THEORY OF DESIGN – II

(ARM404)

4th Semester, B.Arch

Introduction
Unit I: Theory of Antiquity
INTRODUCTION
 Introduction

OBJECTIVE
To provide an insight into the ideas of influential theorists from antiquity to the present time.

OUTCOMES
On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Analyze the design theories of various artists/architects and examine them within various
eras and movements.
- Comprehend the fundamentals of each theory by studying the work of the respective
architect/designer.
- Correlate the various designs of eminent theorists within the framework of a historic
timeline.
 Introduction

SYLLABUS
UNIT I: Theory in Antiquity and Renaissance – Concepts of Vitruvius, Leon Alberti, Andrea Palladio –
Jacques Francous Blondel and Claude Perrault of French Academic Tradition 18th Century

UNIT II: Theory – Ideas of Laugier, Boullee, Ledoux, 19th Century Theory – Concepts of Viollet Le Duc,
John Ruskin, Quatramere de Quincy and Gottfried Semper

UNIT III: Modern Movement Theory – Ideas of Adolf Loos, Eero Sarinen, Erich Mendelsohn, Richard
Neutra, Otto Wagner, Kenzo Tange

UNIT IV: Post Modern Theory – Ideas on Post-Modern Classicism by Robert Venturi, Charles Jencks

UNIT V: Deconstruction – Fundamental beliefs and philosophy. Ideas of Peter Eisemen, Contribution to
architectural thought by Kenneth Frampton, Christopher Alexander, Geoffrey Broadbent, Amos Rapoport
Architectural Criticism – Definition, Sources, Types of Criticism according to Wayne Attoe Jon Lang –
Positive and Normative Theories in Architecture
Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

ANTIQUITY
- Classical antiquity (also the classical era, classical period or
classical age) is the period of cultural history between the 8th
century BCE and the 5th or 6th century CE centered on the
Mediterranean Sea.
- Comprises the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and
ancient Rome, (collectively known as the Greco-Roman world)
- Greek and Roman society flourished and influenced Europe,
North Africa and Western Asia.

RENAISSANCE
- Transitional movement in Europe between medieval and
modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into
the 17th century.
Santa Maria del Fiore,
- Marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence Florenc
- Expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the
beginnings of modern science.
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

Vitruvius

Leon Alberti

Andrea Palladio
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

Vitruvius
Name: Marcus Vitruvius Pollio
Profession: Roman military engineer and architect
Span: 90 - 20 BCE
Notable Work: De Architectura (Ten Books on Architecture)
Buildings: Basilica at Fanum Fortunate

- Architectural theory in the West begins with Vitruvius

Ten Books on Architecture (De Architectua trans. 1914)

- It is the only architectural treatise to survive from antiquity

- consist of dissertations on a wide variety of subjects relating to architecture,
engineering, sanitation, practical hydraulics, acoustic vases, and the like.
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

- It is the only architectural treatise to survive from antiquity

- Consist of dissertations on a wide variety of subjects relating to architecture,
engineering, sanitation, practical hydraulics, acoustic vases, and the like.
- Vitruvius's writings have played a vital role in the Renaissance for it provided an
overview of the art of classical Roman architecture.
- It's in Vitruvius that the classical orders of architecture, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian
surfaced first.
- He developed a System of Proportions
- He wrote, "Symmetry is a proper agreement between the members of the work
itself, and relation between the different parts and the whole general scheme, in
accordance with a certain part selected as standard."
- And later, "Therefore since nature has proportioned the human body so that its
members are duly proportioned to the frame as a whole, . . . in perfect buildings the
different members must be in exact symmetrical relations to the whole general
scheme".
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

- It is the only architectural treatise to survive from antiquity

- Symmetrical relationships to mean the same proportions, rather than some kind of
mirror symmetry. It would use repetition of a few key ratios, to insure harmony and
unity.
- The proportioning system was based on whole numbers.

Canon of Proportions or
Proportions of Man
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

- It is the only architectural treatise to survive from antiquity

- Symmetrical relationships to mean the same proportions, rather than some kind of
mirror symmetry. It would use repetition of a few key ratios, to insure harmony and
unity.
- The proportioning system was based on whole numbers.

- At the beginning of Book-I Vitruvius separates the art into the realms of practice
(fabrica) and theory (ratiocinato).
- Fabrica is the manual activity associated with building and construction.
- Theory rationally demonstrates and explains conventions and proportional systems
governing design.
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

- Proportion is a correspondence among the measures of the members of an entire

work, and of the whole to a certain part selected as standard.
- Without symmetry and proportion there can be no principles in the design of any
temple; that is, if there is no precise relation between its members as in the case of
those of a well shaped man. —Vitruvius, The Ten Books of Architecture.
- The art’s three main principles are strength (firmitas), utility (utilitas), and beauty
(venustas).
- Strength : the soundness of the foundation, the building’s structure, and the
selection of materials;
- Utility concerns the convenient planning and social suitability;
- Beauty is the building’s visual charm that arises chiefly out of proportional harmony.
- Beauty is further defined by six principles : order, arrangement, eurythmy,
symmetry, decorum, and economy.
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

- De Architectura is divided into 10 books:

- Book I - on an architect's ideal education, the principles and divisions of architecture,

fortifications, principles of good town planning, and where best to build a temple.
“Consequently, since such a wide discipline should be enriched, and overflow with
many different kinds of expertise, I do not think that people can justifiably profess
themselves architects at the drop of a hat.“

- Book II - on the origins of buildings and the various materials employed in their
construction such as bricks, sand, stone, and wood, and the various types of walls.
“Build walls two feet thick with courses of red dressed stone, fired brick or ordinary
hard stone in the cavity: then the outer faces should be bound to these with iron
clamps and lead. In this way the wall, which has not been built with just a pile of
material but in courses, will last indefinitely.“

- Book III - on the mathematics and correct proportions of columns and temples. “The
upper diameters of columns should be enlarged to compensate for the increasing
distances for the glance of the eye as it looks up. For our sight searches for beauty.”
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance
- Book IV - on the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian architectural orders, and the various types
of temples and altars. “If the sacred temples of the gods are to lie along public roads,
they should be orientated so that passers-by can see them and make their salutations in
front of them.”

- Book V - on various Roman buildings such as the basilica, the best design for theatres to
obtain the best acoustics, and advice on building harbours. ”The ancient architects,
taking their lead from nature, designed the tiers of seats in theatres on the basis of their
investigations into the rising of the voice, and tried, with the help of the
mathematician's principles and musical theory, to devise ways in which any voice
uttered onstage would arrive more clearly and pleasantly at the ears of the spectators.”

- Book VI - on the effect of climate on character and best foundations and layouts for
private homes. “Bedrooms and libraries should face east since their function requires
morning light, and again, so that the books in libraries will not rot.”
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance

- Book VII - on paving, vaults, and wall-paintings, including the best colours and their
origins and history of use. “Purple has the most prized and most outstandingly beautiful
appearance of all these colours. It is extracted from the marine shellfish from which
purple dye is made, which is as amazing to the observer as anything else in nature.”

- Book VIII – is concerned with water, its sources and conveyance via aqueducts. ”There is
a spring on the island of Cea and those who unwisely drink from it lose their minds; an
epigram is inscribed there which says that a drink from the spring is delightful but that
whoever drinks from it will end up with the brain of a stone.”

- Book IX – on the study of astronomy and its relevance to architectures and the
measurement of time using sundials and water-clocks. ”Archimedes ecstatically jumped
out of the bath without a moment's delay and rushed off home, stark naked,
announcing at the top of his voice that he had found what he was looking for, since as
he ran along, he shouted repeatedly in Greek 'Heureka, heureka’.“
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance
- Book X – describes various machines and gadgets such as distance measuring devices,
water-driven machines, and weapons like catapults, ballistae, and siege engines. “Ropes
are tightened up in the same way by means of hand-spikes and windlasses until they
sound the same. In this way, by keeping the device taut with wedges, the catapults are
'tuned' to the proper pitch by musical testing.”
 Theory of Antiquities and Renaissance
REFERENCES
https://www.ancient.eu/Vitruvius/