THEORY OF

ARCHITECTURE
2.1
 Design Elements
Design elements are the basic units of a
visual image. These elements include:

The 3 F's
• Form follows function is known as the 3
F's of Design. Form refers to what
something looks like, and function refers
to how it works.
 Elements of Art
1. Space
• May have 2 dimensions such as a floor
or it may have 3 dimensions .
• Space includes the background,
foreground and middle ground.
• Space refers to the distances or areas
around, between or within components
of a piece.
 Elements of Art
Space
• There are 2 types of space
–positive space refers to the space of a
shape representing the subject matter
–negative space refers to the space
around and between the subject
matter.
 Elements of Art
2. Line
• Line is the basic
element that
refers to the
continuous
movement of a
point along a
surface.
• The edges of
shapes and forms
also create lines.
 Elements of Art
Colour
• Color is seen either by the way light
reflects off a surface, or in colored light
sources.
• Color and particularly contrasting color is
also used to draw the attention to a
particular part of the image.
 Elements of Art
3. Shape
• A shape is defined as an area that stands
out from the space next to or around it due
to a defined or implied boundary, or
because of differences of value, color, or
texture.
• Shapes can also show perspective by
overlapping. They can be geometric or
organic.
• Shapes can be used to add interest, style,
theme to a design like a door.
 Elements of Art
4. Texture
• Texture is perceived surface quality.
• There are 2 types of texture:
– Tactile texture is the way the surface of an
object actually feels.
– Implied texture is the way the surface of an
object looks like it feels. The texture may
look rough, fizzy, gritty, but cannot actually
be felt.
 Elements of Art
5. Form
• Form is any 3-dimensional object. Form
can be measured, from top to bottom,
side to side, and from back to front.
• Form is also defined by light and dark.
• There are 2 types of form
– geometric (man-made)
– natural (organic form).
• Form may be created by the combining
of two or more shapes. It may be
enhanced by tone, texture and color. It
can be illustrated or constructed.
 Elements of Art
6. Value
• Value is an element of art that refers
to the relationship between light and
dark on a surface or object and also
helps with Form.
• It gives objects depth and
perception. Value is also referred to
as tone.
 Architectural Character
Architectural Character of a Building
has 3 basic characters:
• Functional Character
• Associated Character
• Personal Character
 Functional Character
• Every building has specific functions and is
made for specific broad purpose. The
internal planning is in co-ordination with
the exterior facade that tells us the
purpose of the building.
• The external appearance plays an
important role in determining the purpose
and the function of the structure.
buildings
 Functional Character
• Designing skylights instead of windows can
indicate a museum.
• Designing a long wall having numerous
windows in a particular order can also
indicate a museum.
• Designing tall and wide windows suggest a
library.
• Designing a symmetrical entrance to a
central block having a wide entrance to
express balance and rhythm indicates
public buildings
Abteirburg Museum (1972-1982)
Einstein Tower, Berlin, Germany (1908 - 1909 )
Corning Museum of Glass (1951-1978)
Kresge Museum (1950-1955)
Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art
Milwaukee Art Museum, Quadracci Pavilion (2001)
Norwegian Glacier Museum (1991)
San Francisco Modern Art Museum (1991)
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (1987)
Weisman Art Museum (1990)
 Associated Character
• The character of some buildings is
expressed through elements
associated with certain influences.
Such influences often go thousands
of years back in history and culture.
USA Supreme Court
(1935)
Washington National Cathedral (1990)
 Associated Character
• Cultural aspects play an important
role in determining the Associated
Character of a particular structure….
• We recognize a building by its
features, which we associate with a
particular structural style.
National Metropolitan Bank (1907)
Notre Dame du
Raincy (1922)
 Personal Character
Personal Character of a Building
• Characters in architecture is comparable
with the attributes of an individual. If a
building is designed in the proper spirit,
personal characteristics such as grace,
dignity and vitality can be expressed as
an integral part of the structure.
Transamerica Pyramid
(1969-1972)
The Tribune Tower (1925)
TWA Airport (1962)
 Personal Character
• Every building that is constructed for a
specific purpose has a specific form
which itself depicts its original function.
The inter-connection between the
interiors and the exterior of a building is
essential.
• The true style of a building reflects the
particular period in which it has been
built.
St. Mary’s Cathedral (1963)
Taliesin (1911-1925)
Team Disney Building (1989-1990)
Eugene City Hall (1960-1964)
Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi
Fountainbleau (1954)
 Personal Character
• Just like an
individual’s
personality is
made up of unique
qualities resulting
from a
combination of
genetic factors,
environment, and
upbringing, which
distinguishes a
person from
others.
Notre Dame du Haut
 Building Character
• Symbolism has
become a major
principle of
architecture. For
instance, The
structure of the
bank should be
such that it
should look
massive and
represent the
country’s financial
stability.
China Bank Tower (1982-1990)
Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (1979-1986)
 Building Character
• Usually civic
buildings are
designed such
that they
convey the
purpose for
which they are
built.
Tower of Philadelphia City Hall
(1901)
 Building Character
• All aesthetic
components, such as
unity, composition,
contrast and scale
together make up
the character of a
building. Character
also brings out the
utility and purpose
of a building.
Whether it is a bank
or a church or a
library, it should
possess an
appropriate
character.

Investment Building (1922)

 Environmental Psychology
• Environmental
psychology is an
interdisciplinary field
focused on the
interplay bet humans
& surroundings.
• The field encompasses
natural environments,
social settings, built
environments, learning
environments, and
informational
environments.
 Environmental Psychology
• When solving
problems involving
human-environment
interactions, one
must have a model
of human nature
that predicts the
environmental
conditions under
which humans will
behave in a decent
and creative manner.
 Environmental Psychology
• The field develops a model of human nature
while retaining a broad and inherently
multidisciplinary focus. It explores dissimilar
issues as common property resource mgmt,
wayfinding, the effect of environmental
stress on human performance, the
characteristics of restorative environments,
human information processing, and the
promotion of durable conservation
behavior.
 Environmental Psychology
• To understand and solve environmental problems,
environmental psychologists believe concepts and
principles should come directly from the physical
settings & problems being looked at. For example,
factors that reduce feelings of crowding within
buildings include:
– Windows - particularly ones that can be opened and ones
that provide a view as well as light
– High ceilings
– Doors to divide spaces (Baum and Davies) and provide
access control
– Room shape - square rooms feel less crowded than
rectangular ones (Dresor)
 Environmental Psychology
– Using partitions to create smaller, personalized
spaces within an open plan office or larger work
space.
– Providing increases in cognitive control over
aspects of the internal environment, such as
ventilation, light, privacy, etc.
– Conducting a cognitive appraisal of an environment
and feelings of crowding in different settings. For
example, one might be comfortable with crowding
at a concert but not in school corridors.
– Creating a defensible space (Calhoun)
 Sociology of Architecture
Describes the
sociological
study of either:
• the built
environment
• the role and
occupation of
architects in
societies
 Sociology of Architecture
• Architecture is
basically constituted
of the aesthetic, the
engineering and the
social aspects.
• The built
environment which is
made up of designed
spaces and the
activities of people
are inter-related and
inseparable.
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
• Perception of one's environment is affected
by sociological needs, psychological state, &
individual differences.
• The environment itself also influences human
behavior. Both mental and physical stimuli
affect behavioral responses.
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
4 Concepts
1. Privacy
2. Personal interaction levels
3. Territoriality
4. Crowding
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
1. Privacy -- is a central regulatory
human process by which persons
make themselves more or less
accessible to others.
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
2. Interaction levels is one mechanism used in
achieving a desired level of privacy.
• The size of a space determines perceptions,
experiences, and uses of that particular
environment.
• People inherently discern their relationship
with others in terms of distances, or spaces,
between them.
• Edward T. Hall defines 4 distinct distances @
which interpersonal transactions normally
take place. These are categorized as
intimate, personal, social, and public.
Public space is that area w/in which the individual does
not expect to have direct contact w/ others. The more
intimate the spatial relationship, the more people resist
intrusion by others. Personal space factors are
important in establishing privacy requirements for Public space
interior design.

Personal space

Social space
Intimate space

Social space is that area within which the individual expects to make purely
social contacts on a temporary basis.

Personal space is that area within which a person allows only select friends, or
fellow workers with whom personal conversation is mandatory.

Intimate space is that area immediately surrounding the individual’s body. This area is the
most private and involves both physical and emotional interactions.
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
3. Territoriality -- is a means of achieving
a desired level of privacy. It involves the
exclusive control of a space by an
individual or group.
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
4. Crowding occurs when personal space and
territoriality mechanisms are ineffective,
resulting in an excess of undesired external
social contact.
– People respond to crowding in different ways
depending upon the situation.
– Sometimes humans tolerate crowding though it
may be unpleasant, because they know it is only
temporary.
– In some situations crowding may be considered
desirable, it may even be sought after if it is
perceived as "part of the fun" or the expectation
within a social setting.
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
Psychological Human
Response
Responses to the
environment are
complex and best
understood in terms
of 3 psychological
stages of human
behavior:
perception,
cognition, and
spatial behavior.
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
Perception of the environment
refers to the process of becoming
aware of a space by the
acquisition of information
through the sensations of sight,
hearing, smell, touch, and taste.
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
Cognition is the mental processing
of this sensory information. This
may involve the activities of
thinking about, remembering, or
evaluating the information
 Human Behavior & Interior Envi
Spatial behavior refers to responses &
reactions to the environmental
information acquired thru perception
and cognition.
The designer creates environmental
stimuli to direct these psychological
stages as well as the secondary
processes of motivation, effect and
development.
 Human Response to Interior Envi
Each person responds uniquely
when confronted w/ a specific
situation or experience. These
responses fall into 3 categories:
sociological, psychological and
physiological—all of which are
influenced by factors w/in the
interior environment.
 Human Response to Interior Envi

Psychological determinants
Sociological determinants
Physiological determinants
 Physiology of Space
Physiological determinants relate to
physical needs of the occupants.
Factors to be considered during the
planning phase that deal with
physiological responses include
functionality, ergonomics, life safety,
and health concerns.