SIGNS, SYMBOLS AND

CULTURAL BASIS OF
ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN

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 WHAT IS SEMIOTICS?

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 SEMIOTICS

THEORY AND STUDY OF SIGNS

AND SYMBOLS, ESPECIALLY AS
ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE OR
OTHER SYSTEMS OF
COMMUNICATION
KEY STUDY INTO THE
EVOLUTION OF HUMAN
CONSCIOUSNESS
DERIVED FROM GREEK
WORD,SEMEIOTIKOS WHICH
DESCRIBES THE ACTION OF
INTERPRETING SIGNS
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We begin with the definition of semiotics. It is a key study into the evolution of human
consciousness. According to English philosopher John Locke, advancement of intelligence
can be tied to these 3 steps: understanding the nature of things, understanding what to do
to achieve whatever you wish to achieve, and the ability to communicate these things to
another.

Language begins with signs.

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 SEMIOTICS

CRUCIAL IN ARCHITECTURE
BECAUSE IT HELPS US
UNDERSTAND HOW BUILDINGS
COMMUNICATE MEANING AND
INTERACT WITH THEIR
SURROUNDINGS

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 WHAT IS SEMANTICS?

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 SEMANTICS

STUDY OF MEANING IN
LANGUAGE AND
COMMUNICATION
OFTENTIMES INTERCHANGED
WITH SEMIOTICS

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 SEMIOTICS &
SEMANTICS

THIS FIGURE IS
OFTEN INTERPRETED
BY DIFFERENT
PEOPLE AS A FEMALE
TORSO

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 SEMIOTICS &
SEMANTICS

CAN ALSO BE
INTERPRETED AS A
DUMBELL

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 SEMIOTICS &
SEMANTICS

OR AS A VIOLIN

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 SEMIOTICS &
SEMANTICS

THIS IMAGE IS AN
EXAMPLE OF A
PICTURE WITH
MANIFOLD
MEANINGS.

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 SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

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 SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

SIGNS CONVEY SPECIFIC

INFORMATION;FUNCTIONAL,
CLEAR AND DIRECT
SYMBOLS CARRY ABSTRACT
OR CULTURAL
MEANINGS;OPEN TO
INTERPRETATION

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 TYPES OF SIGNS

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 TYPES OF SIGNS

1. INDEXICAL SIGN OR INDEX

2. ICONIC SIGNS
3. SYMBOLIC SIGN

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 INDEXICAL SIGNS OR
INDEX

INDICATES CAUSE AND

EFFECT RELATIONSHIP
SUGGEST A CONNECTION
BETWEEN THE SIGN
(SIGNIFIER) AND WHAT IT
REPRESENTS (SIGNIFIED)

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 INDEXICAL SIGNS OR
INDEX

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The perceiver sees these forms as a matter of fact and generally there has been no
intention to communicate on the part of the designer. Indexical signs are learned by the
perceiver over time. They are important for functional reasons.

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 ICONIC SIGNS

SIGNS THAT BEAR

RESEMBLANCE TO THE THING
THAT THEY REPRESENT
TYPICALLY DIRECT AND
STRAIGHTFORWARD IN THEIR
VISUAL REPRESENTATION

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 ICONIC SIGNS

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Use of forms and materials according to their inherent emotional overtones

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 SYMBOLIC SIGNS

HAVE NO INHERENT VISUAL

RESEMBLANCE TO WHAT
THEY REPRESENT
MEANING IS CULTURALLY OR
CONTEXTUALLY ASSIGNED
OFTEN RELY ON SHARED
CONVENTIONS AND
UNDERSTANDING

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 SYMBOLIC SIGNS

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cross for Christianity

Yin and Yang symbol often incorporated in Chinese architecture

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 ARCHITECTURAL
SYMBOLS

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The best way to understand symbolic signs is when we make mechanical, plumbing, and
electrical plans. Each of the symbols used in the plan represents an actual object in real
life.

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 WHAT IS SYMBOLISM?

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 SYMBOLISM

REFERS TO THE USE OF

SPECIFIC ELEMENTS,SHAPES,
MATERIALS,OR DESIGNS
THAT CONVEY ABSTRACT OR
CULTURAL MEANINGS AND
MESSAGES BEYOND THEIR
FUNCTIONAL OR AESTHETIC
PURPOSE

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 SYMBOLISM

BIOGENIC SYMBOLIC SYSTEM

(ENVIRONMENTAL SYMBOLISM)
LEARNED SYMBOLISM
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM
CULTURAL SYMBOLISM

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 BIOGENIC SYMBOLIC
SYSTEM

ALSO KNOWN AS
ENVIRONMENTAL SYMBOLISM
USE OF DESIGN ELEMENTS,
MATERIALS, OR SPATIAL
ARRANGEMENTS THAT DRAW
INSPIRATION FROM, MIMIC,
OR EVOKE PATTERNS, FORMS,
OR SYSTEMS FOUND IN THE
NATURAL WORLD

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This type of symbolism emphasizes a connection between the built environment and the
inherent qualities of the biological or ecological realm.

In a biogenic symbolic system, architects and designers incorporate elements and

concepts from the natural world into their architectural creations. This approach is rooted
in the belief that the natural environment provides abundant sources of inspiration for
architecture. It can manifest in various ways, including the use of organic forms,
biomimicry (design inspired by natural structures and processes), and the integration of
ecological principles into architectural design.

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 BIOGENIC SYMBOLIC
SYSTEM

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One example is the Eden Project in Cornwall United Kingdom.

It consists of a collection of geodesic biome structures that house various plants from
different climates around the world. These biomes resemble giant, transparent soap
bubbles and are inspired by natural forms. The structures evoke the visual aesthetics of
natural habitats, like rainforests and arid deserts, and the interplay of light and shadow
within them replicates the natural experience of being in these environments.

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 LEARNED SYMBOLISM

REFERS TO A DESIGN
ELEMENT, PATTERN, OR
SYMBOL THAT HOLDS
SPECIFIC MEANING OR
SIGNIFICANCE BECAUSE IT
HAS BEEN CULTURALLY OR
HISTORICALLY LEARNED OR
ACQUIRED

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Learned symbols in architecture are often based on conventions, traditions, or historical

events that have endowed certain elements or motifs with particular meanings. These
meanings are typically understood and appreciated within a specific cultural or historical
context, and they may not be immediately obvious to those from different backgrounds.

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 LEARNED SYMBOLISM

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The Parthenon in Athens, Greece, is a prime architectural example of a learned symbol.

The use of classical elements, such as Doric columns, in its design signifies a deep
connection to the cultural and historical legacy of ancient Greece. These elements, which
include fluted columns and entablatures, are not just ornamental but are informed by
principles of classical Greek architec ture.

The Doric order, which the Parthenon employs, symbolizes ideals such as democracy,
order, and harmony associated with ancient Greek culture. While these meanings are
learned over time and may not be immediately apparent to everyone, they are deeply
ingrained in the architectural vocabulary and cultural heritage of Greece.

The Parthenon's use of these learned symbols, which have been passed down through
generations and reinforced by historical and cultural context, evokes a sense of pride,
identity, and continuity in Greek architecture and culture. It also serves as a source of
inspiration and reference for architects and designers seeking to create works with a
strong connection to classical and Greek architectural traditions.

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 RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM

INVOLVES THE
INCORPORATION OF ELEMENTS
OR DESIGN FEATURES THAT
HOLD SPECIFIC RELIGIOUS
MEANING OR REPRESENT THE
BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF A
PARTICULAR FAITH.

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 RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM

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 CULTURAL SYMBOLISM

INCORPORATES ELEMENTS
THAT REPRESENT THE
CULTURAL HERITAGE, HISTORY,
OR IDENTITY OF A PARTICULAR
GROUP, REGION, OR NATION.

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 CULTURAL SYMBOLISM

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 WHAT IS
ARCHITECTURAL
EXPRESSION?

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 ARCHITECTURAL
EXPRESSION

USE OF DESIGN ELEMENTS,

MATERIALS, AND SPATIAL
ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVEY A
PARTICULAR FEELING,
MESSAGE, OR THEME WITHIN A
BUILT STRUCTURE.

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It encompasses how an architectural work communicates with its users, the environment,
and the broader context in which it exists. Architectural expression involves the deliberate
use of form, materials, color, texture, and spatial arrangements to evoke emotions, tell a
story, or convey a specific concept or message.

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 REFERENCES
PHOTOS TAKEN FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
ATHEORY1 LECTURE FROM AR. AURORA PANOPIO

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