Theory of Architecture: Introduction to Architectural Theory Lecture Notes PDF
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These lecture notes provide an introduction to architectural theory, covering fundamental concepts such as the definition of architecture, elements of architecture (points, lines, planes, volumes), and form defining spaces. This material includes various types of planes (overhead, wall, base, horizontal, elevated), and discussions of their uses in architectural design.
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# Theory of Architecture: Introduction to Architectural Theory ## Course Content - Definition of Architecture - Elements of architecture - Space defining elements - Opening in space defining elements - Spatial relationship - Spatial organization - Primary forms - Transformation of forms ## Definit...
# Theory of Architecture: Introduction to Architectural Theory ## Course Content - Definition of Architecture - Elements of architecture - Space defining elements - Opening in space defining elements - Spatial relationship - Spatial organization - Primary forms - Transformation of forms ## Definition of Architecture 1. Originated from the Greek word Architekton 2. Archi - great; tekton - builder 3. Architecture is the art and science of building 4. It is the conscious creation of utilitarian spaces with the deliberate use of material 5. Architecture should be technically efficient and aesthetically pleasing. ## Elements of Architecture ### Primary Elements of Architecture - **Point:** zero dimension; indicates position in space. - **Line:** 1D; point extended becomes a line. With properties of length, direction & position. - **PLane:** 2D -line extended becomes a plane with properties of length, width, shape, surface, orientation, position. - **Volume:** 3D; a plane extended becomes a volume with properties and length, width, depth, form, space, surface, orientation, position. ### Plane 1. Shape is the primary identifying characteristic of a plane. 2. Supplementary properties are surface, color, pattern, texture, affecting visual. 3. Plane serves to define the limits or boundaries of a volume. ### Volume - **Points or vertices:** Lines or edges - 2 planes meet - **Planes or surfaces:** Form is the primary identifying characteristic of a volume. Established by shapes & interrelationship of planes. A volume can be solid space displaced by mass or void contained by planes. ## Elements of form defining space ### In architecture we manipulate three generic types of planes - **Overhead plane** - Ceiling plane - Roof plane - **Wall plane** - Vital for enclosure of architecture space. - Active in our field of vision - **Base plane** - With ground plane the building can merge, rest firmly or be elevated above it ### Horizontal plane - **Base plane** 1. Seems to be figured out when there is a perceptible change in color, texture 2. With edge definition 3. With surface articulation- e.g. carpet, lawn, paving etc. - **Elevated base plane** - Elevating creates a specific domain - If surface characteristics continue up across the elevated plane then the elevated one will appear part of surrounding plane. - If edge conditions is articulated by a change in form, color, texture, then the field will become a distinct plateau, that is separated from surroundings. ### Horizontal plane - spatial & visual continuity - **Edge is well defined. Spatial continuity maintained. Physical access accommodated.** - **Visual and spatial continuity is interrupted. Elevated plane isolated from ground level.** - **Spatial continuity interrupted; visual continuity maintained; required stairs for physical access.** ### Horizontal plane - elevated plane - it can be result form site conditions or constructed to elevate a building from surroundings to enhance its image in landscape - used to differentiate the sacred buildings or it defines any important typology - elevated plane can define a transitional space between exterior and interior - A section floor plane can be elevated to establish a zone of space with in the large space - **Acropolis, Athens** - **Villa Savoye, Paris** ### Horizontal plane - depressed base plane - spatial & visual continuity - **Vertical surface of depression establishes boundaries** - **By contrasting form, geometry or orientation** - **Remains an integral part** - **The space is distinct** - **Separates** ### Horizontal plane - depressed plane - **Depressed areas in topography of site - stage for outdoor arenas and amphitheater** - **Steps down - introvert nature ** - **Steps up - extrovert nature** - **Depression benefits sightlines, sense of having, acoustical quality** ### Overhead plane - **it is similar to the trees.** - **It gives sense of enclosure.** - **Overhead plane define a filed of space between itself and ground plane.** - **Edges of the overhead plane define the boundaries of this field.** - **Vertical linear elements, edges of overhead plane, elevated base plan and depressed base plane aid in visually establishing the limits of the defined space and reinforce the volume.** - **Valencia Opera House, Spain** - **Salamanca House, New Zealand** ## OVERHEAD PLANE - **Offers protection.** - **Determines overall form** - **Determined by the materials & structural form.** - **The roof plane** - **can visually express how the pattern of structural members** - **can be the major space defining element of the building and visually organizes a series of forms and spaces beneath the canopy.** - **University of phoenix, Arizona, Indoor stadium. Retractable roof.** - **Tensile Roof** ## Roof plane - **Can be hidden from view by wall or merge.** - **Can be single or many** - **Can extend outward as overhang** - **Can be elevated to allow breeze to pass through** - **Overall form can be endeavored with a distinctly planar quality by opening with vertical or horizontal edges.** - **Dynamic Tower, UAE** - **Arena Zagreb, Croatia** ## ROOF PLANE - **Glass House, New Canaan, Connecticut, designed by Philip Johnson, 1949.** ## Ceiling plane - **Can reflect the form of the structural system.** - **Can be detached from roof plane, suspended, underside of an overhead.** - **Can be lowered/raised to articulate spaces.** - **Can be manipulated to define and articulate spaces.** - **Can be manipulated to define and articulate zone of spaces.** - **Form, color, texture and pattern of the ceiling plane can be manipulated to improve the quality of light/sound/directional quality.** - **Form can be manipulated to control the quality of light, sound within a space.** - **Lowered** - **Raised to let in Light** ## Ceiling plane - **Light wave ceiling plane** - **Restaurant Rosso, Israel** - **UAE, Airport.** ## Single vertical plane - **A vertical plane has frontal qualities.** - **It has two surfaces or faces which it fronts on and establish two distinct spatial fields** - **They can differ in form, color or texture to articulate different spatial conditions.** - **The height of the vertical plane relative to our body height and eye level is the critical factor that effects the ability of the plane to visually describe spaces.** ## Single Vertical plane - **This vertical wall divides the campus and forest area.** - **The wall establishes different spatial quality** - **JNCASR Building, Designed By Charles Correa, Bangalore** ## Single vertical plane - **Provides little or no sense of enclosure. It defines the edges of spatial field** - **Provides sense of enclosure. It allows visual continuity** - **Separates one space from another** - **Full sense of enclosure**
