ORDERING PRINCIPLES

AXIS
SYMMETRY
HIERARCHY
DATUM
REPETITION
RHYTHM
TRANSFORMATION
 Ordering principles is how different
aspects of architecture are put together
to create order in architectural
composition.

Visual methods that allow the form and

space of a building to co-exist in order to
make a design complete.

When things are arranged in a line or

circle, by shape, size, color, or in a
group, it is said they are in order.
Are GUIDELINES for designers

Help to understand what looks GOOD

and why a design or composition seems
RIGHT

Help to EXPLAIN your ideas, and why

they work
AXIS
An axis is established by two
points; a symmetrical condition
required the balanced arrangement
of equivalent patterns of form and
space on opposite sides.

Is imaginary and not visible except

to the mind’s eye.
It has qualities of length and direction,
and induce movement and promote
views along its path.

An axis must be terminated at both

of its end by a significant form or
space.
V I L L A M A DA M A S , Rome
Plan and Façade of TA J M A H A L , India
DATUM
A line, plane, or volume that, by its continuity and
regularity, serve to gather, measure, and organize a pattern
of forms and spaces.
LINE as datum.

An axis can also serve as

datum.

However, a datum need not

to be a straight line.

v
FORM as datum.

A plane can gather the pattern of

elements beneath it.
VOLUME as datum

A volume can collect the

pattern of elements within its
boundaries or organize them
along its perimeter.
SYMMETRY
The balance distribution and arrangement of
equivalent forms and spaces on opposite
sides of a dividing line or plane, or about a
center or axis.
Two fundamental : BILATERAL symmetry
RADIAL symmetry

Bilateral symmetry radial symmetry

Symmetry in Photography
CHARMINAR, Hyderabad.
monument and mosques serve as
a landmark and has become a
global icon of Hyderabad.
V I L L A C A P R A ‘ L A R O TO N DA’,
Italy
HIERARCHY
Hierarchy reflect the degree of importance of the forms and
spaces, the functional, formal, and symbolic roles played in
the organization.

Must be made uniquely visible and appears more important

in comparison to other elements in a design.
Three fundamental : Hierarchy by SIZE
Hierarchy by SHAPE
Hierarchy by PLACEMENT

SIZE SHAPE PLACEMENT

The visual emphasis can be achieved by endowing a form or
shape with:

▪ Exceptional size
▪ A unique shape
▪ A strategic location
Plan of an ideal church
FLORENCE CATHEDRAL, Italy
 MASJID ZAHIR
Alor Setar, Kedah

GREAT MOSQUE OF SAMARA, Iraq

RHYTHM &
REPETITION
Repeating visual elements such
as line, color, shape, texture,
value or image.

Rhythm refers to any movement

characterized by a patterned
recurrence/repetition of
elements or motifs at regular or
irregular intervals.
The simplest form of
repetition is a linear pattern
of redundant elements.

Elements need not to be

perfectly identical but to be
grouped in a repetitive
fashion.

Repetition of size, shape,

detail characteristics.
A visual tempo or beat.

Repetition of elements of art to produce the look

and feel of movement.
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.
TRANSFORMATION
The act, state or process of changing, the conversion from one
form to another

The principle of transformation allows a designer to transform a

typical architecture model through a series of manipulations in
order to respond to the specific conditions and context of the
design task at hand.
THE END