theory of architecture ( Francis D.K. Ching )

a concept that implies that “each element is first considered as a conceptual element, then as a visual element in the vocabulary of architectural design”

primary elements

indicates a position in a space

(no length, width, or depth)

point

an ordering device used throughout history to organize building forms and spaces

two points

a point extended

(properties: length, direction, and position)

line

examples of linear elements

• columns

• obelisk

• towers

a line extended

(properties: length, width, shape, surface, orientation, position)

plane

it spans and shelters the interior spaces of a building from the climatic elements that forms the upper enclosing of a room

overhead plane

it is an active in our normal field of vision and vital to the shaping and enclosure of architectural space

wall plane

isolate a portion of space to create a controlled interior environment

exterior wall planes

govern the size and shape of the internal spaces or rooms within a building

interior wall planes

it serves as the physical foundation and visual base for building forms;

it forms the lower enclosing surface of a room

base plane

a plane extended

(properties: length, width, depth, form, space, surface, orientation, position)

volume

the point of contact between mass and space

an external appearance that can be recognized

form

the characteristic outline of a plane figure or surface configuration of a volumetric form

principal aspect by which we identify and categorize forms

shape

a plane curve in which every point is equidistant from fixed point within the curve

circle

a plane figure bounded by three sides and having three angles

triangle

a plane figure having four equal sides and four right angles

square

the physical dimension of length, width, and depth of form

size

a phenomenon of light and visual perception that maybe described in terms of an individual’s perception of hue, saturation, and tonal value.

color

the visual and especially tactile quality given to a surface by the size, shape, arrangement, and proportion of parts

texture

the location of a form relative to its environment or the visual field within which it is seen

position

the direction of a form relative to the ground plane, the compass points, or to the person viewing the form

orientation

the degree of concentration and stability of a form

this depends on the forms geometry as well as its orientation relative to the ground plane, the pull of gravity, and our line of sight

visual inertia

a solid generated by the revolution of a semicircle about its diameter whose surface is at all points equidistant from the center

a ________ is a centralized highly concentrated form

sphere

a solid generated by the revolution of a rectangle about one of its sides

a ___________ is centralized about the axis passing through the centers of its two circular faces

cylinder

a solid generated by the revolution of a right triangle about one of its side

the ______ is a highly stable form when resting on its circular base and unstable when its axis is tipped or overturned

cone

a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular faces meeting at a common point or vertex

the _______ can rest in a stable manner on any of its faces

pyramid

a prismatic solid bounded by six equal square side, the angle between any two adjacent faces being a right angle

it is a stable form except when it stand on one of its edges

cube

refer to those whose parts are related to one another in a consistent and orderly manner

generally symmetrical and stable in nature in one or more axis

regular forms

are those whose parts are dissimilar in nature and related to one another in an inconsistent manner

they are generally asymmetrical and more dynamic than r_____ forms

irregular forms

a form can be transformed by altering one or more of its dimensions and still retain its identity as a member of a family forms

dimensional transformation

a form can be transformed by altering the shapes and geometric relationships of its enclosing planes

geometric transformation

a form can be transformed by subtracting a portion of its volume

depending on the extent of the subtracting process, the form can retain its original identity or transformed into a form of another family

subtractive transformation

a form can be transformed by the addition of elements to its volume

additive transformation

this type of relationship relies on the close proximity of the forms or their sharing of a common visual trait such as shape, color, or material

spatial tension

in this type of relationship, the forms share a common edge and can pivot about that edge

edge-to-edge contact

this type of relationship requires that the two forms have corresponding planer surfaces which are parallel to each other

face-to-face contact

in this type of relationship, the forms interpenetrate each other’s shapes; the forms need not share any visual traits

interlocking contact

refers to the manner in which the surfaces of a form come together to define its shape and volume

articulation

defines the meeting of two planes

corners

this constantly encompasses our being

space

a horizontal plane laying as a figure on a contrasting background which defines a simple field of space

base plane

a horizontal plane elevated above the ground plane that establishes vertical surfaces along its edges that reinforce the visual separation between its field and the surrounding ground

elevated plane

a horizontal plane depressed into the ground which utilizes the vertical surfaces of the lowered area to define a volume of space

depressed base plane

a horizontal plane located overhead which defines a volume of space between itself and the ground plane

overhead plane

it defines the perpendicular edges of a volume of space

vertical linear elements

it articulates the space on which it fronts

single vertical plane

it generates a field of space from its corner outward along a diagonal axis

L-shaped plane

it defines a volume of space between them that is oriented axially toward both open ends of the configuration

parallel planes

it defines a volume of space that is oriented primarily toward the open end of the configuration

U-shaped plane

it establish the boundaries of an introverted space and influence the field of space around the enclosure

four planes: closure

what are the qualities of architectural space?

the form of space; determined by the configuration of its defining elements and the pattern of its openings, has a significant impact on our perception of its form and orientation

degree of enclosure

the focus of the space

view or outlook

the illumination of its surfaces and forms

light

consist of using natural forces to impel airflow through a space

ventilation

relies on the temperature difference between the air inside the building and the outdoors to drive the airflow

stack ventilation

an important strategy for natural ventilation which occurs when wind hits the windward side of a building creating a positive pressure on that facade and a region of lower pressure on the opposite leeward side

cross ventilation

a space may be contained within the volume of a larger space

space within a space

the field of a space may overlap the volume of another space

interlocking space

two spaces may abut each other or share a common border

adjacent space

two spaces may rely on an intermediary space for their relationship

space linked by a common space

a central, dominant space about which a number of secondary spaces are grouped

centralized organization

a linear sequence of repetitive spaces

linear organization

a centralized space from which linear organization of space extend in a radial manner

radial organization

spaces grouped by proximity or the sharing of a common visual trait of relationship

clustered organization

spaces organized within the field of a structural grid or other three-dimensional framework

grid organization

the path of our movement can be conceived as the perceptual thread that link the spaces of a building or any series or exterior spaces together

circulation

the distant view

approach

leads directly to the entrance of a building along a straight axial path; the approach is clear

frontal approach

enhances the effect of perspective on the front facade and form of a building; the path can be redirected one or more times to delay and prolong the sequence of the approach

oblique approach

prolongs the sequence of the approach and emphasize the three-dimensional form of a building as we move around its perimeter

spiral approach

from outside to inside

entrance

the sequence of spaces

configuration of the path

edged, nodes, and terminations of the path

path-space relationships

corridors, halls, galleries, stairways, and rooms

form of the circulation space

a straight path that can be curvilinear or segmented, intersect other path, have branched, or form a loop

linear configuration

has linear paths extending from or terminating at a central common point

radial configuration

a single continuous path that originates from a central point, revolves around it, and become increasingly distant from it

spiral configuration

consist of two sets of parallel paths that intersect at regular intervals and create square of rectangular fields of space

grid configuration

consist of paths that connect established points in space

network

combination of the preceding patterns

composite configuration

• the integrity of each space is maintained

• the configuration of the path is flexible

• mediating spaces can be used to link the path with the spaces

pass by spaces

• the path may pass though a space axially, obliquely, or along its edge

• the path creates patterns of rest and movement within it

pass through spaces

• the location of the space establishes the path

• used to approach and enter functionally or symbolically important spaces

terminate in a space

give (3) forms of the circulation space

• enclosed

• open on one side

• open on both sides

provide vertical movement between the levels of a building or outdoor space

stairs and stairways

a fixed proportion used in determining measurements and dimensions

relationship between the size of an object or space and its size in relation to something else.

scale

refers to proper or harmonious relation of one part to another or to the whole

proportion

give the (3) types of proportion

• the difference between each measurement is the same. (e.g., 1, 2, 3)

• each measurement is multiplied by the same number. (e.g., 1, 2, 4)

• multiple dimensions relate to one another to create unity and balance. (e.g., 2, 3, 6)

give the (7) theories of proportion

• golden section

• classical orders

• renaissance theories

• modulor

• ken

• anthropometry

• scale

• the ratio between two sections of a line or the two dimensions of a plane figure in which the lesser of the two is to the greater as the greater is to the sum of both

• also known as the golden ratio, divine proportion, or phi (Ф)

• is a mathematical proportion of approximately 1.618

golden section

enumerate the (5) classical orders

• tuscan

• doric

• ionic

• corinthian

• composite

tuscan measurements

• 1 ¾ diameter

• 3/2 diameter

• 6 diameter

• ½ diameter

doric measurements

• 2 diameter

• ½ diameter

• 7 diameter

• ½ diameter

ionic measurements

• 2 ¼ diameter

• ½ diameter

• 8 1/3 diameter

• ½ diameter

corinthian measurements

• 2 ½ diameter

• 7/6 diameter

• 8 1/3 diameter

• ½ diameter

give the (5) classification of temples according to their intercolumniation

give Vitruvius’ rules for the diameter, height, and spacing of columns