ARCHITECTURAL SYNTHESIS

…At the heart of architectural invention is the act of designing,

the activity par excellence of the architect.
In this act, the architect addresses the future, seeking the visual idea
that will accommodate and express the function of his building...

1
 ARCHITECTURAL SYNTHESIS

1. Form, Function, and Materialization

2. Ideas

2
1. Form , Function, and Materialization

1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.

1.1.1. Form:Seeking geometrical order and expression of formal qualities
1.1.2. Function: Seeking adequate performance and expression of spaces
1.1.3. Materialization: Seeking adequate performance and expression of
material elements
1.2. Design is a balancing act: wishing versus needing

3
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.
1.1.1. FORM: SEEKING GEOMETRICAL ORDER AND EXPRESSION OF FORMAL
QUALITIES

4
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.
1.1.1. FORM: SEEKING GEOMETRICAL ORDER AND EXPRESSION OF FORMAL
QUALITIES

5
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.
1.1.2. FUNCTION: SEEKING ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE AND EXPRESSION OF
SPACES

6
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.
1.1.2. FUNCTION: SEEKING ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE AND EXPRESSION OF
SPACES

7
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.
1.1.3. MATERIALIZATION: SEEKING ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE AND
EXPRESSION OF MATERIAL ELEMENTS

The materialization of the is the

creation of the physical shell around the building spaces.

This materialization is concerned with the relationships

between:

8
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.
1.1.3. MATERIALIZATION: SEEKING ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE AND
EXPRESSION OF MATERIAL ELEMENTS

9
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.
1.1.3. MATERIALIZATION: SEEKING ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE AND
EXPRESSION OF MATERIAL ELEMENTS

10
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.1. What we have learned about form, function, and materialization.
1.1.3. MATERIALIZATION: SEEKING ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE AND
EXPRESSION OF MATERIAL ELEMENTS

11
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.2. DESIGN IS THE BALANCING ACT: WISHING VERSUS NEEDING

12
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.2. DESIGN IS THE BALANCING ACT: WISHING VERSUS NEEDING

13
1. Form, Function, and Materialization
1.2. DESIGN IS THE BALANCING ACT: WISHING VERSUS NEEDING

14
2. Ideas

2.1. Ideas Unify Parts into a Totality

2.2. Inferring a Prime Design Idea: Using Metaphors with a Humanistic
Approach
2.3. Theory of Contrast for Aiding Design
2.3.1. Inside and Outside
2.3.2. Exposed and Tempered
2.3.3. Up and Down
2.3.4. Something and Nothing
2.3.5. Order and Mystery

15
2. Ideas
2.1. DEAS UNIFY PARTS INTO A TOTALITY

16
2. Ideas
2.2. INFERRING A PRIME DESIGN IDEA: USING METAPHORS WITH A
HUMANISTIC APPROACH

17
2. Ideas
2.3. THEORY OF CONTRAST FOR AIDING DESIGN

18
2. Ideas
2.3. MORE ABOUT THE THEORY OF CONTRAST FOR AIDING DESIGN

19
2. Ideas
2.3. MORE ABOUT THEORY OF CONTRAST FOR AIDING DESIGN

20
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.1. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST

21
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.1. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: INSIDE AND OUTSIDE

22
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.1. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: MORE ABOUT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE

23
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.2. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: EXPOSED AND TEMPERED

24
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.2. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: MORE ... EXPOSED AND TEMPERED

25
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.3. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: UP AND DOWN

26
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.3. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: MORE ABOUT UP AND DOWN

27
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.3. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: MORE ABOUT UP AND DOWN

28
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.4. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: SOMETHING AND NOTHING

29
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.4. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: MORE … SOMETHING AND NOTHING

30
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.4. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: MORE … SOMETHING AND NOTHING

31
2. Ideas
2.3. Theory Of Contrast For Aiding Design
2.3.5. SOME DIMENSIONS OF CONTRAST: ORDER AND MYSTERY

32
 References
• Architecture: Form, Space & Order, Francis Ching, ISBN 0-
442-21535-5
• Elements of Architecture, Pierre Von Meiss, ISBN 0-747-
60014-7
• Ordering Systems: An introduction to Architectural Design,
Edward T. White, Architectural Media, University of Arizona.
• Principles of Form and Design, Wucius Wong, ISBN 0-442-
01405-8
• The Good House: Contrast as a Design Tool, Max Jacobson,
Murray Silverstein, Barbara Winslow, ISBN 0-942391-05-5

33