Module name

Basic Architectural Design I

Objective of the Module

To understand the fundamentals of Architectural design; space, program &

technology.

To understand context (urban scale) in Architecture.

Module Description

Those mentioned topics will be covered on the courses of this module:

Techniques of spaces defining, spatial qualities, analysis & process of

programs, technology in Architectural space production.

Space Context in Architecture, urban scale, urban cartography and reviews

on traditional & modern city. Architectural space qualities &spatial assemblage.

Module competence

At the end of the Module the student will be able to:

Visualize and put to paper three dimensional space, relate space and program

-Ability to think three dimensionally, compose a small research on

Architectural issues, communicate through drawings, engage imagination, think

creatively, read spaces.

-Draw Architectural space on a smaller scale.

 Understanding context (urban scale) in Architecture

-Interpret complex urban context to an Architectural space and converting it to

a workable space.

- Experiment on Architectural project.

- Ability to analyze activities & translate their in to Architectural space.

- Ability to analyses simple buildings in to their formal, functional &

contextual aspects.

Ability to gather information, define problems & negotiate about basic urban
issues in relation to the basic of Architectural space form.

Course Objectives

Study on spaces, programs, technology in Architectural space production.

Understanding the fundamentals of Architectural design -

Space, program & technology.

It gives students- Ability to think three dimensionally, compose a small research

on Architectural issues, communicate through drawings, engage imagination,

think creatively, read spaces- The skills on Architectural notation (writing)

- The skills of small scale model making as a tool to stud, spatial qualities.
Course Contents

Study on spaces, programs, technology in Architectural space production.

- Techniques of creating space.

- Spatial qualities,

- Architectural notation programs (analysis of activities),

Understanding the impact of technology

Course Content

1. Introduction to Architecture
2. Principles of architecture
3. Principle of design
4. Basic elements of Architecture
5. Ordering principle
6. architecture in space
Definition
Architecture could be basically defined as ‘the art and science of
designing and constructing buildings’.

As a word, ‘architecture’ can carry several other meanings, such as:

 The product or result of architectural work: buildings, urban areas
and landscapes.
 A style or method of building characteristic of a people, place or
time.
 The profession of designing buildings and other habitable
environments by architects.
 The conscious act of forming things resulting in a unifying or
coherent structure.
 In its most simple form, architecture is the design and
organization of spaces, and in its most common form, it is the
design of buildings, their interiors and surrounding spaces.
 Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing
and constructing form and space that reflect functional, technical
with aesthetic considerations.
 The architect acts a designer, who can work in a wide range of
scales, from a scale as large as the planning of a city, up to a scale as
small as the design of a chair.

Origin of Architecture

 Architecture is one of the oldest professions in human history.

 It appeared with human being’s need of shelter to protect himself from
the weather and danger outside.
 It first evolved as the outcome of needs (like shelter, security, worship
 What is design?
•Design is a process of purposeful visual creation.
•The organization of parts into a coherent whole.
•A creative endeavor to solve a problem.

•The objective of a design is to create new objects for the mind to feast
upon.

•Unlike painting and sculpture, which are the realization of artists’

personal visions and dreams, design fills practical needs.

•major characteristic features about design;

PROCESS
PROBLEM SOLVING
CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Design as Process
•Any process is expected to have a definite beginning that sets it in motion and
a definite end where the motion stops.

•A design activity is therefore triggered by some stimuli that starts a process.

Design as Problem solving
•The trigger that sets things in motion is usually the need to solve a problem.

•This in turn implies that the activity that we call design starts by identifying a
problem to be solved and tries to use inputs from the human mind (the designer)
to come up with possible solutions
Design as Creative activity
•There might be more than one possible solution to a specific problem.
•A designer is expected to explore possibilities and use his power of
imagination to generate the best solution that is uniqueand originalat the same
time.
Who is a Designer?
•A designer is an individual that produces an original work of creation.
What does it takes to undertake a design activity?
•Knowledge: Set of accumulated information

•Imagination: Power of visualizing various layers, sides, Dimension &

Possibilities of information

•Skill: The ability to execute our ideas

Observer’s Perspective
•The ultimate goal of any design work is to stimulate the observer and get an
emotional response.
Architecture
•Architecture is a work of artthat employs the sciencesto put up structuresthat
draw emotional responses from usersand observers.

Principle of architecture
 Principles are the most important bricks of the wall that is called
Architecture.
 Without principles, every architectural structure would collapse.
 An architecture principle is the way a concept that is made part of an
architecture, works, producing certain results.
 Architecture is a total concept. And a very special type of total concept.
 A total concept that consists of decorative, operative and constructive
concepts (even for organizations / enterprises) and has coherence.
 And every concept has a first principle.
Design principles

Seven principles encompass an interesting design.

• Balance

• Rhythm

• Emphasis

• Proportion and scale

• Movement

• Contrast

• Unity

BALANCE

• A sense of equilibrium.
• When establishing balance consider visual weight created by
size, color, texture and number of objects.
• Balance is the concept of visual
equilibrium, and relates to our physical
sense of balance. It is a reconciliation of
opposing forces in a composition that
results in visual stability. Most
• Successful compositions achieve balance
in one of two ways: symmetrically or
asymmetrically.
• Parts of the design are equally distributed
to create a sense of stability. Both physical and visual balance exist.
Types

• Symmetrical or formal balance

• Asymmetrical or informal balance
• Radial balance
• Vertical balance
• Horizontal balance

Symmetrical balance

• Symmetrical balance can be described as

having equal "weight" on equal sides of a
centrally placed fulcrum. It may also be
referred to as formal balance. When the
elements are arranged equally on either
side of a central axis, the result is Bilateral
symmetry.

Symmetrical balance
Asymmetrical balance

Asymmetrical balance, also called informal balance, is more

complex and difficult to achieve. It involves placement of objects in
a way that will allow objects of varying visual weight to balance one
another around a central point.

It just means that there are no mirror images in a composition. The

term, however, is usually used to describe a kind of balance that
does not rely on symmetry:
Radial Balance

• This axis may be horizontal or vertical. It is also possible

to build formal balance by arranging elements equally
around a central point, resulting in radial symmetry. This
is called Radial Balance

Horizontal and vertical balance

Vertical Balance

The top and bottom parts are equal.

Horizontal

The parts on the left and right sides are equal.

Rhythm

A visual tempo or beat. The principle of design that refers to a regular

repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of movement. It is
often achieved through the careful placement of repeated components which
invite the viewer's eye to jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one to the next.

Rhythm in architecture is the repetitive use of a group of visual

elements, at least three times, to establish a
recognizable“pattern.”Simple examples of rhythm are the
alternating window and column arrangement of most high rise
office buildings. More complex rhythms make use of what in jazz
music is called "counterpoint”, that is, two or more intersecting or
overlaid rhythms. This is seen frequently in classical
architecture, where a series of columns and openings are
overlaid on top of a series of smaller openings.
Repeated use of line, shape, color, texture or pattern

Types

• Regular rhythm

• Random rhythm
 • Gradated rhythm

Regular Rhythm

An element is repeated at the same repetition/interval each time.

Random Rhythm

The beats of the element are random or are at irregular intervals.

Gradated Rhythm
The repeated element is identical with the exception of one detail increasing or
decreasing gradually with each repetition.

Emphasis

The feature in a design that attracts one’s eye – the focal point

• Emphasis can be achieved through size, placement, shape, color, and/or

use of lines

• In Architecture it is the feature that commands attention and makes

a design visually interesting

Proportion and Scale

Scale refers to the size of an object (a whole) in relationship to another object

(another whole). In art the size relationship between an object and the human
body is significant. In experiencing the scale of an artwork we tend to compare
its size to the size of our own bodies.

Comparative relationships between elements in a design with respect to size

3:5 ratio is known as the Golden Mean

Contrast

Contrast is simply defined as difference. Difference between elements

Or subjects within a work of art or composition. Contrast can be cre through

variety within the element (i.e. value, color, texture) Contrast used to create a
focal point or are interest in an artwork

Noticeably different

Can be created with

• Color

• Proportion and scale

• Shape

• Texture

Unity

Unity is achieved by the consistent use of lines, color, material,

and/or texture within a design.
Elements of Design

• collection of abstract tools

• can be combined and arranged in any way to create visual statement

• are the raw materials or building blocks for any form of visual expression

• By looking at our work in terms of each individual element we are better

able to analyze and understand what we are creating.

• When we analyze any form of visual expression, consciously considering it

in terms of the elements and principles of design gives us a broad platform
on which to base our judgments.

• Elements are used in all visual design fields, including graphic design,
industrial design, architecture and fine art.

1. Point

 It is an element that has position, but no extension.

 It is a single mark in space with a precise, but limited, location.

 As the prime element in the vocabulary of form, a point can serve to mark:

- 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.

2. Line

 A line is an integral element accompanying architecture.

  It is the first line in a project idea record. a line can describe the form of a
building, it can also be its main mean of expression.

Types

 Vertical – Represents dignity, formality, stability, and strength

 Horizontal – Represents calm, peace, and relaxation

 Diagonal – Represents action, activity, excitement, and movement

 Curved – Represents freedom, the natural, having the appearance

of softness, and creates a soothing feeling or mood

3. Plane

 Planes in architecture define three-dimensional volumes of mass and

space.

 The properties of each plane—size, shape, color, texture—as well as their

spatial relationship to one another ultimately determine the visual
attributes of the form they define and the qualities of space they enclose.

4. Mass/Volume

 A mass is a solid body or a grouping of visual elements (line, color,

texture, etc.) that compose a solid form. Mass is positive.

 Volume is a three-dimensional form comprising length, width, and depth.

Volume is negative.
  Three-dimensional forms contain points (vertices), lines (edges), and
planes (surfaces).

5. Form/ Shape: Positive and Negative

 Form and shape can also be described as either organic or geometric.

 Geometric forms are those which correspond to named regular shapes,

such as squares, rectangles, circles, cubes, spheres, cones, and other
regular forms.

 Architecture, such as this example by Frank Lloyd Wright, is usually

composed of geometric forms.

 Shape is 2-dimensional line with no form or thickness.

 Forms and shapes can be thought of as positive or negative.

 In a two dimensional composition, the objects constitute the positive

forms, while the background is the negative space.

6. Texture

 Texture is the property, sensation and feel of the objects received

through sense of touch and vision.

 They may be used for the description of tactile sensations.

 The textures for interior and exterior of a building has to be selected

very carefully.

 Textures can be categorized in different ways as follows:

 Smooth and Rough Texture

 Natural and Artificial Textures

  Visual and Physical Textures

7. Color

 Color can be used strategically to orchestrate spatial sequences or to

visualize tectonics, it can support light and shadow, make surfaces an
optical and haptic experience and much more.

 Color is one of the oldest architectural design elements – colorless

architecture does not exist.”

 The color is light, beauty and harmony, but also mental balance, comfort
and excitement.

 Colors in Architecture are necessary to embellish, highlight, illuminate

and separate spaces … and also to transmit sensations and comfort.

 The choice of color is therefore based on static factors and also

psychological, cultural and social factors.

8. Space: Positive and Negative

 Space encompasses the volume of a structure, the parts of a building we

move through and experience.

 But space can only be created through the use of form.

 Form is the mass, or grouping of materials, used to give a building its

shape.

 Another way to look at this is in terms of positive and negative space.

 Positive Space has mass.

 Negative space is the space that exist outside of certain boundary.

9. Value

 Value can be used with color or black and white

 Contrast is the extreme change between values.

Ordering principles
•In a composition that uses elements, regardless of the logic of organization, we
can establish an ordered relationship between the elements by the use of
Ordering Principles.

•These principles, unlike organizing principles, they are not due to the
manifestation of the actual structureof the composition

•rather it is a relationship defined between the elements as parts of the

composition that can contribute to the overall effect.

•Axis

•Symmetry

•Hierarchy
•Datum

•Rhythm

•Repetition

Axis
•A line defined between two points in space about which forms can be
arranged in a symmetrical or balanced manner.

•This line can be actual or implied

•The overall impact of the introduction of an axis is that it establishes an order

of significance between the elements of design.

SYMMETRY
•It is nothing but the arrangement of objects that are equidistant from an actual
or implied axis.
Two types of symmetry
•Bilateral symmetry; balanced arrangement of similar or equivalent elements on
opposite sides of a median axis so that only one plane can divide the whole into
essentially identical halves.

•Radial symmetry; balanced arrangement of similar or equivalent elements such

that the composition can be divided into similar halves by passing a plane at any
angle around a center point or along a central axis.

HIERARCHY
•Way of establishing order from most dominant to least dominant element.

•It establishes primary and secondary elements that have a dependent

relationship.
•Achieved by changing size, shape or locationrelative to the other forms

DATUM
•The introduction of one dominant element in an otherwise disordered
composition may produce an overall ordering effect on the existing forms.

•In such cases, we are considering the introduction of the form as a datum.

•Such a form could be a line, Plane, Volume.

REPITION
•Reoccurrence of similar elements define repetition.

•As a structure, repetition could be achieved by using visible structural

elements of form or by the use of invisible formal elements that produce effects
of repeating spaces between visible forms.

RHYTHM
•Reoccurrence of elements in a logical pattern.

•A unifying movement characterized by a patterned repetition or alteration of

formal elements or motifs in the same or a modified form.

•Rhythm is hence a sense of order established between elements that are in

repetition, but not vice versa.

INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE IN SPACE

Architecture is an art.
Architecture goes beyond providing mere shelter or just pure function. The
purpose of Architecture is to enrich the lives of those who come in contact with
those works. Architecture is the manipulation of solids and voids and light; not
just ordinary light, but light that touches the spirit.
An order, one of an infinite number of orders that are available to the architect
as he goes about the business of designing.
Communication is the purpose and touchstone of architecture. If you
cannot communicate you cannot get a message across. And if you share the
aspiration that architecture is to evoke emotional response from those who
come in contact with it, then the architecture has to be able to set up a dialogue
between a dead object and human response. it is a communication that must be
delivered by an order.
Architecture must have sufficient cogency and resonance to speak for
itself.
Three Components of Architecture:
Size and Shape:
Treatment:
Orientation:
1. Size and Shape:
• consisting of an infinite variety of different sizes of masses or volumes:
such as squares, rectangles, circles, pyramids, ellipses, curves, cubes, etc.
2. Treatment:
• What do you do with the size & the shape?
• How many different ways can you treat it in a simple way & how does
that treatment alter change?
• In what ways can you define or manipulate the sizes & shapes?
• Treatment is pattern, texture, color, figure, ground, light, illumination,
contrast, opacity, transparency, translucency, reflectivity, visual density,
thickness or thinness, etc.
3. Orientation:
 What is the relative position of something or someone?
Location: a particular place or position (External - internal –
interstitial).
  Placement and displacement.
Edge (periphery) vs. center (core)
Or foreground, middle ground, background.
 Relationship of a building to its neighbors
Relationship of building to sky (penetration, transition, frame, receptacle,
passive/active)
Relationship of building to ground: in the ground, on the ground, above the
ground.
 Directionality, redirection or reversals:
Up vs. down; left vs. right
Longitudinal vs. transverse
Horizontal vs. vertical
Orthogonal vs. diagonal
Exposure: north - south - east - west

Three Types of Spaces in Architecture

1. Place-Spaces:
Major spaces that portray a sense of definite location or position.
2. Path-Spaces
Major transition spaces which are directional; corridor, connector,
passageway.
3. Transition-Spaces:
Minor spaces which process a change from one condition to
another.
 Joint spaces
 define a pause between spaces
 juxtapose spaces of contrasting or continuous character
 act as a separator space
 act as fastener, joining or linking space
 Servant-spaces are transition spaces that act as functional support
(storage spaces, built-in elements, Bathrooms, mechanical voids, etc.)