Structure, Form, and Architecture: The Synergy

Lecture 02: Relationship of Structure to Architectural Buildings

Part-I
DR. SHUBHAJIT SADHUKHAN
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING

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Introduction
Structure:
“…the part of a building that resists the loads that are imposed on it”

Building:
“…an envelope that encloses and subdivides space in order to create a
protected environment”

Source: https://www.dictionary.com/

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Introduction
• Foundation
• Floor Slab
• Wall
• Beam
• Column

Structural Components of Building Source: http://www.understandconstruction.com/concrete-frame-structures.html

Varies from a very Simple to a
very Complex structure

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Introduction

Igloo Source: https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-igloo.htm Tepee Source: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/tepee-in-the-desert-

barbara-zahno.html

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Burj Al Arab Source: https://www.businessinsider.in/I-didnt-think-the-1-billion-hotel-considered-the- Source: http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/burj-al-arab/402
Dubai most-luxurious-in-the-world-could-possibly-live-up-to-the-hype-I-was-very-wrong-
/articleshow/67235572.cms

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Beijing New Airport under Construction Source: https://travelupdate.boardingarea.com/the-new-beijing-airport-what-to-expect-beijing-daxing/
China

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The Process
• Articulation of Space though application of Art,
Science and Technology

• An integration between Idea, Technology, and

Control

• Fulfilling the Requirements

• Satisfying the needs and Desire of End Users

Source: Ching , Francis D. K., 2015

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Key Points
• Space Availability
• Requirement
• Constraint
• Purpose
• Concept
• Available Tools Alternative Solutions Suitability Assessment
• Technology
• Resources
• Materials
• Execution
• Maintenance
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Concept & its Importance in Architecture
Concept refers to the essential formative scheme, idea, or basic
organizing principle of a building design . . . A strong initial idea is
valuable because design decisions can be imprinted by it and then relate to
it (or even express it), thereby ensuring coherence among all elements of a
project . . . When design decisions are less arbitrary, i.e., they are informed
by the concept, the architecture becomes greater, more powerful, and
meaningful…. Pressman, A. (2012)
Source: A. Pressman, Designing architecture: the elements of process, London: Routledge, 2012, p. 23.

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Architectural CONCEPTS & Structures
✓ ORDER–CHAOS

✓ STABILITY–INSTABILITY

✓ STATIC–DYNAMIC

✓ GROUNDED–FLOATING

Source: Charleson, A, (2015)

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Architectural Concepts & Structures Structural Configuration varies from Order(a) through to Chaos(d)

ORDER–CHAOS

Source: Structure as Architecture by Charleson, A. (2015)

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
ORDER–CHAOS
Structural ORDER in a
rectangular form

Parthenon, 447 – 432 B.C.E., Athens

Source: https://smarthistory.org/greek-architectural-orders/

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
ORDER–CHAOS
Structural ORDER in a
circular form

Parliament House, India

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/at-60-
parliament-worried-over-frequent-
disruptions/article3415340.ece

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
ORDER–CHAOS
Structural CHAOS in an
oval form

Bird Nest Olympic Stadium,

Beijing
Source: http://www.beijingholiday.com/photo/national-
stadium-photos.html

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
ORDER–CHAOS
Structural CHAOS in
exterior and interior

Michael Lee-Chin Crystal,

Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto, Canada
Source:
https://www.bluffton.edu/homepages/fac
staff/sullivanm/canada/toronto/libeskind
/rom.html

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Architectural Concepts & Structures Structural Configuration varies from Stability(a) through to Instability(d)

STABILITY–INSTABILITY

Source: Structure as Architecture by Charleson, A. (2015)

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
STABILITY–INSTABILITY
Space-frame roof supported by concrete frames
conveying a sense of STABILITY

Law Courts, Vancouver

Source: https://vancouversun.com/opinion/opinion-chief-justice-tells-it-like-it-is

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
STABILITY–INSTABILITY
Domical roof on periodic columns and walls create
the sense of STABILITY

Pantheon, Rome
Source: https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Skip-the-Line-Colosseum-and-Ancient-
Rome-Small-Group-Walking-Tour-Including-Pantheon-and-Piazza-Navona/d511-21468P1

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
STABILITY–INSTABILITY
A lack of vertical and horizontal support creates a
sense of structural INSTABILITY

Forum Barcelona Solar Plant

Source: https://structurae.net/photos/71702-forum-barcelona-solar-plant

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
STABILITY–INSTABILITY
A lack of vertical supports creates a sense of
structural INSTABILITY

ReActor, New York

Source: https://www.arch2o.com/reactor-a-stunning-piece-of-performance-architecture/

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Architectural Concepts & Structures Structural Configuration varies from Static(a) to Dynamic(d)

STATIC–DYNAMIC

Source: Structure as Architecture by Charleson, A. (2015)

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
STATIC–DYNAMIC
Up straight grid structure creates a sense of
STATIC form of structure

HYATT Regency, Kolkata

Source: http://wikimapia.org/93375/Hyatt-Regency-Kolkata

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
STATIC–DYNAMIC
Use of basic geometry,
position and scale create a
sense of STATIC form of
structure

IIM Ahmedabad, India

Source: https://www.aftergraduation.co.in/iim-
ahmedabad-food-agri-business-management-program-
ranked-number-1-world/

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
STATIC–DYNAMIC
Use smooth curves, flow and transition
create a sense of DYNAMIC form of
structure

The Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan

Source: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/zaha-hadid-greatest-
works-slideshow

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
STATIC–DYNAMIC
Use of smooth curves, flow and
transition create a sense of DYNAMIC
form of structure

Barajas Airport Terminal, Madrid

Source: http://architectuul.com/architecture/barajas-airport

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Architectural Concepts & Structures Structural Configuration varies from Grounded to Floating

GROUNDED–FLOATING

Different degrees of grounded Structures

Reducing the sense of grounding structure

Source: Structure as Architecture by Charleson, A. (2015)

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
GROUNDED–FLOATING
The undulating slab is GROUNDED at the discrete
places

The Rolex Learning Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland

Source: https://www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/P10671/the-rolex-learning-center

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
GROUNDED–FLOATING
Arrangement of elements with the nature
and land create the sense of GROUNDED
structure

The Glass House, Connecticut

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_House

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
GROUNDED–FLOATING
The large supported volume on shallow
vertical structure contrasts with the
create a sense of FLOATING structure

Gas Natural Headquarters, Barcelona

Source:
https://www.reddit.com/r/architecture/comments/62046j/gas_natural_
headquarters_in_barcelona_spain/

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Architectural Concepts & Structures
GROUNDED–FLOATING
Narrow column and gap near ground level lessens
the physical and visual connection of superstructure
to the foundations and resulting a sense of
FLOATING structure

Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/mies-van-der-rohe-edith-farnsworth-177988

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Summary

• Synergy between Forms and Structural elements is essential to bring the

Concepts into real-world Architecture

• Concepts of architectural design to be supported with appropriate Structural

Form

• Materials play crucial role to make the structure stable and durable as per the
need

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Further Reading
• Salvadori, M and Heller,R. A., 1986, Structure in Architecture, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall

• Schodek, D. and Bechthold, M., 2013, Structures,7th ed., Prentice Hall

• Charleson, A. W., 2005, Structure as Architecture, 1st ed., Elsevier

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Lecture 03: Relationship of Structure to Architectural Buildings
Part-II

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Thank You

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