Theory of Architecture 1

AMACE REVIEW

Architecture is represented by a building which meets in a satisfactory manner the requirements:

of logical function, sound construction, and beautiful composition

Architecture

man-made

Venustas

Beauty

Utilitas

Function

Firmitas

Strength

Architectural Theory

the act of thinking, discussing, and writing about architecture.

Architectural Practice

involves doing and making things; use of actual building materials

ARCHITECTURE AS ART

(1) basic response

(2) way of seeing and communicating

(3) imparts universal truths

(4) deals with emotions and optimism

ARCHITECTURE AS SCIENCE

(1) processing of information

(2) detection of patterns of order

(3) development of laws

(4) deals with facts and realism

Architecture

manifestation of man’s needs

Types of Interests and Needs

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual

Physical

self-preservation, reproduction

Emotional

preservation and recognition, response, self-expression

Intellectual

knowledge, ethics, moral obligation

Influences of Nature

climate, geography, topography, availability of materials

Influences of Man

social conditions, man’s personality, man’s interests

physical need

necessities. conveniences, comforts

necessities (primitive man)

Any shelter to protect from the elements and wild animals

necessities (modern man)

Warm, dry with provision for sanitation Permanent

conveniences (primitive man)

A small opening to crawl into the shelter then he enlarge it to pass in erect position

conveniences (modern man)

Circulation, function, food preparation, sleep and relaxation cleanlines

comforts (primitive man)

Remodeled his hut in relation to dimate with roof openings to let out the smoke

comforts (modern man)

Saw the addition of labor saving device, Heat, ventilation, communication.

emotional needs

basic needs and emotional needs

basic needs

utilitarian; food, clothing shelter, religions, government

emotional needs

decorative; sculpture, painting, music, literature

intellectual needs

tangible and intangible

tangible

materials related to food, clothing, shelter and transportation

intangible

information knowledge of law, medicine and design

materials

depends on what materials are readily available/accessible

social conditions

determined by architectural style

CLASSICAL

BEAUTY AND SIMPLICITY

ROMANESQUE

CHURCH BUILDING ACTIVITY

GOTHIC

CATHEDRAL BUILDING FORTIFIED CASTLES

RENAISSANCE

PUBLIC BUILDINGS PALACES

COLONIAL

ARCH-direct & Economical;

DOMESTIC INTIMATE

19TH CENTURY

UGLY ARCH

20TH CENTURY

COMPLEX SOCIAL SYSTEM

man’s personality

characterization aligns with current era

GREEK

Scholarly & Philosophical Refinement

FRENCH RENAISSANCE

period of multiplicity of detail in court life

VICTORIAN

era of ornateness but ugly and drab variety

CONTEMPORARY

Knowledge in science and medicineexercise

man’s interest

house, factory, church/religion

egyptian

Colossal and Permanent; Belief in the supremacy of the deities.

greek

Refinement of detail. Built in honor of the gods where only the priests were allowed to enter, viewed by the people from out side.

christian church

worship participation. Places for learning; Preaching type evolved for new denominations. Modified forms.

contemporary man

commerce, transportation, education, rehab

commerce

commercial bldgs, factories, offices, exhibition centers, stores, malls

transportation

automobiles: garages, filling stations, terminals, airplane: airport, steamships: docks and warehouses. Railroads: passenger & freight terminals

education

schools, colleges, museums, libraries, research centers, laboratories

rehabilitation

theaters, dance halls, arenas, golf clubs, hospitals, clinics

Architecture as Response

based on the need for shelter; folk architecture

Architecture as Defense

organized cities / urban planning; defensive architecture

Architecture as an Ideal

aspiration toward utopia; architectural theory first studied; return to classical

Architecture as Fine Art

architecture as an expression of an evolved society; status architecture

Archaic

Untried hands trying to master new problems, mediums, and expression

Archaic

Pre-historic, Mesopotamian, Egyptian

Mastery

Relative control over medium; sureness of technique

Mastery

Classical styles, Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic

Decadence

Designs less structural and more ornate; Experimentation and excess; New forms of expression

Decadence

Renaissance, Baroque, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, Modern

contemporary movement

an expression of steel and concrete, new materials interpreted in many ways

eurpoean precedents

structural (creative) and imitative (decorative)

greek

refinement of line, simplicity of detail; exterior focus

roman

large span and covered with concrete vault; pretentious

romanesque

Employed round arch and vault to give equilibrium by the adjustment of the thrusts; direct and vigorious

gothic

activities were the result of intense religious fervor; A system of construction, religion and philosophy

renaissance

Italy reverted back to classical style; classical, formal arrangements of churches, villas, and palaces

primary elements of form

point, line, plane, volume

point

fixed position in space; no length, no depth

line

extended point; w/ length, direction, and position

straight line

sturdy, masculine, it belongs to architecture, it has its moods

vertical

expresses the spirit of the Gothic, it is proud and exalted, it is inspiration

horizontal

represents the horizon of the seascape, it is calm and peaceful, it is repose

diagonal

symbolizes the flight of geese; it is vigorous or even angry, it is action

curved line

more subtle than the straight line. It is more graceful and sensitive; feminine

plane

Can have shape, color, pattern, texture, orientation, and position

shape

primary identifying characteristic of a plane

primary shapes

square, triangle, circles

types of planes

base, vertical, overhead

two types of base plane

elevated and depressed

volume

A plane extended in a direction other than its intrinsic direction

primary volumes

sphere, cylinder, cube, pyramid, cone

the invisible structure

The plan is the beginning of the building- it is the foundation. It relates the various units to each other

proceeds from within to without

giving emphasis to the invisible structure as the foundation upon which the scheme of the structure rests

proceeds from general to particular

where in architectural composition, mass is more important than surface

the visible structure

composed of form and surface

mass/volume

evidence of the 3rd dimension

direction

either vertical or horizontal in direction

shape

geometric qualities (square, cylindrical, etc.)

area

surface with two dimensions, as the façade of a building

texture

surface treatment identified with materials, rough or smooth, etc.

tone

light and shade caused by openings, projections, etc.

color

inherent or applied colors caused by spectrum hues

form

the primary identifying characteristic of a volume; it is determined by the shape and interrelationships of the planes that describe the boundaries of the volume

seven visual properties of form

shape, size, color, texture, position, orientation, visual inertia

shape

the principal identifying characteristic of form

size

the real dimensions of form, its length, width and depth

color

the hue, intensity and total value of form's surface