EVOLUTION OF FORM AND THE PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION ANALYSES

Harpa Concert Hall - Icelandic Basalt Rocks Since the Harpa Concert Hall took on its main
Perspective Name of Structure: Harpa Concert Hall inspiration from the nature that surrounds
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland Iceland, the evolution of form can be found in
Name of Designer/Architect: Henning Larsen Architects the basalt rock columns which can be seen in
the glass panels of the concert hall.

Plan Composition: Elevation/Mass Composition:

Contrast: Contrast of Direction can be observed due to how the
Contrast: Contrast of Mass is prevalent in the display of the elevation
building’s floor plan is separated into two quadrilaterals with each
Harpa Concert Hall (Floor Plan) following a vertical and horizontal direction. Additionally, Contrast of
especially since the differently shaped quadrilaterals vary in terms of
difference in vertical and horizontal elements, this also aligns well with
Size may be seen due to how the quadrilaterals have been observed to
First-Floor Plan Second-Floor Plan have different sizes in the floor plan.
Contrast of Direction especially since each of the quadrilaterals are
flowing in opposing directions. Additionally, Contrast of Size is also
Proportion: From observing the floor plan, Relative Proportion would
prevalent because although its description would be similar to Contrast Since the building was designed to
provide the most viability in regards to explaining the shapes which
lay on the given floor plan. The floor plan clearly shows forms taken
in Mass, the perspective of the building shows otherwise especially with
how each quadrilateral varies in size upon the progression of the represent the theatrical arts with it
from the group of quadrilaterals wherein parallelograms, trapeziums,
and rhombus’ are being used.
building.
Proportion: Absolute Proportion may be applied now especially now
mainly gravitating towards music, I
Scale: For scale, since the objective of a floor plan is to measure the
dimensions of the building while taking into consideration the factors
that the quadrilaterals have been extruded from one another. From the believed there was barely anything
elevations and sections being observed, the shapes are as followed
involved in anthropometry and ergonomics; the usage of Human Scale
would be of best usage since it measures the size of a building and its
which are quadrilaterals and these are the parallelograms, rhombus’ and to change especially since the
trapeziums and falls under the category of squares when taking into
dimensions with consideration towards the human body. Simple
Progression was used when taking into account the scalar sequence
account the platonic solids especially since quadrilaterals are still building was designed as well to
composed of four sides.
since the structure’s floor plan shows that the quadrilaterals are
Scale: For scale, it is following the Generic Scale this time around handle and properly reflect the
Third-Floor Plan Fourth-Floor Plan placed on equal levels.
Balance: Due to the floor plan’s display of its quadrilateral segments
especially since the sizing of the building element is taken into account
and the different sizes of the quadrilaterals can be seen. As mentioned soundwaves which travel across
displaying irregularities with how each form flows in different
directions plus the factor in which each quadrilateral is sized
previously, the same scalar sequence is used which would be Simple
Progression especially since the quadrilaterals are shown to have an
the concert hall. So, instead of
differently, it can be said that the Harpa Concert Halls displays
Asymmetrical Balance. Additionally, the vertical points used in this
increase in heights as the quadrilaterals proceed to connect with one changing of the overall interior of
another.
floor plan would be Vertical Planes because although the floor plan
displays quadrilaterals such as trapeziums and parallelograms, the
Balance: From the elevations provided and when looking at the the building, I instead decided to
perspective view of the building, it can be said that the Harpa Concert
opposite sides are still parallel to one another.
Rhythm: Static Art is best used here in regards to rhythm because
Hall displays Asymmetrical Balance due to how the quadrilaterals are take one signal quadrilateral and
unevenly placed in terms of height and how they are unevenly placed
although the structure derives direct inspiration from the basalt
and extruded. extrude even further which can
columns located in Iceland, the Harpa Concert Hall is still a form of
architecture wherein the movement of the eye travels across the floor
Rhythm: Due to the structure’s direct inspiration from nature in Iceland
which would be the basalt rock columns and when taking into account increase the space from within the
plan’s differently sized quadrilaterals but a connection is still felt due
to how the quadrilaterals are connected to one another which creates
that architecture can take inspiration from almost anything, it would be
best to go with Static Art. Upon observing the building, it can be said that
concert hallways and show a more
a sense of rhythm.
Harpa Concert Hall (Elevation) Unity: The floor plan displays unity by how the quadrilaterals are
it is mostly constructed out of Glass, Steel, and Concrete which gives off dramatical view alongside an
a style of Neofuturistic Architecture.
simultaneously connected to one another with the focal point most
likely being an invisible line which connects the quadrilaterals to one
Unity: The elevation’s gives a sense of unity through how the interesting choice when it comes to
quadrilaterals are intertwined with one another with the focal point
another. An artistic motif which stood out from the floor plan would
be the usage of different types of quadrilaterals with varying sizes
running through the last quarter of the section since that is where the form composition.
other parallelograms are derived from and where they extrude. An
which creates a dynamic form of design with the unifying elements
RIGHT - SIDE ELEVATION most likely being the usage of quadrilaterals exclusively.
interesting artistic motif would be the difference in the heights of the
walls from each of the quadrilaterals which creates an interesting and
Character: Due to how the building functions as a concert hall or
dynamic roof design. The unifying elements in the given section would
musical theatre especially when taking into account the name of the
be how the shapes used are still quadrilaterals which creates a sense of
building being the “Harpa Concert Hall” then it would be best to
consistency in the given elevation.
assume that the building follows Associated Character especially with
Character: Besides the building’s connection to Associated Character
how it takes direct inspiration from the nature of the country
especially with its connection to Iceland’s nature and history, it can also
alongside its correlation to its functions in performing arts which only
LEFT - SIDE ELEVATION fuels how its derived from the influence of ideas and impressions and
be said that the character of the Harpa Concert Hall may be associated
with Functional Character since its given shape and form is made to
the growing from the past especially when taking into account its
absorb as much proper sunlight due to Iceland’s climate and how it is
history.
also made to potentially reflect soundwaves across the theatre since it is
a concert music hall afterall.

Harpa Concert Hall (Section)

References:
SECTION SECTION https://www.businessdestinations.com/10-top-destinations/harpa-concert-hall-and-conference-centre/
EVOLUTION OF FORM AND THE PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION ANALYSES

THRU A- A Justin Carl L. Castro

THRU B - B https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/breathtaking-view-of-studlagil-basalt-canyon-iceland-gm1181274388-331255432
Ar. Willa Solomon 1AR - 3
https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/building/harpa-concert-and-conference-centre/ 2022 - 2023 12/11/2022