to the arrangement of weights/elements.
• Symmetry/Formal Balance: Elements identical on either side of a central line -
• Asymmetry/Informal Balance: Elements are not identical, but equal in visual weight
• Radial Balance: Elements radiate outward from a central point
• Vertical Balance: Equal weights/elements at the top and bottom.
• Horizontal Balance: Equal weights/elements on the left and right sides
• Emphasis: Center of attraction for the eye within a composition.
• Rhythm: Repetition of elements - regular, random, graded

Design Elements and Composition Principles

• Contrast: Creating noticeable differences between elements (color, proportion, shape, texture)
• Variety: Many different textures or elements ensure diversity of visual interest
• Proportion: The relationship in size of elements and other elements
• Golden Section: A proportion found in nature, art, and architecture.
• Classical Order: An architectural system of scale and proportion, where certain elements relate based on their size and scale in relation to the structure.
• Renaissance Theories: Ideal proportions based on Greek and Roman architectural principles
• Anthropometry: A proportion of human measurements that guides design-
• Shaku/Ken: Units of measurement, based on human physical features.

Circulation

• The circulation in a building is a definitive way to experience spatial qualities in the exterior