THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

FUNCTIONAL
CONCEPTS AND
THE INTERIOR
ENVIRONMENT
R E S E A R C H
The principle of balance refers to the ordered distribution
of elements of equal visual weight to achieve a visual
equilibrium. Balance is only achieved when the visual weight
of the elements are evenly distributed along a central axis
or point that can be both real and imaginary.

Balance can be achieved by three popular ways namely

Symmetrical, Asymmetrical and Radial. In Symmetrical, a
space is divided into two equal halves centered on a
central axis and both the halves are equally compensated
to give out a calm feel to the living space. In Asymmetrical,
any odd number of elements can be used by keeping an
imaginary central axis as the focal point.

Though asymmetrical balance is a little hard to achieve

when compared to symmetrical, the output is more natural
and energetic when compared to the former.
Radial balance involves a central piece like a chandelier or
a round dining table) from which all other elements seem to
radiate to arrange themselves in circular symmetry.

The principle of Rhythm essentially suggests a connected

movement between different elements of interior design.
This movement is essential to maintain a visual tempo
between elements that have different visual weights.

Elements repeated in an orderly fashion and the spaces

between them create a sense of rhythm. Rhythm can be
achieved in any living space by following these three
methods - Repetition, Alternation and Progression.

Repetition refers to the repeated use of the design

elements like color, texture and pattern or any other
physical attributes like home décor items in an orderly
way. Alternation is the method of creating rhythm by
alternating two or more elements in a pre-defined
fashion like ABABAB or ABCABC and so on. In
Progression, elements are arranged ascending or
descending based or their size, color gradient or any
other distinctive characteristic.

Harmony is the concept of thinking about the project in

its totality. This is very different from just using the same
elements throughout the building! Different parts of the
property should complement each other and work
together to reinforce the completeness of the whole
project. Generally, colour schemes are a great way to
pull different spaces together.
Emphasis, as the name suggests, is a principle of interior
design that says that a central piece of art or furniture
must play the role of a focal point or attention grabber
of a particular living space.
Elements like color, pattern and texture must be used to
emphasize a particular focal point. In fact these
elements must be used in such a way that the focal point
dominates the rest of the décor items and pulls the room
together. Other items that surround the focal point must
complement the latter and share a contrast that puts the
focal point in the top priority.

The principles of scale and proportion ensure that

objects placed in a space look like they belong to each
other. Be it the size, dimension, shape or color of the
objects, a harmony should be established between them
and a proportion has to be maintained. For example, a
high ceiling environment implies that high rise furniture
should be preferred over low rise furniture like ottomans.
Also, under stuffed pillows would make a big sofa look
empty and under accessorized, thus disrupting the
harmony and proportion that is supposed to exist.

To design an interior environment is to improve

the quality of life, to increase productivity, to
protect health and provide safety and the
welfare of its users. Acoustic,
"lighting & colour", temperature, all the
environmental elements surrounding the human
being, in any type of interior function, affect his
way of life, his productivity and his mood.

The main task of the interior designer is how to

realise the proper combination of the interior
environmental elements, to assure the best
function of those interiors and the perfect
productivity of those who use them. The research
aims: to set and define clearly the proper
"quantity quality" as well as the effect of lighting
on colour, in order to increase the productivity of
the human being depending on his functional
performance within an appropriate environmental
interior.