Theory of Architecture Definition of Terms

Meant for highlighting particular piece or show item like artworks, structures, sculptures and so on. Accent Light
Having no saturation and therefore no hue, as white, black or gray. Achromatic
Basically set the mood of the living space and illuminate the overall space. Also called mood lighting. Ambient Light
One of two or three closely related colors on a color wheel. Analogous Color
The measurement and study of the size and proportions of the human body. Anthropometry
To ascribe human form or characteristics to nonhuman things or beings. Anthropomorphize
The process of managing information so that the right kind of information is available at the right stage of the design process and the best Architectural Programming
possible decisions can be made in shaping the outcome of the building designs.
The acoustic properties of an environment that contribute to one's ability to hear what needs to be heard and to mask unwanted sounds. Audibility
A straight line to which elements in a composition are referred for measurement or symmetry. Axis
The pleasing or harmoniuos arrangement or proportion or parts or elements in a design or composition. Balance
In theory, it is the visual base for the building or the floor plane or the ground plane. Base Plane
The units for describing the interdependencies of activity and physical settings. Behavioral Settings
Symmetry resulting from the arrangement of similar parts on opposite sides of a median axis. Bilateral Symmetry
The exterior of a building expresses the internal function. Character
Movementor flow of people, objects, information or substances. Circulation
The phenomenon of light and visual perception that may be described in hue, saturation and tonal value. Color
A circular scale of the colors of the spectrum, showing complementary colors opposite each other. Also called color circle. Color Wheel
Providing ease and enjoyment. Comfort
One of a pair of opposing colors on a color wheel, perceived as completing or enhancing each other. Complementary Color
The arranging of parts or elements into proper proportion or relation so as to form a unified whole. Composition
The significance or meaning of an artistic work, as distinguised from its form. Content
Variety of shapes and texture. Contrast
Ease of access to places, materials and information. Convenience
The creation and organization of formal elements in a work of art. Design
An individual, minute, or subordinate part of a whole. Detail
A drawing, not necessarily representational, that outlines, explains, or clarifies the arrangement and relations of the parts of a whole. Diagram
A combination of two analogous colors and their complementary colors on a color wheel. Double Complementary
Ability to endure the designed use over time. Durability
An applied science concerned with the characteristics of people that need to be considered in the design of devices and systems in order that Ergonomics
people and things will interact effectively and safely. Also called human engineering.
An underlying framework or structure of connected parts. Fabric
The unending sequence of numbers where the first two terms are 1 and 1, and each succeeding term is the sum of the two immediately Fibonacci series
preceeding . Also called Fibonacci sequence. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…
The primary identifying characteristic of a volume. A sense of three-dimentional mass or volume. Form
A rectangle whose sides are proportioned according to the golden section. Golden Rectangle
Mathematical systems of proportion originate from the Pythagorean concept of 'all is number' and the belief that certain numerical Golden Section
relationships manifest the harmonic structure of the universe.
An achromatic color between white and black. Gray
Relating to or based on the sense of touch. Haptic
A sequence of numbers the reciprocals of which form an arithmetic progression. Harmonic Progression
A series in which the terms are in harmonic progression. Harmonic Series
The orderly, pleasing, or congruent arrangement of the elements or parts in an artistic whole. Harmony
A system of elements ranked, classified, and organized one above another, according to importance or significance. Heirarchy
Space between two objects, points or states. Interval
The state or position of being placed close together or side by side, so as to permit comparison or contrast. Juxtaposition
A linear unit for regulating column spacing in traditional Japanese construction, initially set at 6 ft. or 1.80 m, but later varying according to Ken
room width as determined by tatami units.
The sensory experience of bodily position, presence or movement derived chiefly from stimulation of nerve endings in muscles, tendons and Kinesthesia
joints. Also, kinaesthesia, kinesthesis.
A point extended with properties of length, direction and position. Line
A symmetrical condition accurring in one part of a design, often serving to center an irregular pattern. Local Symmetry
Having only one color or exhibiting varying intensities and values of a single hue. Monochromatic
Relating to or based on the sense of smell. Olfactory
The state or position of being placed opposite another, or of lying in corresponding positions from an intervening space or object. Opposition
The systematic arranging of interdependent or coordinated parts into a coherent unity or functioning whole. Organization
The direction of a form. Orientation
In theory, it is the ceiling plane and roof plane. Overhead Plane
The basic scheme or concept for an architectural design, represented by a diagram. Parti
An artistic or decorative design, especially one having a characteristic arrangement and considered as a unit, of which an idea can be given by a Pattern
fragment.
The variable and subjective distance at which one person feels comfortable talking to another. Also called personal distance. Personal Space

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A line extended with properties of length and width, shape, surface, orientation, and position. Plane
Indicates a position in space. Point
Having or exhibiting a variety of colors. Polychromatic
Relative to its environment or visual field. Position
Any of a set of colors, as red, yellow and blue, regarded as generating all other colors. Primary Color
Relationship the eyes make with, between the size, shape, and tone of various objects or parts of a composition. Proportion
The study of the symbolic and communicative role of the spatial separation individuals maintain in various social and interpersonal situations, Proxemics
and how the nature and degree of this spatial arrangement relates to environmental and cultural factors.
Symmetry resulting from the arrangement of similar, radiating parts about a center point or central axis. Radial Symmetry
The act or process of repeating formal elements or motifs in a design. Repetition
Harmony in the arrangement of parts or color that is restful to the eye. Repose
Movement characterized by a patterned repetition or alternation of formal elements or motifs in the same or a modified form. Rhythm
Refers to how we perceive or judge the size of something in relation to something else. Scale
A color, as orange, green or violet, produced by mixing two primary colors. Secondary Color
A relatively dark value of a color, produced by adding black to it. Shade
Is the principal aspect by which we identify and categorize forms or the surface organization of a volumetric form. Shape
The physical dimension of length, width and depth of a form. Size
A combination of one color and the pair colors adjoining its complementary color on a color wheel. Split Complementary
The organization of elements or parts in a complex system as dominated by the general character of the whole. Structure
The exact correspondence in size, form, and arrangement ofparts on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane, or about a center or axis. Symmetry
The physical , dimensional structure of a surface, apart from its color and form. Tactile Texture
Includes light sources like table and bed lamps which have a defined purpose, dedicated for specific task. Task Light
The pattern of behavior associated with defining and defending a territory or domain. Territoriality
A color, as brown, produced by mixing two secondary colors, or a secondary color with one of its constituent primaries. Tertiary Color
The degree to which the surface of a form reflect or absorb incident light. Texture
A relatively light value of a color, produced by adding white to it. Tint
An intermediate value of a color between a tint and a shade. Tone
A combination of three colors forming an equilateral triangle on a color wheel. Triad
Stresses on the fact that there should be a sense of uniformity or harmony among all elements. Unity
The degree of concentration and stability. Visual Inertia
The apparent texture of a surface resulting from the combination and interralation of colors and tonal values. Visual Texture
A plane extended with properties of length, width and depth, form and space, surface, orientation, and position. Volume
In theory, it is the walls or any vertical enclosure of the architectural space. Wall Plane

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