Theory of Architecture I

Influences on Architectural
Design
I. General Influences (Character)
A. Needs of Man

A1. Physical Needs

A1.1 Self-Preservation – basic (food, shelter and clothing) additional to
basic needs…..
A1.2 Reproduction – for the population to increase and continue to
existence
Modern man’s shelter
A1.1.1 Necessities
A1.1.2 Conveniences
A1.1.3 Comforts

A2. Emotional Needs – emotional reactions of man have to do with the

instincts stirred by the forces of religion and art and with the desire to
indulge in recreation.

A3. Intellectual Needs – education, science and government, demand a

proper architectural setting.
B. Activities of Man
B1. Desire for Preservation – in obtaining food, shelter, clothing and
security, civilized man must have commerce, government and religion.

B2. Desire for Recognition – desire for prestige, pride and ambition, social
status, physical supremacy, intellectual attainment, personal or civic,
result in the struggle for position.

B3. Desire for Response – arise from the gregarious nature of man, from
his wish for love, friendship, and sociability.

B4. Desire for Self-Expression – urge of man to assert himself as an

individual. To do things in his own particular way….
II. Influences of Nature

A. Climate
A1. Effect on Architecture
A1.1 Plans
A1.2 Structural Elements
A1.3 Protective Elements
A1.4 Circulatory Elements

B. Topography
B1. Mountain Regions
B2. Level Country/Regions

C. Materials
III. Influence of Man
A. Social Condition

A1. Periods – different architectural characters in the different periods of

architecture is shown in the interests of man at that time shown in their
buildings.

A2. Man’s Personality – has a possible trace of comparison between the

personality of a nation as reflected in its clothing and its attitude towards
architecture.
Great Pyramid Egypt,
2500 B.C.
 Greek 650 B.C.

Parthenon
 Gothic Cathedral 13th
Century

Reims Cathedral, France

Alcazar, Segovia. 15th Century

St. Basils, Moscow 16th

Century

Taj Mahal, Agra 17th Century

 French Renaissance 15th-17th
century

Parlement de Ruoen
Chateau de Chambord
 Victorian

Contemporary
 Guggenheim Museum, 1959

WTC, 1972
A3. Man’s Interests
A3.1 House
A3.2 Factory/Workplace
A3.3 Church

• 21st Century Architecture

A. Transportation
B. Commerce
C. Education
D. Rehabilitation
Theory of Architecture I
• Platonic Solids
In architecture, primary shapes that can be extended
or rotated to generate volumes whose forms are
distinct, regular and easily recognizable is a called a
platonic solids.

Sphere
Cylinder
Cone
Pyramid
Cube
Sphere – is a centralized and highly concentrated
form. It is like circle from which is generated, self-
centering and normally stable in its environment.
Globe Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Core Pacific Mall, Taiwan
Cylinder – is a centralized about the axis defined by
the centers of its two circular faces.
8 Shenton Way (Treasury Bldg.)Taiwan
Cone – is generated by rotating an equilateral triangle
about its vertical axis.
 Panoramio, Shanghai, China

St. Mary Axe

Pyramid – has a properties similar to those of the
cone. While the cone is soft form, the pyramid is
relatively hard and angular.

OSHO meditation Complex, Pune, India

Transamerica Pyramid Building, USA
 Cube – is a prismatic form that has six square faces of
equal size, and twelve edges of equal length.

Ted Cube, Taiwan

Water Cube, China

• Regular and Irregular Forms

Regular forms refers to those whose parts are related to one

another in a consistent and orderly manner. They are
generally stable in nature and symmetrical about one or more
axis.

Irregular forms are those whose parts are dissimilar in nature

and related to one another in an inconsistent manner. They
are generally asymmetrical and more dynamic than regular
forms.

Irregular forms can also be enclosed by regular form or vice-

versa.
• Transformation of Forms
Dimensional Transformations

- A form can be transformed by altering one or more of its

dimensions and still remain its family/identity.
Subtractive Transformations

- A form can be transformed by subtracting a volume of its volume.

Depending on the extent of the subtractive process, the form can
retain its natural identity, or be transformed into a form of another
family.
Additive Transformations

- A form can be transformed by the addition of elements to its

volume. The nature of the additive process will determine whether
the identity of the initial form is retained or altered.
4 Basic ways to join two or more forms (Additive)
Spatial Tension
- this type of relationship requires that the two forms be relatively close to
each other, or share a common visual trait such as shape material and
color.

Edge to Edge Contact

- two forms share a common edge, and pivot about that edge.
Face to Face Contact
- requires the two forms to have flat, planar surfaces that are parallel to each
other.

Interlocking Volumes
- two forms interpenetrate each other’s space.
Perception of form
a

a
Theory of Architecture I
• 5 Ways to Configure Form
Centralized Form
Linear Form
Radial Form
Clustered Form
Grid Forms
 Configuration/Organization of Forms
Centralize Form - consist of secondary forms clustered about dominant,
central, parent forms. Centralized forms require the visual dominance
of a geometrically regular, centrally located form such as sphere,
cylinder or polyhedron.
Linear Form - a linear form can result from a proportional
change in a form’s dimensions, or the arrangement of a series
of form along a line. It consist of forms arranged sequentially
in a row.

1. in the latter case, the series of forms maybe repetitive, or

they may be dissimilar in nature and organized by a separate
and distinct element such as a wall or path.
2. a linear form can be segmented or curvilinear to respond
to conditions of its site such as topography, view, or
vegetation.
3. a linear can be used to front or define an edge of an
exterior space, or define a plane of entry to the spaces behind
it.
4. a linear can be manipulated to enclose space.
5. a linear form can be oriented vertically as a tower
element to fix a point in space.
6. a linear form can act as an organizing element to
which a variety of forms can be attached.
Radial Form – are composition of forms that extent outward
from central forms in a radial manner.

1. a radial form consists of linear forms that extend

outward from a centrally located core element in a radiating
manner. It combines the aspects of centrality and linearity
into a single composition.
2. radial forms can grow into a network where several
centers are linked by linear forms.

- the organization of radial form can best be seen and

understood from an aerial view.
* when it is viewed in ground level, its central core
element may not be clearly visible, and the radiating
pattern of its linear arms maybe obscured or distorted
through perspective.
Clustered Form – consist of forms that are grouped together by proximity or
the sharing of a common visual trait.

1. a clustered organization groups its forms according to functional

requirements of size, shape or proximity.
2. a clustered organization is flexible enough to incorporate forms of a
various shapes, sizes, and orientations into its structures.

3 ways to show the flexibility of a clustered organization

1. they can be attached as appendages to a larger parent form or space.

2. they can be related by proximity alone to articulate and express their
volumes as individual entities.
3. they can interlock their volumes and merge into a single form that has
a variety of faces.
Grid Form – are a modular forms whose relationships are regulated by three
dimensional grids.
Theory of Architecture I
kinesthesia
-The sensory experience of bodily position, presence or movement.
-The perception of body position, movement and muscular tensions.

visual auditory

sensory experience

olfactory
taste

haptic
proxemics
The study of the symbolic and communicative role of the spatial
separation individuals maintain in various social and interpersonal situations
color
 Psychological effect of color

Various colors have a strong emotional effect on people. It reflects the spirit of the
people who create it. Color is definitely related to the lives of the individuals and
the material things with which they are associated.

General:
Red- tends to produce rage or passion, courage and vitality. It is exciting and it
stimulates the brain. It has an aggressive quality and is frequently associated with
violence and excitement. It may also suggests fire, blood, warmth, danger, sudden
death, cruelty and sin. It is the most advancing of all the colors.

Blue- typifies truth, wisdom, honesty, loyalty, tranquillity and calmness but may also
mean pessimism, melancholy, and depressed state of mind. It is said to be the
coolest of all the colors.

Yellow- typifies light, brilliancy, joy and cheerfulness. It suggests cowardice, hatred,
treachery and old-age. Yellow also demands attention, and so is used in dangerous
locations, such as edge of a subway plate form hazards.
Violet/Purple- is sedative, soothing and cheapness. It also means royalty, dignity, truth
or suffering. It is the color of distance and shadow.

Green- means hope, life, but may also express jealousy, ignorance and freshness.

Orange- suggests deliciousness, ripeness and warmth. It also has a stimulating effect
and should usually be used in relatively small amounts.

Black- means dignity and strength, as in worn by clergymen, but may also suggests
deepest grief, mourning, and death.

White- is purity, peace, simplicity and cleanliness. It is cheerful, particularly when used
with warm colors like red, yellow and orange.

Gray- suggests cold and also depressing unless combined with at least one livelier
color.
• Color usage

1. Residential
2. Commercial
3. Industrial
4. Institutional
5. Educational
 Red Green

Orange Blue

Yellow Violet
WARM COOL
TERMS TO KNOW
Hue: The name of any color as found in
its pure state in the spectrum.
Intensity : - The brightness or
dullness of a hue.
Value: The lightness or darkness
of a color.
Tint: Color + White
Tone: Color + Grey
Shade: Color + Black
Key Color: Dominant color in a color
scheme or mixture.
WHAT IS A COLOR SCHEME/HARMONY
A Color Scheme is a combination of colors that harmonize with each other.
Mono-chromatic: Using one color (hue) throughout, utilizing that colors
various tints, tones and shades. When using a mono-chromatic scheme using
multiple textures creates character and maintains unity.
Complimentary: Using two colors (hues) that are opposites such as red and
green or violet and yellow. Choose varying tints tones and shades which will
give the bold dramatic effect you are looking for.
Analogous: Using three colors (hues) that are neighboring each other on the
color wheel. These schemes can be warm or cool since colors are adjacent on
the color wheel.
Triadic: Using three colors (hues) that are equal distance apart on the color
wheel, such as red, yellow and blue or using secondary colors yellow-green,
blue-violet, and red-orange.
color wheel
PICK a Pattern: Starting with a pattern is the easiest way to
create a color palette for your decor. Choose a pattern from
any object you already have and love such as a pillow,
picture or piece of furniture. This will be your color palette !

SEE 3 Colors: Select a light, medium and dark color from

your pattern to be used as your foundation. You may want
to go to a hardware store and select color chips from the
paint department that match your pattern to carry with you
in case you come across a great find and need to know if it
matches.

LMD: Light, Medium and Dark - How you use these colors
can affect the overall appearance of your room.
•Light- Is the Background- this is usually easy to achieve
since most rentals are equipped with light to off-white walls.
•Medium- Large furniture and windows - Since the color of
these objects will blend with the above lighter selection, the
medium furniture will ground the room and give it a
foundation.
•Darker- Accessories. Since your eye is drawn to a darker
more intense color you will be able to arrange you
accessories in a manner to guide the eye flowing through
your room.
PICK - SEE - LMD Use it whenever you are trying to pull
together a color coordinated room!
Use of neutrals
Proportion and Color

The best way to describe a proportion is,

size. Color affects a rooms visual
proportion. A general guide line is white
or pale colors make objects recede, while
dark or bright colors draw things closer
which causes them to appear larger.
Theory of Architecture I
• Architectural Concept – means for translating
the non-physical problem statement into the
physical building product.

• The concept of an architect or a designer is

usually called “Big Idea” or “Basic
Framework”.
 Context for Creating Concept
“Philosophy”- is a personal outlook or
point of view.
- distinguished from other ways of
addressing such problems by critical ,
systematic approach or rational
argument.
- the ideas are “abstract” means cannot
be touched.
1. General philosophy and life values of the
designer and some psychological categories
that combine to influence the formation of a
design philosophy.

- Motivation and interests

- Enhancement of self-image
- Immediate and differed goals
- Conservation of what is scarce and valued
- Quest for simplification
- The material and spiritual
2. Design Philosophy of the Designer
- Is embodied thru his training and experience

• Idea is “the more question asked in the problem,

the better solution may arise”.

3. View of the problem by the designer with a specific

design project.

• Idea is “different designers will see the problem

differently”.
Several point of judgement that the designer makes
about his project:
a. Whether the project calls for an architectural
solution.
b. What limits the projects are: what are the project
edges in terms of the designer’s responsibility?
c. What are the categories of concern are within the
project that the designer will use as a checklist?
d. Where does the designer concentrate in his design
efforts on his perceptions of the problems and its
unique characteristics.
 General
Philosophy

Design Designer/A
Philosophy Big Idea
rchitect

View of the
Problem
Saint Andrew Church, Makati, Philippines (Leandro Locsin)
Bank of China, Hong Kong, Archt. I. M. Pie
Nikagin Capsule Tower, Ginza, Tokyo,
Japan By: Archt. Kisho Kurokawa
Baguio Hyatt Hotel
• Design requires creativity
3 Essentials to Development Creative Skills

a. Ideation - to ideate means “to think” and that is of

course, how to train ones self; think in new and
unique way.
b. Idea Quantity – the odds of your coming up with a
really creative idea are best if you have a lot of ideas
from which to select.
c. Imagineering – letting your imagination soar and
then engineering it back to reality.
* Idea “the longer you spend thinking of idea, the
more apt you are to produce great/brilliant idea”
architectural program

problem Project brief

goals Project objectives Design objectives an approach

Design considerations influencing

factors

criteria Programming

studies Design schematics

answer Design solution

design considerations
Form or image, composition, circulation, enclosing
Aesthetics/Geometry/Enclosure
planes and openings

Natural site considerations (Climate, Topography,

Natural Environmental/Context
etc.)

Man-made Environment Ingress/ egress, traffic, landscaping

Spatial/Space and Function Function, zoning, grouping, accessibility and volume

required by activities
Psychology, anthropometrics & ergonomics,
Human Determinants/Factors
culture, religious beliefs, perception and behavior

Building Technology/Systems Structural, electrical, sanitary, mechanical and

special building systems

Local Regulations Land use, codes, laws, ordinances

Economic Building cost, maintenance cost and etc.

design process

Initiation
Identifying a problem preparation
and its context Collection, analysis of data
Establish goals and criteria

synthesis
SWOT analysis
reevaluation
assessment hypothesis
preliminary draft

Action
Final drawings:
alternative
Selection and
feedback Schematics:
implementation
- develop, modify, refine,
Inflect, transform
evaluate
To simulate, test
and modify