THEORY of ARCHITECTURE

ESSENCE OF ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE & ARTS

Greek words
ARCHI = first or original
TECT = the ability to put things
together

Sanskrit root
ARTS = everything in its right
place
 • Analysis of a set of facts in relation
to one another
• Belief, policy or procedure proposed
or followed as basis of action
• An ideal or hypothetical set of facts,
principles or circumstances of a body
of fact on science or art
• A plausible or scientifically accepted
general principle or body of
principles offered to explain
phenomenon

THEORY IN GENERAL
 Forms/types of Theory
-Descriptive: Explains
phenomenon or events; their
neutral and do not lean towards
any ideology
-Prescriptive: Prescribes bases
or guidelines
-Critical: Challenges relationships
between architecture & society

THEORY IN GENERAL
 Essence and Composition

 A collection of thoughts, view,

ideas
 Organized by theme or topic
 Evolution of thoughts
 There is not a grand theory or
unified theory of architecture; it is
a combination of various thoughts,
speculations, concepts

ARCHITECTURAL THEORY
 Form
 In a conceptual form
 Needs to be translated
 From concepts to reality
 Discussed, tested, developed

ARCHITECTURAL THEORY
ESSENCE OF ARCHITECTURE

Architecture is the process that we

instinctively recognize as the genius of
growth and creation

It gives form to the invisible pulses

and rhythm of life

The physical manifestation of the power

is a consequence of the desire for the
invisible to be made visible
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS

The Architecture of Space  Organizational pattern, relationships,hierarchy

Structure  Qualities of shape, color, texture,scale, proportion
Enclosure  Qualities of surfaces, edges and openings

Experienced through Movement in  Approach and entry

Space-time  Path configuration and access
 Sequence of spaces
 Light, view, touch, hearing and smell

Achieved by means of Technology  Structure and enclosure

 Environmental protection and comfort
 Health, safety and welfare
 Durability

Accommodating a Program  User requirements, needs, aspirations

 Socio-cultural factors
 Economic factors
 Legal restraints
 Historical tradition and precedents

Compatible with its Context  Site and environment

 Climate: sun, wind, temperature and precipitation
 Geography: soils, topography, vegetation and water
 Sensory and cultural characteristics of the place
SPATIAL
SYSTEM

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
STRUCTURAL
SYSTEM

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
ENCLOSURE
SYSTEM

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
CIRCULATION
SYSTEM

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
 CONTEXT

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
THE • Organizational pattern, relationships,
ARCHITECTURE hierarchy
OF:
• Qualities of shape, color, texture, scale,
Space proportion
Structure • Qualities of surfaces, edges and
Enclosure openings

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
 • Approach and entry
EXPERIENCED
THROUGH: • Path configuration and access
Movement in Space- • Sequence of spaces
time
• Light, view, touch, hearing and smell

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
 • Approach and entry
EXPERIENCED
THROUGH: • Path configuration and access
Movement in Space- • Sequence of spaces
time
• Light, view, touch, hearing and smell

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
 • Structure and enclosure
ACHIEVED BY
MEANS OF: • Environmental protection and comfort
Technology • Health, safety and welfare
• Durability

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
 • User requirements, needs, aspirations
ACCOMMODATING
• Socio-cultural factors
A:
• Economic factors
Program
• Legal restraints
• Historical tradition & precedents

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
 • Site and environment
COMPATIBLE • Climate: sun, wind, temperature and
WITH ITS: precipitation
Context • Geography: soils, topography, vegetation
and water
• Sensory and cultural characteristics of the
place

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
ARCHITECTURAL Form and Space Systems and
ORDERS Organizations of:

Physical
 Solids and Voids  Space
 Interior and Exterior  Structure
 Enclosure
 Machines
Perceptual Sensory perception and  Approach and
recognition of the physical Departure
elements by experiencing  Entry and Egress
them sequentially in time  Movement through the
order of spaces
 Functioning of and
activities within
spaces
 Qualities of light,
color, texture, view
and sound
Conceptual Comprehension of the  Images
ordered and disordered  Patterns
relationships among a  Signs
building’s elements and  Symbols
systems and responding to  Context (Space, Form,
the meanings they evoke Function, Technics)
ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS
ARCHITECTURAL FORM & SYSTEMS &
ORDERS SPACE ORGANIZATIONS OF

• Solids &Voids • Space

• Interior & • Structure
Physical Exterior
• Enclosure
• Machines

ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS
ARCHITECTURAL FORM & SYSTEMS &
ORDERS SPACE ORGANIZATIONS OF

Sensory • Approach & Departure

perception &
recognition of • Entry & Egress
Perceptual
the physical • Movement through the
elements by order of spaces
experiencing
them sequentially • Functioning of activities
in time within spaces
• Qualities of light, color,
texture, view & sound

ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS
ARCHITECTURAL FORM & SYSTEMS &
ORDERS SPACE ORGANIZATIONS OF

Sensory • Approach & Departure

perception &
recognition of • Entry & Egress
Perceptual
the physical • Movement through the
elements by order of spaces
experiencing
them sequentially • Functioning of activities
in time within spaces
• Qualities of light, color,
texture, view & sound

ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS
ARCHITECTURAL FORM & SYSTEMS &
ORDERS SPACE ORGANIZATIONS OF

Comprehension of • Images
the ordered and
disordered • Patterns
Conceptual relationships
among a building’s • Signs
elements and • Symbols
systems and
responding to the • Context (space,form,
meanings they function,techniques)
evoke

ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS
ARCHITECTURAL FORM & SYSTEMS &
ORDERS SPACE ORGANIZATIONS OF

Comprehension of • Images
the ordered and
disordered • Patterns
Conceptual relationships
among a building’s • Signs
elements and • Symbols
systems and
responding to the • Context (space,form,
meanings they function,techniques)
evoke

ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
POINT
 The two ends of a
line
 The intersection of
two lines
 The meeting of lines
at the corner of a
plane or volume
 The center of a
field

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
LINE
A point extended
becomes a line with
properties of:

 Length
 Direction
 Position

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
PLANE
A line extended
becomes a plane with
properties of:

 Length and width

 Shape
 Surface
 Orientation
 Position

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
VOLUME
A plane extended
becomes a volume with
properties of:

 Length, width, depth

 Form and space
 Surface
 Orientation
 Position

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
ARCHITECTURAL FORM is the
point of contact between mass and
space
Properties of
Form:
• Shape
• Size
• Color
• Texture
• Position
• Orientation
• Visual Inertia

FORM
SPACE DEFINITION
SPACE DEFINITION
SPACE DEFINITION
SPACE DEFINITION
Dimensional
Transformation
a form can be
transformed by
altering one or more of
its dimensions and still
retain its identity as a
member of a family of
forms. A cube, for
example, can be
transformed into
similar prismatic forms
through discrete
changes in height,
length or width.

FORM TRANSFORMTION
Subtractive
Transformation:
a form can be
transformed by
subtracting a portion
of its volume.
Depending on the
extent of the
subtractive process,
the form can still
retain its initial
identity or be
transformed into a
form of another
family.

FORM TRANSFORMATION
Additive
Transformation:
a form can be
transformed by the
addition of elements
to its volume. The
nature of the additive
process and the
number and relative
sizes of the elements
being attached
determine whether the
identity of the initial
form is altered or
retained.

FORM TRANSFORMATION
SPATIAL
RELATIONSHIPS
• Space within a Space
• Interlocking Spaces
• Adjacent Spaces
• Spaces linked by a
Common Space

FORM AND SPACE

SPATIAL
RELATIONSHIPS
• Space within a Space
• Interlocking Spaces
• Adjacent Spaces
• Spaces linked by a
Common Space

FORM AND SPACE

SPATIAL
RELATIONSHIPS
• Space within a Space
• Interlocking Spaces
• Adjacent Spaces
• Spaces linked by a
Common Space

FORM AND SPACE

Centralized
Organization:

a number of
secondary forms
clustered about a
dominant, central
parent-form

SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
Linear
Organization:
a series of forms
arranged
sequentially in a
row

SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
Radial
Organization:

a composition of
linear forms
extending outward
from a central
form in a radial
manner

SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
Radial
Organization:

a composition of
linear forms
extending outward
from a central
form in a radial
manner

SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
Clustered
Organization:

a collection of
forms grouped
together by
proximity or the
sharing of a
common visual
trait.

SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
Clustered
Organization:

a collection of
forms grouped
together by
proximity or the
sharing of a
common visual
trait.

SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
Grid
Organization:

a set of modular
forms related and
regulated by a
three-dimensional
grid

SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
Approach:

the distant view; the

first phase of the
circulation system
during which we are
prepared to see,
experience and use
the building

ELEMENTS OF CIRCULATION
Entrance:

from outside to inside;

may be flushed,
projected or recessed

ELEMENTS OF CIRCULATION
Configuration
of Path:

the sequence of spaces ;

can be linear, radial,
spiral, grid, network or
composite

ELEMENTS OF CIRCULATION
Anthropocentrism:
the human being is the
most important entity in
the universe. The world is
perceived according to the
values and experiences of
the human being.

SPATIAL THEORIES
Anthropomorphism:
human qualities are
associated with non-human
entities/ events. Qualities
such as form, values and
emotions.

SPATIAL THEORIES
Anthropometrics:
study of measurements
of the human body

SPATIAL THEORIES
 The term
Ergonomics: "ergonomics" is
derived from two
an applied science Greek words:
concerned with the of
characteristics of people
"ergon," meaning
that need to be work, and
considered in the design "nomoi," meaning
of devices and systems in natural laws.
order that people and Ergonomists study
things will interact
effectively and safely.
human capabilities
in relationship to
work demands.

SPATIAL THEORIES
Proxemics:

The study of the

symbolic and
communicative role of the
spatial separation
individuals maintain in
various social and
interpersonal situations,
and how the nature and
degree of this spatial
arrangement relates to
environmental and
cultural factors.

SPATIAL THEORIES
Spatial illusions
through:
Changes in levels
Bringing outside in
Borrowing views
Use of glass and light
materials
Multiplicity of functions
Two-dimensional
treatments
Use of color

SPATIAL THEORIES
Spatial illusions
through:
Changes in levels
Bringing outside in
Borrowing views
Use of glass and light
materials
Multiplicity of functions
Two-dimensional
treatments
Use of color

SPATIAL THEORIES