Study Notes on Architecture: Form, Elements, and Properties

Form

Primary Elements, Shapes, Solids, & the Properties of Form

A Theory of Architecture 1 Lecture

Topic Outcome

  • By the end of this topic, students will be able to understand:

    • the primary elements

    • Shapes & solids

    • properties of form

  • Students will be able to identify, classify, and sketch these elements.

Overview

  • Architecture is considered a universal language of mankind, existing in all cultures since time immemorial.

  • Quote: "Written in plan, spoken in stone."

  • To understand this language, we must first know the ABCs of Architecture.

The Primary Elements

  • Point

    • Indicates a position in space.

  • Line

    • Has length but no width or depth.

  • Plane

    • Has length and width but no depth; defined by shape.

  • Volume

    • Has all three dimensions; defined by form.

Conceptual and Visual Elements

  • Primary elements are first considered as a conceptual element, then as a visual element in the vocabulary of Architectural Design.

  • Translated into paper or the 3D space, this becomes a work of Architecture.

As Prime Generators of Form

  • Point: Indicates a position in space.

  • Line: A point extended becomes a line with the properties:

    • Length

    • Direction

    • Position

  • Plane: A line extended becomes a plane with properties:

    • Length

    • Width

    • Shape

    • Surface

    • Orientation

    • Position

  • Volume: A plane extended becomes a volume with properties:

    • Length

    • Width

    • Depth

    • Form

    • Space

    • Surface

    • Orientation

    • Position

Point & Point Elements

Point as the Prime Element in the Vocabulary of Form

Definitions and Characteristics of a Point

  • A Point:

    • Marks a position in space.

    • Has no length, width, or depth.

    • Is static, centralized, and directionless.

  • Functions of a Point:

    • Marks the two ends of a line.

    • Marks the intersection of two lines.

    • Represents the meeting of lines at the corner of a plane or volume.

    • Serves as the center of a field.

Stability of a Point

  • At the center of its environment, a point is stable and at rest.

  • When moved off-center, it competes for visual supremacy.

Point Elements

Point as a Linear Form

  • A point projected vertically can visibly mark a position in space (i.e. Obelisk, Column, Tower).

  • Other Representations of a Point:

    • Point as the center of a circle.

    • Point as the central axis of a cylinder.

    • Point as the core of a sphere.

    • Two points can represent a segment.

    • Two points can represent an axis.

Line, Linear Elements, & Linear Elements Defining Planes

  • A line is a critical element in the formation of any visual construction.

Definition of a Line

  • A Line:

    • Has length but no width or depth.

    • Is capable of visually expressing direction, movement, and growth.

  • Functions of a Line:

    • Can joint, link, support, surround, or intersect other visual elements.

    • Describes the edges of and gives shape to planes.

    • Articulates the surfaces of planes.

Characteristics of Lines

  • Lines must have some degree of thickness to be visible.

  • The character of a line is determined by our perception of:

    • Length-width ratio

    • Contour

    • Degree of continuity

  • Orientation of a Line:

    • Vertical lines express equilibrium with the force of gravity, symbolize the human condition, or mark a position.

    • Horizontal lines represent stability, the ground plane, or a body at rest.

    • Oblique lines are dynamic and visually active in their unbalanced state (example: Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi).

Structural Functions of Lines

  • Linear members with necessary material strength can perform structural functions by:

    • Expressing movement across space.

    • Providing support for an overhead plane.

    • Forming a three-dimensional structural frame for architectural space.

Vertical Linear Elements

  • Vertical lines serve to:

    • Commemorate significant events.

    • Establish particular points in space.

    • Define a transparent volume of space.

Imagined Elements of Lines

  • A line can be imagined rather than visible using landmarks or building features.

  • Architectural space can be linear in form with buildings designed around linear concepts.

Small Scale Articulation

  • On a smaller scale, lines articulate edges and surfaces of planes and volumes.

  • The effect of linear elements on texture depends on visual weight, spacing, and direction (example: Crown Hall, Illinois Institute of Technology).

From Lines to Planes

  • Two parallel lines can describe a plane.

  • The closer the lines, the stronger the sense of the plane they convey.

  • The repetitiveness reinforces the perception of a plane.

  • As lines extend, they solidify the implication of a plane.

Linear Elements Defining Planes

  • A row of columns supporting an entablature (colonnade) defines the facade of a building, providing:

    • Entry points

    • Shelter

    • Unity among individual building forms.

Functions of a Colonnade

  • Creates definition for:

    • Penetrable boundaries of spatial zones.

    • Edges of an exterior space defined within the mass of a building.

    • Edges of a building mass in space.

    • Moderate enclosure for outdoor spaces.

    • A volume of space.

Plane & Planar Elements

Definitions and Characteristics of a Plane

  • A line extended in a non-intrinsic direction becomes a plane.

  • A Plane:

    • Has length and width but no depth.

    • Shape is defined by the contour of the line forming its edges.

    • Surface color, pattern, and texture affect visual weight.

  • The properties of each plane, such as size, shape, color, and texture determine visual attributes and qualities of enclosed space.

Manipulation of Planes in Architectural Design

  • Three generic types of planes are manipulated in architectural design:

    • Overhead Plane:

    • Acts as either roof or ceiling plane.

    • Wall Plane:

    • Vital for shaping and enclosing spaces, active in field of vision.

    • Base Plane:

    • Serves as physical foundation or visual base (ground or floor plane).

Base Plane as the Ground Plane

  • Supports all architectural construction; its topographical character influences building form.

  • Buildings may merge with, rest on, or be elevated above the base plane.

Base Plane as the Floor Plane

  • The horizontal element that sustains gravity.

  • Texture and density of flooring influence acoustical quality and feel while using it.

Wall Plane as Exterior Walls

  • Isolate space to create controlled interior environments.

  • Mold interior space while defining external space and describing building form and image.

Wall Plane as Interior Walls

  • Governs size and shape of internal spaces.

  • Visual properties and relationships influence quality and interrelation of spaces.

  • Can act as a passive backdrop or assert visually through form, color, or texture.

Doorways & Windows

  • Re-establish continuity with neighboring spaces.

  • Allow passage for light, heat, and sound.

  • As openings increase in size, they erode a sense of enclosure.

Overhead Plane as the Ceiling Plane

  • Usually visually significant and often out of reach.

  • It may express structure or serve as a passive surface.

  • Functions as a repository for artistic expressions or the primary sheltering element.

Overhead Plane as the Roof Plane

  • Essential for climate protection of building interiors.

  • Influences form and silhouette of a building.

Volume & Volumetric Elements

Definitions and Characteristics of Volume

  • A Volume:

    • Can be a solid (space displaced by mass) or void (space enclosed by planes).

    • Has three dimensions (length, width, depth).

  • Analyzed to consist of points or vertices, lines or edges, and planes or surfaces.

Form

Characteristics of Form

  • Form is the primary identifying characteristic of a volume determined by the shapes and interrelationships of the planes.

  • A volume can be:

    • Solid: space displaced by mass.

    • Void: space defined by wall, floor, and ceiling/roof planes.

  • Building Forms:

    • Can occupy volumes in space or act as containers.

Break

  • "Rest easy, and rest well." (Pause for a short break)

Form & the Properties of Form

Internal Structure & External Outline

  • Suggests unity to the whole.

Form Characteristics and Definitions

Types of Form

  • Inclusive term encompassing multiple meanings:

    • External appearance

    • Particular condition/manifestation in art/design

    • Manner of arrangement

    • Coordination of elements

    • Parts of its composition

Visual Properties of Form

  • Shape: Characteristic outline of a particular form.

  • Size: Physical dimensions.

  • Color: Influences light and visual perception.

  • Texture: Visual and tactile quality of a surface.

Relational Properties

  • Position: Location relative to environment.

  • Orientation: Direction relative to ground plane.

  • Visual Inertia: Degree of concentration and stability of form.

Viewing Conditions Affecting Properties

  • Conditions such as:

    • Changing perspective or angle of view.

    • Distance from a form.

    • Lighting conditions.

    • Surrounding visual field.

Shape

Definitions and Significance

  • Shape:

    • Characteristic outline of a plane figure or surface configuration of a volumetric form.

    • Primary means of recognizing, identifying, and categorizing figures/forms.

  • In architecture, shapes are pertinent to:

    • Floor, wall, and ceiling planes.

    • Door and window openings.

    • Silhouettes and contours of building forms.

Simplicity in Shape Listening

  • The mind simplifies the visual environment to grasp it.

  • Simpler and more regular shapes are easier to perceive and understand.

Primary Shapes

Types of Primary Shapes

  • Circle:

    • Plane curve with every point equidistant from a fixed point.

    • Centralized and stable figure; reinforces inherent centrality.

  • Triangle:

    • Plane figure bounded by three sides, symbolizing stability when resting on one side.

  • Square:

    • Plane figure having four equal sides; represents pure and rational forms.

Surfaces

Definitions and Types of Surfaces

  • Surfaces:

    • Figure with two dimensions (plane).

    • Can refer to curved faces defining three-dimensional spaces.

  • Different Types of Curved Surfaces:

    • Cylindrical Surfaces: Generated by sliding a straight line along a plane curve.

    • Translational Surfaces: Generated by sliding a plane curve along a straight line or variable curves.

    • Ruled Surfaces: Motion of a straight line.

    • Rotational Surfaces: Rotating a plane curve about an axis.

    • Paraboloids: With all plane intersections as either parabolas or ellipses.

    • Hyperbolic Paraboloids: Parabola sliding with downward curvature along one with upward curvature.

Saddle Surfaces

  • Surfaces with upward curvature in one direction and downward in the perpendicular direction.

    • Upward Curvature: Cable structure.

    • Downward Curvature: Arch-like action.

Curved Surfaces

  • Exhibit fluid quality contrasting angular forms.

    • Symmetrical Curved Surfaces: (Domes, barrel vaults) are stable;

    • Asymmetrical Curved Surfaces: More expressive in nature.

Primary Solids

Definitions and Types of Primary Solids

  • Primary Solids:

    • Distinct, regular, and easily recognizable three-dimensional figures.

    • Key primary solids include:

    • Sphere: Revolutions of semicircle around diameter; equidistant from center.

    • Cylinder: Revolutions of rectangle about a side; stable on circular bases.

    • Cone: Revolutions of right triangle about a side; stable on its circular base.

    • Pyramid: Polygonal bases and triangular faces meeting at a vertex.

    • Cube: Prismatic solid with six equal square sides.

Regular and Irregular Forms

Definitions

  • Regular Forms: Parts related and consistent, typically stable and symmetrical.

  • Irregular Forms: Asymmetrical, dynamic, parts dissimilar, can result from addition or subtraction of elements.

Quote on Beauty

  • "Beauty is the harmony of purpose and form." - Alvar Aalto, 1898-1976

Recommended Media

  • Pages 1-53, Architecture: Form, Space, & Order, 4th Edition, D.K. Ching.

  • Pages 51-78, Introduction to Architecture, D.K. Ching.

  • The Point as focus and connection in Architecture, Medium.com, Juan Tapias.

  • This city concept breaks architecture [THE LINE], Youtube.com, DamiLee.