DESIGN GUIDE

ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN BASICS -
FORM

First In Architecture
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 TABLE OF
CONTENTS
01 Introduction

02 What is Form?

03 Primary Elements

04 Primary Shapes and Solids

05 Regular and Irregular Forms

06 Transformation of Form

07 Subtractive and Additive Forms

08 Collisions of Geometry

09 Next Steps

10 Thank you!
01

INTRODUCTION
The act of creating architecture can be seen as a problem solving process. Early
phases of design will focus on establishing the problematic conditions of the project,
and committing to finding a solution to those problems.

A designer will draw on experience, their existing design language to resolve issues
and develop solutions. The following post (forming part of our Design Basics series)
looks at some of the elements and principles of the design language. Specifically we
will start by looking at form and how it responds to conditions of function, purpose
and context.

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02

WHAT IS FORM?
Form can be described as a reference to both the internal structure and external
outline, often in the shape of a three dimensional mass or volume.
Some of the characteristics of form include:

Shape – the outline of the form

Size – the dimensions of the form, proportions and scale
Colour – the colour of the form will affect its visual weight
Texture – the texture of a form will affect how light is reflected or absorbed
Position – where the form is located in relation to its environment
Orientation – the position of the form in relation to the ground, compass points or the
person viewing the form

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03

PRIMARY ELEMENTS
The primary elements of form are points, lines, planes and volumes – each one
growing from the other. A point is a position in space, a line is the extension of a point.
A surface or plan, is the extension of a line. A volume is a plane extended.

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04

PRIMARY SHAPES AND

SOLIDS
The most significant primary shapes are the circle, triangle and square.
The primary solids are the sphere, cylinder, cone, pyramid and cube.

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05

REGULAR AND
IRREGULAR FORMS
A regular form is considered to be a form that is consistent and orderly. They are
generally symmetrical about one or more axes. The sphere, cylinder, cone and cube
are examples of regular forms. These forms can be changed by the addition or
subtraction of elements, but can still remain regular.

An irregular form is one whose parts are dissimilar and generally inconsistent and
asymmetrical. A regular form can be contained within an irregular form.

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06

TRANSFORMATION
OF FORM
Many variations of a form can be generated from the primary solids, by manipulating
dimensions of the solids, or adding or subtracting elements.

The following sketches show:

Examples of how a cube can be transformed by altering its dimensions
Examples of how a cube can be transformed by subtracting portions of its
volume.
Example of how a cube can be transformed with the addition of elements to its
volume.

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07

SUBTRACTIVE AND
ADDITIVE FORMS
Subtractive forms will have portions removed from its volume, but they often retain
their identity until the profile is drastically altered.

Additive forms are produced by relating or attaching one or more subordinate forms
to its volume. This can be broken down into different types of contact.

Spatial tension – where the forms are within close proximity to one another
Edge to Edge – where the forms are sharing a common edge
Face to Face – where the forms have corresponding surfaces which are parallel to
one another
Interlocking – where the forms are inter connected to one another

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Additive forms often grow and merge with other forms, creating relationships that can
be categorised as below:

Centralised
Centralised forms are often freestanding, and isolated within their context.

Linear
A linear form is often a response to a topography or site context. They tend to
demonstrate a selection of forms along a line.

Radial
A radial form features a centrally located core with linear forms extending outwards
from the centre. Radial forms can create a network of centres linked by the linear
forms.

Clustered
A clustered form tends to be a collection of varying forms. They are often based on a
more functional requirement, and tend not to be regular or formal. A clustered form
can be interlocking, face to face, or edge to edge amongst others.

Grid
A grid form demonstrates a form that is focused on a grid layout. These forms tend to
be considered in third dimension and are of a modular framework.

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08

COLLISIONS OF
GEOMETRY
There are often occasions where two geometries will collide to create a new
composite form.

This may occur in many circumstances:

To suit the functional requirements of the internal space
To display a symbolic importance
To direct a space toward or away from a specific site context feature
To create a volume of space within an existing form
To demonstrate the nature of the structure
To create a symmetry in the building
To respond to site context or topography
To respond to an existing path or movement through the site

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NEXT STEPS
RESOURCES

To read the original article – just click on the button below:

ARCHITECTURE DESIGN
BASICS - FORM

MORE INSPIRATION

Book Recommendation and reference:

A truly vital resource for all architecture students, and indeed any book from Francis
Ching. Highly recommend.
Architecture: Form, Space, & Order, 4th Edition: Amazon.co.uk: Ching, Francis D. K.:
9781118745083: Books

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10

THANK YOU!
I hope you have found this guide useful.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.

If you have any questions or comments please send me an email at -

emma@firstinarchitecture.co.uk

Thanks again,
Emma
https://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/

HAPPY DESIGNING ;)

Author

Written by Emma Walshaw, founder of First In Architecture and the

Detail Library. Emma developed First In Architecture to help students
with their studies. She loves to take complicated topics and break them
down into simple explanations.

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