Theory of Architecture and Masters of Design

Vocabulary flashcards covering the essence, systems, forms, and masters of architectural theory based on lecture notes.

Archi

A Greek word meaning first or original.

Tect

A Greek word referring to the ability to put things together.

Arts (Sanskrit root)

Meaning everything in its right place.

Theory (General definition)

Analysis of a set of facts in relation to one another.

Theory (Procedural)

Belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as a basis of action.

Theory (Body of Principle)

A plausible or scientifically accepted general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomenon.

Descriptive Theory

Explains phenomenon or events; they are neutral and do not lean towards any ideology.

Prescriptive Theory

Architectural theory that prescribes bases or guidelines.

Critical Theory

Architectural theory that challenges relationships between architecture and society.

Architectural Theory Composition

A collection of thoughts, views, and ideas organized by theme or topic; it is not a grand or unified theory.

Architectural Theory Form

Exists in a conceptual form that needs to be translated from concepts to reality.

Essence of Architecture (Growth)

The process instinctively recognized as the genius of growth and creation.

Essence of Architecture (Manifestation)

The physical manifestation of power resulting from the desire for the invisible to be made visible.

Spatial System (Physical Order)

The organizational pattern, relationships, and hierarchy of space.

Structure System (Physical Order)

Refers to the qualities of shape, color, texture, scale, and proportion.

Enclosure System (Physical Order)

Refers to the qualities of surfaces, edges, and openings.

Movement in Space-time

The medium through which architectural systems are experienced, including approach, entry, and sequence.

Approach and Entry

The initial phase of experiencing a building's movement in space-time.

Path Configuration and Access

The arrangement and availability of travel routes within an architectural spatial system.

Technology (Architectural means)

The means by which structure, enclosure, and environmental protection are achieved.

Architectural Comfort factors

Includes environmental protection, health, safety, welfare, and durability.

Program (Architectural)

The accommodation of user requirements, needs, aspirations, and socio-cultural factors.

Socio-cultural factors

Societal and cultural elements considered when accommodating a architectural program.

Context (Architectural)

Compatibility with the site, environment, climate, geography, and sensory characteristics of a place.

Climate factors in Context

Includes sun, wind, temperature, and precipitation.

Geography factors in Context

Includes soils, topography, vegetation, and water.

Physical Order

Architectural order dealing with solids, voids, space, structure, enclosure, and machines.

Perceptual Order

Sensory perception and recognition of physical elements through sequential experience in time.

Conceptual Order

Comprehension of the ordered and disordered relationships among a building's elements and systems.

Point (Design Element)

Marks a position in space and conceptually has no length, width, or depth.

Line (Design Element)

A point extended with properties of length, direction, and position.

Plane (Design Element)

A line extended with properties of length, width, shape, surface, and orientation.

Volume (Design Element)

A plane extended with properties of length, width, depth, form, and space.

Architectural Form (Point of Contact)

Defined as the point of contact between mass and space.

Shape (Form Property)

A visual property of form describing its specific geometry.

Visual Inertia

A property of architectural form related to its perceived stability.

Dimensional Transformation

A form transformation where a form is altered by changing dimensions like height, length, or width while retaining its identity.

Subtractive Transformation

A form transformation achieved by subtracting a portion of a form's volume.

Additive Transformation

A form transformation achieved by the addition of elements to a form's volume.

Space within a Space

A spatial relationship where a large space contains a smaller, distinct space.

Interlocking Spaces

A spatial relationship where two spaces overlap and share a common volume.

Adjacent Spaces

A spatial relationship where two spaces share a common boundary.

Spaces linked by a common Space

A spatial relationship where two spaces rely on an intermediary space for connection.

Centralized Organization

A number of secondary forms clustered about a dominant, central parent-form.

Linear Organization

A series of forms arranged sequentially in a row.

Radial Organization

A composition of linear forms extending outward from a central form.

Clustered Organization

A collection of forms grouped together by proximity or sharing a common visual trait.

Grid Organization

A set of modular forms related and regulated by a three-dimensional grid.

Approach (Circulation)

The first phase of the circulation system consisting of the distant view.

Entrance (Circulation)

The transition from outside to inside; can be flushed, projected, or recessed.

Configuration of Path

The sequence of spaces which can be linear, radial, spiral, grid, network, or composite.

Anthropocentrism

The theory that the human being is the most important entity in the universe.

Anthropomorphism

The association of human qualities (form, values, emotions) with non-human entities.

Anthropometrics

The study of the measurements of the human body.

Ergonomics

Applied science concerned with human characteristics in the design of devices for effective and safe interaction.

Proxemics

The study of symbolic and communicative roles of spatial separation maintained between individuals.

Functional Grouping

Space organization and arrangement based on activities.

Adjacency Needs Range

A planning concept determining which spaces must be together or separated.

Space Relationship Matrix

An analysis tool used to apply criteria to determine the adjacency of spaces.

Critical Adjacency

The highest level of necessity for two spaces to be located next to each other.

Critical Separation

The highest level of necessity for two spaces to be kept apart.

Required Environments: View

A functional criteria based on the necessity for a particular visual connection to the outside.

Performance Requirement

A measurable level of function that a designed object, building, or place must provide.

Concept (Programming)

A statement of an ideal set of relationships among elements like form, material, texture, and color.

Audibility

Acoustic properties contributing to hearing what is intended and masking unwanted sounds.

Behavioral Settings

The units for describing the interdependencies of activity and physical settings.

Durability

The ability of a material or structure to endure designed use over time.

Topography

A site fact referring to the physical features and elevation of the land.

Hydrology

A site fact referring to the properties and distribution of water on the site.

Design Philosophy

A statement of beliefs, values, or viewpoints from which design solutions originate.

Overall Design Concept

An initial generalized idea or germination to be expanded during the design process.

Concept Breakdown

Sub-concepts that correspond to particular areas of architectural concerns.

Translation Guidelines

Refined versions of sub-concepts that prescribe performance and quality standards.

Synthesis (Design process)

The proposal of architectural solutions for significant requirements identified during analysis.

Conceptual Board

A tool used to showcase design process, methods, summary, and vision.

Architekton

The Greek origin of 'Architecture', from 'Archi' (great) and 'Tekton' (builder).

Firmitas

Vitruvian principle referring to durability or firmness.

Utilitas

Vitruvian principle referring to utility, commodity, or usefulness.

Venustas

Vitruvian principle referring to beauty or delight.

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

The author who defined architecture as durability, utility, and beauty.

Physical Needs

Basic human requirements including food, shelter, and clothing.

Intellectual Needs

Human requirements including education, science, and government.

Emotional Needs

Human requirements including religion, art, and recreation.

Desire for Preservation

A general human influence focused on survival and protection.

Desire for Response

A human influence driven by love, friendship, and sociability.

Desire for Recognition

A human influence driven by prestige, pride, ambition, and social status.

Spatial Fit

The study of ease of use and how quickly someone understands how to use a human-made object.

Size and Shape (Component)

Consists of masses or volumes such as squares, rectangles, circles, cubes, and pyramids.

Treatment (Component)

Refers to the manipulation of sizes and shapes through pattern, texture, color, and light.

Orientation (Component)

The relative position or location of something, internal or external.

Place-Spaces

Major spaces that portray a sense of definite location or position.

Path-Spaces

Major transition spaces which are directional, such as corridors or passageways.

Transition-Spaces

Minor spaces that process a change from one condition to another; joint spaces.

Servant-spaces

Transition spaces that act as functional support, such as storage, bathrooms, or mechanical voids.

Gestalt Theory

Fundamental theory focused on the mind's perceptive processes and the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Gestalt (Literal meaning)

Meaning 'placed' or 'put together'; translated as 'form' or 'shape'.

Figure Ground Segregation

A perceptive process where the mind identifies an object (figure) against its background (ground).

Reversible figure/ground

A situation where there are no correct interpretations of what is figure and what is ground.

Proximity (Gestalt Law)

The law that elements tend to be grouped together according to their nearness.

Similarity (Gestalt Law)

The law that items similar in some respect tend to be grouped together.