UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO

College of Architecture and Fine Arts Education

BS Architecture Program

Physically Distanced but Academically Engaged

Self-Instructional Manual (SIM) for Self-Directed Learning

(SDL)

Course/Subject: AR 114 – Theory of Architecture 1

Name of Teacher: Ar. Renato C. Pareñas

THIS SIM-SDL MANUAL IS A DRAFT VERSION ONLY; NOT FOR

REPRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE OF ITS INTENDED
USE. THIS IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE STUDENTS
WHO ARE OFFICIALLY ENROLLED IN THE COURSE/SUBJECT.
EXPECT REVISIONS OF THE MANUAL.
NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE.
Contents
Course Outline: AR114 – Theory of Architecture 1 .....................................................................................3
Course Outline Policy..................................................................................................................................3
Online Code of Conduct ..............................................................................................................................6
Big Picture 1 ................................................................................................................................................8
ULO-a. Define Theory and Architecture ..................................................................................................8
ULO-b. Identify the primary elements of design ....................................................................................13

Page 2 of 21
Course Outline: AR114 – Theory of Architecture 1

Course Facilitator: Ar. Renato C. Pareñas

Email: renato_parenas@umindanao.edu.ph
Student Consultation: Done online (LMS) or thru text, emails or calls
Mobile: 0923-743-2840
Phone of CAFAE Office: (82) 3050646 local 109
Effectivity Date: August 17, 2020
Mode of Delivery: Blended (On-Line with face to face or virtual sessions)
Time Frame: 128 Hours
Student Workload: Expected Self-Directed Learning
Pre-requisites: None
Credit: 2
Attendance A minimum of 95% attendance is required at all
Requirements: scheduled virtual or face to face sessions.

Course Outline Policy

Areas of Concern Details

Contact and Non-contact Hours
Assessment Task Submission
This 3-unit course self-instructional manual is designed
for blended learning mode of instructional delivery with
scheduled face to face or virtual sessions. The
expected number of hours will be 54 including virtual
the face to face or sessions. The face to face sessions
shall include the summative assessment tasks (exams)
because this course is crucial in the Architects
Licensure Examination (ALE).
Submission of assessment tasks shall be on 3rd, 5th, 7th
and 9th week of the semester. The assessment paper
shall be attached with a cover page indicating the
following: (a) title of the assessment task (if the task is
performance-based), (b) the name of the course
coordinator, (c) date of submission, and (d) name of the
student. The document should be emailed to the course
coordinator. It is also expected that you already paid
your tuition and other fees before the submission of the
assessment task.

If the assessment task is done in real time through the

features in the Blackboard Learning Management
System (LMS), the schedule shall be arranged ahead
of time by the course coordinator.

Page 3 of 21
 Since this course is included in ALE, you will be required
to take the Multiple-Choice Question exam inside the
University. This should be scheduled ahead of time by
your course coordinator. This is non-negotiable for all
licensure-based programs. *This provision is contingent
to the relevant community quarantine guidelines that are
imposed during the period of exam.
Plagiarism Check To ensure honesty and authenticity, all assessment
tasks are required to be submitted through Turnitin or
SafeAssign. This means that if the paper goes beyond
30%, the students will either opt to redo the paper or
explain in writing addressed to the course coordinator
the reasons for such similarity rating. In addition, the
student may be called for a disciplinary action in
accordance with the University’s Operation and
Procedures Manual (OPM) on Intellectual and
Academic Honesty.

Please note that academic dishonesty such as cheating

and commissioning other students or people to
complete the task for you have severe punishments
(reprimand, warning, expulsion).

Penalties for Late The score for an assessment item submitted after the
Assignments/Assessments designated time on the due date, without an approved
extension of time, will be reduced by 5% of the possible
maximum score for that assessment item for each day
or part day that the assessment item is late.

However, if the late submission of assessment paper

has a valid reason, a letter of explanation should be
submitted and approved by the course coordinator. If
necessary, you will also be required to present/attach
documentary evidence.
Return of Assignments/ Assessment tasks will be returned to you two weeks
Assessments after the submission. This will be returned by email or
via Blackboard portal.

For group assessment tasks, the course coordinator will

require some of the students for online or virtual
sessions to ask clarificatory questions to validate the
originality of the assessment task submitted and to
ensure that all the group members are involved.
Assignment Resubmission You should request in writing addressed to the course
coordinator his/her intention to resubmit an assessment
task. The resubmission is premised on the student’s
failure to comply with the similarity index and other
reasonable grounds such as academic literacy
standards or other reasonable circumstances e.g.
illness, accidents financial constraints.

Page 4 of 21
Re-marking of Assessment
Papers and Appeal
Grading System
Preferred Referencing Style
Student Communication
You should request in writing addressed to the course
coordinator your intention to appeal or contest the score
given to an assessment task. The letter should explicitly
explain the reasons/points to contest the grade. The
course coordinator shall communicate with the students
on the approval and disapproval of the request.
If disapproved by the course coordinator, you can
elevate your case to the program head or the dean with
the original letter of request. The final decision will
come from the dean of the college.
All culled from BlackBoard sessions and traditional
contact
Course discussions/exercises : 30%
1st formative assessment : 10%
2nd formative assessment : 10%
3rd formative assessment : 10%
All culled from on-campus/onsite sessions (TBA)*:
Final exam : 40%
Submission of the final grades shall follow the usual
university system and procedures.
*contingent on the community quarantine guidelines
at the period
Harvard. You may visit the site below.
https://libguides.mq.edu.au/referencing/Harvard
You are required to have a umindanao email account.
This is required to access the BlackBoard portal. If
you have concerns regarding this accounts, email to
blackboardclass@umindanao.edu.ph. If all else fail,
promptly take this up with your course coordinator.
Then, the course coordinator shall enroll their
respective students to their Blackboard courses. With
this the student will be able to access the materials and
resources of the course. All communication formats:
chat, submission of assessment tasks, requests, etc.
shall be made through this portal and other university
recognized platforms.
*You can also meet the course coordinator in person
through the scheduled face to face sessions to raise
your issues and concerns.
Page 5 of 21
 Contact Details of the Dean
Contact Details of the Program
Head
Students with Special Needs
Online Tutorial Registration
Contact details of the Head of
Guidance Services and Testing
Center (GSTC)
Contact details of the GSTC
CAFAE Facilitator - Help Desk
Contact details of Library
Ar. Iluminado D. Quinto Jr.
Email: iluminadoquinto@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: (+63) 9432477579
Ar. Camilo P. Quibod
Email: camiloquibod@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: (+63) 9236240588
Students with special needs shall communicate with the
course coordinator about the nature of his or her
special needs. Depending on the nature of the need,
the course coordinator with the approval of the program
head may provide alternative assessment tasks or
extension of the deadline of submission of assessment
tasks. However, the alternative assessment tasks
should still be in the service of achieving the desired
course learning outcomes.
You are required to enroll in a specific tutorial time for
this course via consultation with the course coordinator.
Send your coordinator an email about this concern.
Please note that there is a deadline for enrollment to
the tutorial.
Dr. Ronadora E. Deala
Email: ronadora_deala@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: (+63) 9212122846
Ms. Patricia Karyl N. Ambrosio
Email: gstcmain@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: (+63) 9663317365
Ms. Brigida E. Bacani
Email: library@umindanao.edu.ph
Phone: (+63) 9513766681

Online Code of Conduct

1. All students are expected to abide by an honor, code of conduct, and thus everyone and all are
exhorted to exercise self management and self-regulation.
2. All students are likewise guided by professional conduct as learners in attending OBD or DED courses.
Any breach and violation shall be dealt with properly under existing guidelines, specifically in Section
7 (Student Discipline) in the Student Handbook.
3. Professional conduct refers to the embodiment and exercise of the University’s Core Values,
specifically in the adherence to intellectual honesty and integrity; academic excellence by giving due
diligence in virtual class participation in all lectures and activities, as well as fidelity in doing and
submitting performance tasks and assignments; personal discipline in complying with all deadlines;
and observance of data privacy.
4. Plagiarism is a serious intellectual crime and shall be dealt with accordingly. The University shall
institute monitoring mechanisms online to detect and penalize plagiarism.
5. Students shall independently and honestly take examinations and do assignments, unless
collaboration is clearly required or permitted. Students shall not resort to dishonesty to improve the
result of their assessments (e.g. examinations, assignments).
6. Students shall not allow anyone else to access their personal LMS account.
7. Students shall not post or share their answers, assignment or examinations to others to further
academic fraudulence online.
8. By enrolling in OBD or DED courses, students agree and abide by all the provisions of the Online Code
of Conduct, as well as all the requirements and protocols in handling online courses.

Page 6 of 21
Course Information – see/download course syllabus in the Blackboard LMS

CF’s Voice: Hello future architect! Welcome to this course AR114: Theory of
Architecture 1. By now, I am certain that you really wanted to become
an architect and that you have visualized yourself already being in your
private firm, or a design or construction firm, or any office quite related
to the practice of the architectural profession.

CO As you know already, there are numerous inputs to an architectural

design. One of which is to be able to design according to the various
thories of notable architects, elements, principles and perceptions of
designs. Architects should explain knowledge of the elements of design
by relating architecture to other art forms. Analyze the broader issues of
architectural design processes, assess proxemics requirements of
various spaces and its relation to environmental and cultural factors and
utilize various history and planning theories to ecology and sustainable
development. This course introduced the student of architecture to form
and space and the principles that guide their ordering in the built
environment. Knowledge and skills that are gained in this course are
meant to be integrated with what have been gained from the other
courses.

Let us begin!

Page 7 of 21
Big Picture 1
Week 1-3: Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO): At the end of the unit, you are expected to
a. Define Theory and Architecture.
b. Identify the primary elements.

Big Picture in Focus:

ULO-a. Define Theory and Architecture

Metalanguage
1. Theory – refers to contemplation or speculation, as opposed to action. Analysis of a set of fact in
relation to one another. It also defined as an act of thinking, discussing, or most importantly writing
about architecture.
2. Architecture – The art and science of designing and constructing buildings.
3. Art – The conscious use of skill, craft, and creative imagination in the production of what is beautiful,
appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
4. Science – A branch of knowledge dealing with a body of facts or truths obtained by direct observation,
experimental investigation, and methodical study, systematically arranged and showing the operation
of general laws.
5. Architectural Systems – conceptual model that defines the structure, behavior, and more views of a
system.
6. Architectural Orders – created when the organization of parts makes visible
their relationships to each other and the structure as a whole.
7. Architectural Design Processes – A purposeful activity aimed at devising a plan for changing an
existing situation into a future preferred state.
8. Primary Elements - presents the primary elements of form in the order of
their growth from the point to a one-dimensional line, from the line to a twodimensional plane, and from
the plane to a three-dimensional volume. Each
element is first considered as a conceptual element, then as a visual element
in the vocabulary of architectural design.
9. Point - indicates a position in space.
10. Line - A point extended becomes a line with a properties of length, direction, position.
11. Plane – A line extended becomes a plane with properties of length and width, shape, surface,
orientation, position.
12. Volume – A plane extended becomes a volume with properties of length, width and depth, form and
space, surface, orientation, position.
Essential Knowledge
To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the first three (3) weeks of the course,
you need to fully understand the following essential knowledge are laid down in the succeeding pages.
Please note that you are not limited to exclusively refer to these resources. Thus, you are expected to
utilize other books, research articles and other resources that are available in the university’s library. Visit
http://library.umindanao.edu.ph/ Click “online databases” tab and scroll down and click Proquest Ebook
Central. You should take time to make an account or sign in if you already have. Search for the book by
entitled Architecture: Form, Space and Order.

You may click the link below for the reference.

https://www.google.com/search?ei=WJk8X6qJEsSUr7wPp4mN2As&q=architecture+form+space+and+o
rder+4th+edition+pdf&oq=architecture+form+&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgCMgUILhCTAjICCAAyAggA
MgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADoECAAQQzoKCC4QxwEQowIQQzoICAAQsQMQgwE
6BQgAELEDOgUILhCxAzoCCC46CggAELEDEIMBEEM6DgguELEDEIMBEMcBEKMCOggILhCxAxCD
AToICAAQsQMQkQI6BQgAEJECOggILhCRAhCTAjoFCC4QkQI6BAgAEApQwZxNWJPCTWDZ2E1oA
HAAeACAAZACiAHvG5IBBjAuMTMuNZgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrAAQE&sclient=psy-ab

Page 8 of 21
1. What is Theory? Is an abstract thought or speculation resulting in a system of assumption or
principles used in analyzing, explaining, or predicting phenomena, and proposed or followed as
a basis of action.
2. Types of Theory: Descriptive and Prescriptive
a. Descriptive Theory – simply explains events or phenomena.
b. Prescriptive Theory - prescribe the guidelines.
3. Architecture - comes from the Greek word “arkhitekton” means Master Builder. The practice of
an architect, where architecture means to offer or render professional services in connection with
the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site
surrounding the buildings, that have as their principal purpose human occupancy or use. You may
click the link for a video presentation about “So you want to be an architect Part 6 of the series”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TBMnnzWZiI&list=PL5A9879BE9107C47A&index=6.
Architecture is the ART and SCIENCE of DESIGNING and CONSTRUCTING BUILDINGS. Art
covers the Environmental Design, Urban Design, City Planning, Interior Design, and Space
Planning. On the other hand, Science covers the Engineering, Behavioural Science, Sociology,
Anthropology, and Landscape Architecture.
4. Architectural Systems and Orders - In order to place this study in proper context, the following
is an overview of the basic elements, systems, and orders that constitute a work of architecture.
All of these constituents can be perceived and experienced. Some may be readily apparent while
others are more obscure to our intellect and senses. Some may dominate while others play a
secondary role in a building’s organization. Some may convey images and meaning while others
serve as qualifiers or modifiers of these messages.
A. ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS:
Ø The Architecture of space, structure & enclosure – talks about the organizational
pattern, relationships, hierarchy of spaces. Formal image and spatial desinition.
Qualities of shape, color, texture, scale, proportion. Qualities of surface, edges, and
openings.
Ø Experienced through movement in space & time - covers covers the approach & entry.
Path configuration and access. Sequence of spaces and Light, view, touch, hearing,
and smell.
Ø Achieved by means of technology - pertains to the structure & enclosure.
Environmental protection and comfort. Health, safety, and welfare and durability.
Ø Accommodates a program – relates to user requirements, needs, and aspirations.
Socio-cultural factors, economic factors, legal restraints and historic tradition and
precedents.
Ø Compatible with its context – concerned with the site and environment, climate,
geography, and sensory and cultural characteristics of the place.

VILLA SAVOYE
Poissy, east of Paris
Le Corbusier

This graphic analysis will

illustrate the way architecture
embodies the harmonious
integration of interacting and
interrelated parts into a complex
and unifies whole.

Page 9 of 21
SPATIAL SYSTEM STRUCTRAL SYSTEM ENCLOSURE SYSTEM CIRCULATION SYSTEM

CONTEXT

I. SPATIAL SYSTEM
The three-dimensional integration of program elements and spaces
accommodates the multiple functions and relationships of a house.

II. STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

A grid of columns support horizontal beams and slabs.
The cantilever acknowledges the direction of approach along the longitudinal
axis.

III. ENCLOSURE SYSTEM

Four exterior wall planes define a rectangular volume that contains the program
elements and spaces.

IV. CIRCULATION SYSTEM

The stair and ramp penetrate and link the three levels, and heighten the viewer’s
perception of forms in space and light. The curved form of the entrance foyer
reflects the movement of the automobile.

V. CONTEXT
A simple exterior form wraps around a complex interior organization of forms
and spaces. Elevating the main floor provides a better view and avoids the

Page 10 of 21
 humidity of the ground. A garden terrace distributes sunlight to the spaces
gathered around it.
B. ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS:
¨ Physical
Ø Form & Space
§ Solids & Voids
§ Interior & Exterior
§ Systems & Organizations
• Space
• Structure
• Enclosure
• Machines

¨ Perceptual
Ø Sensory perception & recognition of physical elements
§ Approach & Departure
§ Entry & Egress
§ Movement through the order of spaces
§ Functioning of & activities within spaces
§ Qualities of light, color, texture, view, & sound.

¨ Conceptual
Ø Comprehension of the ordered/diordered relationships among building elements
and systems
§ Images
§ Patterns
§ Signs
§ Context
• Space
• Form
• Function
• Technics

5. Design Process
There are six (6) design phases:
ü Initiation – identifying a problem and its social, economic, and physical context.
ü Preparation – collecting and alnalyzing relevant information and establishing goals and
criteria for an acceptable solution.
ü Synthesis – discovering constraints and opportunities, and hypothesizing possible
alternative solutions.
ü Evaluation – simulating, testing, and modifying acceptable alternatives according to
specified goals and criteria.
ü Action – selecting and implementing the most suitable solution.
ü Reevaluation – assessing how well an implemented solution in use satisfies the specified
goals and criteria.

Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you further
understand the lesson

1. Ching, DK., 2015, Architecture Form, Space & Form, Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons,
Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Page 11 of 21
 2. ARQUITECTURAYEMPRESA, 2016, Le Corbusier: Villa Savoye, The five points of architecture.
Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1womjgDI_I, Accessed Aug. 20, 2020.
Let’s Check

Let’s Analyze

In a nutshell

Q&A List
This section allows the students to list down all emerging questions or issues. These questions or issues
shall be raised in the LMS (e.g. forum) or other modes. The course facilitator will publish the questions
and the students contribute their answers. The teacher will go over the inputs of the students and make a
closure. This activity helps the review of concepts and essential knowledge.

Questions/ Issues Answer

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Keywords Index
Theory Spatial system Conceptual Synthesis
Architecture Structural system Perceptual Evaluation
Descriptive Enclosure system Design Process Action
Prescriptive Circulation system Design Reevaluation
Architectural System Context Iniation
Orders Physical Preparation

Page 12 of 21
 Big Picture in Focus:
ULO-b. Identify the primary elements of design

Metalanguage
1. Primary Elements - presents the primary elements of form in the order of
their growth from the point to a one-dimensional line, from the line to a twodimensional plane, and
from the plane to a three-dimensional volume. Each
element is first considered as a conceptual element, then as a visual element
in the vocabulary of architectural design.
2. Point - indicates a position in space.
3. Line - A point extended becomes a line with a properties of length, direction, position.
4. Plane – A line extended becomes a plane with properties of length and width, shape, surface,
orientation, position.
5. Volume – A plane extended becomes a volume with properties of length, width and depth, form
and space, surface, orientation, position.

Essential Knowledge
To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcomes) for the first three (3) weeks of the course,
you need to fully understand the following essential knowledge are laid down in the succeeding pages.
Please note that you are not limited to exclusively refer to these resources. Thus, you are expected to
utilize other books, research articles and other resources that are available in the university’s library. Visit
http://library.umindanao.edu.ph/ Click “online databases” tab and scroll down and click Proquest Ebook
Central. You should take time to make an account or sign in if you already have. Search for the book by
entitled Architecture: Form, Space and Order. Chapter 1 of this book.

1. Primary Elements - Each element is first

considered as a conceptual element, then as
a visual element in the vocabulary of
architectural design. When made visible to
the eye or paper or in three dimensional
space, these elements become form with
characteristics of substance, shape, size,
color, and texture.

A. POINT – it marks a position in space. Conceptually, it has no length, width, or depth, and is
therefore static , centralized, and directionless. As the prime element in the vocabulary of form, a
point can serve to mark :

Page 13 of 21
 ü The two ends of a line
ü The intersection of two lines
ü Meeting of the lines at the corner of a plane or
volume; and
ü The center of a field
A point has no
dimension. To visibly
mark a position in a
space or non the
ground plane, a point
must be projected
vertically into a linear
form, as column,
obelisk, or tower. Any
such columnar element is seen in plan as a point and therefore
retains te visual characteristics of a point.

Example:

PIAZZA DEL CAMPIDOGLIO

Rome. Michaelangelo
Buonarroti

The equestrian statue of

Marcus Aurelius marks the
center of this urban space.

TWO-POINTS – two points describe a line that connects them. Two points further suggest an axis
perpendicular to the line they describe and about which they are symmetrical.

THE NATIONAL MALL

Washington D.C.

This lies along the axis established by

Lincoln Memorial, the Washington
Monument, and the United States
Capitol Building.

Page 14 of 21
B. LINE – An extended point. Conceptually, a line has length, but
no width or depth. It is capable of visually expressing direction,
movement, and growth. A line can serve to:
ü Join, support, surround, or intersect other visual elements.
ü Describe the edges of and give shape to planes; and
ü Articulate the surfaces of planes.

LINEAR ELEMENTS – Vertical linear elements, such as columns,

obelisks, and towers, have been used throughout history to
commemorate significant events and establish particular points in
space.

Example:
MENHIR
A prehistoric monument
consisting of an upright
megalith, usually standing
alone but sometimes alignd
with others.

SELIM MOSQUE
Edime, Turkey
Vertical linear elements can
also define a transparent
volume of space.

Linear members that possess the necessary material strength can perform
structural functions.
In this examples, linear elements :
ü Express movement across space
ü provide support for an overhead plane;
and
ü form a three-dimensional structural
frame for architectural space

SALGINATOBEL BRIDGE
Switzerland. Robert Maillart
In this example, linear elements express
movement across space.

Page 15 of 21
 CARYATID PORCH, THE ERECHTHEION
Athens. Mnesicles

An example showing linear elements providing support for an

overhead plane.
The sculptured female figures stand as columnar supports for the
entablature.

C. PLANE – An
extended line in a direction other than its intrinsic direction.
Conceptually, a plane has length and width, but no depth.

Shape is the preliminary identifying characteristic of a

plane. It is determined by the contour of the line forming the
edges of a plane. Becauseour perception of shape can be
distorted by perspective foreshortening, we see the true
shape of a plane only when we view it frontally.

The supplementary properties of a plane- its surface,

color, pattern, and texture affect its visual weight and
stability.

PLANAR ELEMENTS
Planes in architecture define three-dimensional volumes of
mass and space. The properties of each
plane—size, shape, color, texture —as well as their spatial
relationship to one another ultimately determine the visual
attributes of the form they define and the qualities of the
space they enclose.

In architectural design, we manipulate three generics

Page 16 of 21
 1. OVERHEAD PLANE
The overhead plane can be either the roof plane that spans and shelters the interior spaces of a
building from the climatic elements, or the ceiling plane that forms the upper enclosing surface of
a room.
2. WALL PLANE
The wall plane, because of its vertical orientation, is active in our normal field of vision and vital to
the shaping and enclosure of architectural space.
3. BASE PLANE
The base plane can be either the ground plane that serves as the physical foundation and visual
base for building forms, or the floor plane that forms the lower enclosing surface of a room upon
which we walk.

EXAMPLES:

A. SCALA DE SPAGNA
(Spanish Steps) Rome. Alessandro Specchi

Along with the climate and other environmental conditions of

a site, the topographical character of the ground plane
influences the form of the building that rises from it.

B. MORTUARY TEMPLE
OF HATSHEPSUT
Der el-Bahari, Thebes.
Senmut

Three terraces approached by

ramps rise towards the base of
the cliffs where the chief A
sanctuary is cut deep into the
rock.

C. S. MARIA NOVELLA
B Florence, Italy. Alberti

As a design element, the plane

of an exterior wall can be
articulated as the front or
primary façade of a building.

D. ROBIE HOUSE
Chicago. Frank Lloyd Wright
C
The roof plane is the
essential sheltering element that protects the interior of
a building from the climatic elements.

Page 17 of 21
 D

E. FALLING WATER
(Kaufmann House) Pennsylvania. Frank Lloyd Wright

Reinforced concrete slabs express the horizotality of the

floor and roof planes as they cantilever outwarard from a central
vertical core

D. VOLUME – A plane extended in a direction other than

its intrinsic direction. Conceptually, a volume has three
dimensions: length, width, and depth.

All volumes can be analyzed and understood of.;

ü Points or vertices where
several planes come together;
ü Lines or edges where two planes meet; and
ü Planes or surfaces that define the limits or boundaries of a volume.

Form is the primary identifying characteristics of a volume. It is

established by shapes and interrelationships of the planes that describe
the boundaries of the volume.

VOLUMETRIC ELEMENTS – BULDING FORM that stands as objects in

the landscape can be read as occupying volumes in space.

PALAZZO THIENE
Vicenza, Italy. Andrea Palladio

Building forms that serve as containers can be read

as masses that define volumes of space. In this
structure, the interior rooms surround a cortile – the
principal courtyard of an Italian palazzo.

Page 18 of 21
 Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you further
understand the lesson

1. Ching, DK., 2015, Architecture Form, Space & Form, Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons,
Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
2. Arch Anime, 2018. Architecture form, Space, & Order. [Online] Available At: <
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VxDoVuURNE > [Accessed 20 August 2020]..
Let’s Check

Let’s Analyze

In a nutshell

Q&A List
This section allows the students to list down all emerging questions or issues. These questions or issues
shall be raised in the LMS (e.g. forum) or other modes. The course facilitator will publish the questions
and the students contribute their answers. The teacher will go over the inputs of the students and make a
closure. This activity helps the review of concepts and essential knowledge.

Questions/ Issues Answer

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Page 19 of 21
Keywords Index
Primary Elements Planar elements Form Volumetric element
Point Shape Column Two points
Line Overhead plane Façade Vertices l
Plane Wall plane Building form Edges
Volume Base plane Linear elements Surface

Page 20 of 21
Page 21 of 21