SECOND SEMESTER AY 2020-2021

AR 1A Friday 1:00 - 3:00 PM

AR 1B Friday 10:00 AM - 12:00 NN
Instructor: Arch. Geronimo R. Lajom

Unit 03. E-Mail: Geronimo.lajom@bulsu.edu.ph

Phone: 0927 655 8007

Office:

PLANNING BASICS Office of the College Secretary

Bulacan State University
College of Architecture and Fine Arts

PLAN COMPOSITION SCHEME

Logical planning should not be done in an aimless way. There must be a reason or a scheme behind it.

§ Exterior with symmetry or monumentality = plan balanced about a central axis.

§ Informal massing = more free flowing Regardless of the complexity of plans, they may
be reduced 
to simple geometrical shapes (circles, squares, etc.) 


AXIAL ARRANGEMENTS 

Axis is determined by the relative importance of the sides which bound the plan

§ MAJOR AXIS – carried through the mass as one enters the building; perpendicular to the main
elevation and to the directional quality of the area location of entrance is more important than
shape
Ø Transverse major axis –cuts through the shorter direction
Ø Longitudinal major axis –cuts through the longer direction

§ PRINCIPAL MINOR AXIS – extends at right angle from the major axis; parallel to the main
elevation

In complex plans, the parts may group around several minor axes which show the direction of the
units. 


PRINCIPLES

§ ORGANIC PLANS – all parts must fit together in such a way that the composition will be
disturbed 
if one element is moved.
§ EMPHASIS – created by contrast in size, shape, character, etc. Emphasized activity =
emphasized area in the plan
(ex. Elements imparting rhythm and point to a monument in the
center)

SECONDARY PRINCIPLES

§ REPETITION – when a number of room, window, arches, etc. of equal size and shape occur side
by side to create unaccented rhythm.
§ ALTERNATION – alternating varying sizes or contrasting shapes

§ TRANSITION – a satisfactory progression from one unit to another such as vestibules, lobbies;
gives preparatory indication of the character and use of the interior

§ TRANSFORMATION – a prototypical architectural model whose formal structure and ordering
areappropriate is transformed through a series of discreet manipulations to respond to specific
conditions and context.

Requires that the principle of the prototypical model is understood so that the design concept is
maintained even after permutation

FORMAL COLLISIONS OF GEOMETRY

Situation:
Two forms with different orientation and geometry collide and penetrate each other’s boundaries
(also: border, limitation, edges etc.)

Unit 03.PLANNING BASICS 1

Resultant forms:

§ Two forms can subvert their individual identities and merge to create a new composite
form
§ One of the two forms can receive the other totally within its volume
§ The two forms can retain their individual identities and share the interlocking portion
of their 
volumes
§ The two forms can separate and be linked by a third element that recalls the geometry
of one of the original form 


THE ARTICULATION OF FORMS 


Articulation refers to the manner by which the surfaces of a form come together to define its shape
and volume. 


An articulated form clearly reveals the edges of its surfaces and the corners at which they meet. Its
surfaces appear as planes with distinct shape; their configuration is legible and easily perceived. 


Ways by which forms and Its Surface Planes May Be Articulated

1. Edges

2. Corners

3. Surfaces 


How Corners Define the Meeting of Two Planes

1. By introducing another element


2. By introducing an opening

3. By cutting the planes that define the corner
4. By rounding off the corners

Unit 03.PLANNING BASICS 2