DEBRE MARKOS UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Construction Technology & Management
Department
Architectural Planning & Design
Arch4093
Prepared by: Alene M,
April 2022
 CHAPTER-1
1. INTRODUCTION
BASIC CONCEPTS OF ARCHITECTURE

What is the term

‘Architecture’ mean?
o Engineering?
o Planning?
o Design?
o ART?
Contents;

• Definition of terms,
• Basic elements of Architecture,
• Principles of architecture,
• Codes and minimum requirements,
• Modifying elements of architecture,
• Aesthetic Design & Architecture,
• Climatic and Site Conditions,
• Landscape Architecture,
 1.1. Basic Terminologies
 Art - creating visual, auditory, or performed artifacts.
 Science - any system of knowledge concerned with the
facts in the physical world & its phenomena with unbiased
observations & systematic experimentation.
 Design - an individual’s intension on the arrangement of
elements to be odd and special.
 Plan - an orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design.
 Aesthetics - Conception of beauty or art with a pleasing to
the senses and especially sight
 Definitions of Architecture
- It is a combination of an art & science in designing buildings.
- It is the art or practice of designing & constructing buildings.
- It is he style in which a building is designed and constructed.

?  It involves designing buildings with the aspect of the surrounding

environment based on the human needs.
Why House???  The beginnings of architecture (in prehistoric architecture) can be
• protection traced back to the days of the caveman (living in caves & tents).
• interest  Humans inhabit buildings, because they surround us & create our
• hope
world.
• life end
 It leads us to go back the history of architecture and the birth of
 Basis for the Birth of Architecture;
 Fear: - protect himself from the attack of wild animals and

also from harsh weather. E.g. Caves

 Love: - Instinct (skill) of love. E.g. Taj. Mahal of India

 Hope: - Intrinsic expectations of d/t faith. E.g. Pyramids,

temples, churches, Buddhist stupa.

 Death: - end of humans life. E.g. Tombs and Mastabs
 World eras in
Architectural timeline;

• The Pre-Historic

World (before 3000 BC)

• The Ancient World

(3000 BC to AD 500)

• The Medieval World

(AD 500 to AD 1500)

• The Modern World

(AD1500 to AD 2000)

History of Architecture is the study about

art and science of design and construction
for the typical period of history in the world.
 To create and to achieve a piece of architecture requires engaging with
a process from thinking a design idea or concept.

 These design process follows an arrangement and organization of

architectural elements that promoted in order to solve a spatial problem
based on the conditions of function, purpose, form and context.

 Architecture is generally thought to be a creative field where;

- form is derived by sudden inspiration:
- the memory of something beautiful seen in the past,
- an interpretation of something that catches one’s attention today

 Architectural design is a creative endeavor that comes primarily from the

imagination of its creator, certain principles of order can be used to create
a more cohesive design.
 Quality of Architecture
It is the specialty or uniqueness of architecture to be progressed
and developed passing through different challenges historically.
These are;
•Strength – continuity of architectural works
•Vitality – to be existed forever
•Restraint- keep some limitations and modifications
•Response- problem solving
•Grace- oddness
•Background- Today and yesterday
•Expression of progression- transmission of messages
 Styles of architecture

• Architectural style is a way of classifying architecture mostly

by their morphological characteristics.

Such as;
• Form; - Composition
• Techniques; - Scientific & conceptual approach
• Materials; - organization and finishing

Batter Form + Systematic architectural work + Effective

materials = Aesthetic design = Good Architectural style.
 1.2. Basic Elements of Architecture
Basic design
Before that, basic elements of
Elements:
design are; point, line, shape, form,
1. Line
2. Shape or color, and texture.

Plane
These are developed in to basic elements of architecture includes;
3. Form or
line, Shape or/and plane, form or/and volume, space, color, texture,
Volume
which are;
4. Space
 the fundamental building blocks of any architectural compositions.
5. Color
the basic tools for complete message delivery.
6. Texture
organized together to form a unified composition.
 Line; - is a mark on a surface that describes a
shape or outline. It can create texture with thick &
thin, smooth & jagged, organic & mechanical. 
Main Types:
Provides
Provides Sense of
1. Organic Sense of movement,…
Height,
2. Inorganic spirituality,
growth……
Provides
Hence; Horizontal lines naturalness,
developed in to Diagonal lines freedom,..
• Horizontal line horizontal forms. developed in to
• Vertical line Provides Vertical forms.
Sense of
calmness,
• Diagonal line Curved lines
peace…
developed in to
• Curved line Vertical lines developed in
oval and circular
to Vertical forms.
forms.
Shape; - is a 2-dimensional layout /implied space/ with no thickness.
It can be grouped into two categories;
1. Inorganic/geometric or Mechanical,
2. Organic or Natural

Shape development into Planes;

• A line extended in a direction other than its intrinsic direction
becomes a plane, with Length & Width, but no depth.
• Shape is a primary identifying elements of a plane.

Three generic types of planes in architecture;

 Overhead plane; - either roof plan or ceiling plan
 Vertical side planes; - wall planes.
 Base plane; - floor plans or/and includes the depressed
plane for several basements.
 Shape planner Applications;

Hangar, (Nervi.)
Simple RC horizontal
planner Ceiling
Falling Water, (FL. Wright.)
Simple RC horizontal planner
slabs Schroder house, (Thomas
R.)
Simple rectangular
Vertical planes.
Form; - is a 3-dimensional object with an implied
space or solid part.
It can be grouped into two categories;
1. Inorganic/geometric or mechanical,
2. Organic or natural

Applications;

Cylindrical form

Circular form

Pyramidal form
Cuboid form
Space; - is an implied area for a 2 dimensional area /shapes/ or 3-dimensional objects /forms/. Every form and shape has respective
spaces.

• It can be grouped into two categories; Positive & Negative spaces.

Volume ; - is a 3-dimensional forms (L,W, B) with an implied 3D space.

• It combines form and respective spaces.
• Hence, Form is a primary identifying elements of a volume.

Villa Savoy (Le-Cur-busier) Campidoglio (Rome)

Building forms that stand in a landscape Building forms define volume of spaces
can be perceived as occupying volume
in space.
Color ;- refers to specific hues.
It has 3 properties; Chroma, Intensity and Value.
The range of values can be changed by adding white to lighten or tint a
color.
Adding black will create a shade of the original color which will appear
darker.  
Intensity- power of attraction & beauty to the viewer
Contrast is the extreme changes between values.
Texture; is the degree of roughness or smoothness in objects.

Types;-

a) Visual texture(implied) –surface quality w/h can be seen but not felt
b) Actual texture(tactile) –quality of surface w/h can both seen & feel.
 Basic Principles of
Architecture; 1.3. Principles of Architecture
1. Axis
2. Symmetry  Before architectural principles, it is important to remind basic
3. Hierarchy
4. Datum design principles, which are the basic organization guidelines for
5. Rhythm any design. These includes; balance, proportion, scale, unity,
6. Transformation
contrast, harmony, emphasis, rhythm, pattern, movement, etc.
Other design Principles;
1. Balance  These are traced in to the basic principles of architecture. Hence
2. Proportion
3. Scale a principle is the enforced way an entity works, producing results. 
4. Unity & Proximity
5. Variety & Contrast
6. Harmony  Architectural principles define the underlying general rules &
7. Rhythm
8. Dominance & Emphasis
guidelines for the use & organization of all resources and assets
9. Rhythm & Repetition
10. Pattern & Alignment
that used in the creation of architectural design.
11. Movement & graduation
 There are 6 ordering architectural principles, which includes;

Axis
Symmetry

Hierarchy

Rhythm

Datum

Transformation
 A. Axis
• is the most basic and most common organizing principle.
• is an imaginary line used to organize a group of elements in a design.
• In diagrams, axis is represented as a dashed line.
• An axis can be established by defining edges along its length.
• It is mainly used creating alignment of elements for better ordering.
SYMMETRIC
B. Symmetry

 It is organizing elements in the on both sides of a symmetric

reference axis, basic for the concept of balance.
 Two types; Symmetrical or balanced symmetry, &
asymmetrical or unbalanced symmetry.
1. Symmetrical or balanced; equal or similarly arranging
elements to both sides of a design. It feels harmonious to the
both sides.
ASSYMMETRIC
2. Asymmetrical designs; are the arrangement of elements on
both sides of an axis to be different but with equal visual
weight.
 C. Rhythm
 In design, rhythm is the regular, harmonious recurrence of a
specific element, often a single specific entity coming from the
categories of line, shape, form, colour, light, shadow, & sound.
 The rule Creating Rhythm; Rhythm can be formed by;
• Repetition in forms (regular rhythm)
• >> in structure (structure >>) • By radiation

• >> in lights (reflective >>) • By repetition

• >> in functions (spatial >>)
• By graduation
• >> in movement (flowing >>)
• >> in process (iterative >>) • By opposition

• >> in growth (progressive >>) • By transition

 D. Datum
 A line, plane, or volume that its continuity and regularity serves
to gather, measure, and organize a pattern of forms and spaces.
 A datum refers to a line, plane, or volume of reference to
which other elements in a composition can relate.
 A Datum is a form which ties together or anchor all the
elements of the design.
 It can be a line, like a road with houses arranged in along its
length, a flat pane or even a 3d space.
 Most of building shares a plane which act as a clear datum,
which is the ground on which they are built.
 Given a random organization of dissimilar elements, a datum can organize the
elements in the following ways:
1. Line Datum;
A line can cut through a common edge for the
pattern, while a grid of lines can form a neutral,
unifying field for the pattern.

2. Plane Datum;
A plane can gather the pattern of elements
beneath it or serve as an encompassing
background for the elements and frame them in
its field.

3. Volume Datum;
A volume can collect the pattern of elements
within its boundaries or organize them along its
perimeter.
 E. Hierarchy

Achieved By;  It is an arrangement of items or elements in which the items are

 Size represented as being above, below, or at the same level as one
 Shape another as desired or depending on the priority of design and its
 Placement importance in the set.
 F. Transformation

• The principle that an architectural concept, structure, or

organization can be altered through a series of discrete
manipulations and permutations.
• It could be happened in response to a specific context or
set of conditions without a loss of identity or concept.
• For example; see the change of the shapes on the figures
from Cross to T-shape, then to L-shape.
• The transformation is for both space and form.
Proportion
Other Principles of design used in Architecture
 Balance;- a sense of equilibrium that developed in to symmetry,
Scale which can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance.
 Proportion;- relates to the parts of the object and how one part
Harmony relates to another.
 Scale;- relates to the size of a design in relation to the height and
width of the area in which it is placed.
Emphasis
 Unity;- occurs when all the parts of a home or room are related
by one idea.
 Variety;- occurs, when two or more different elements of design
Contrast, variety and
unity
are used to add interest to a design.
 Harmony;- achieved, when all the pieces work together.
 Emphasis;- is the center or focus of attention and interest within
a design.
 1.4. Architectural design Codes & requirements

NB; - You will  Building codes specify minimum standards for the construction
study the standards
of buildings. The codes themselves are not legally binding. They
of low rise
serve, rather, as "models" for legal jurisdictions to utilize when
residential
buildings in the developing statutes and regulations.
Literature review of  The main purpose of building codes are to protect public health,
your design process safety and general welfare as they relate to the construction and
in CH-III.
occupancy of buildings and structures.
 The building code becomes law of a particular jurisdiction when
formally enacted by the appropriate governmental or private
authority.
Basic Modifying
1.5. Modifying Elements of Architecture
elements;
 Used to change basic elements in to realistic characteristic.
• Light,
 In their physical realization and our actual experience of them,
• Colour,
 Basic Architectural elements could be modified by as
• Temperature,
• Ventilation identification of a place by different identified elements, as

• Textures indicated here.

• Time,
• Scale,
• Effects
• Sound,
• Smell, ....
 1.6. Aesthetic Design
 Aesthetics derives from the Greek aisthetikos,
meaning "of sense perception." 
 Aesthetics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the
nature and expression of beauty.
 Is the study of beauty in nature.
 Best designs usually look good & aesthetically pleasing.
 The aesthetics are usually accomplished by the shape,
texture, colour, type of material with principles like
symmetry & simplicity of the repeated pattern, and so on.
 1.7. Landscape Architecture

Landscaping refers to any activity Landscape architecture is concerned

that modifies the visible features with design of land and water to be used
of an area of land. by the society, which is a reflection of
dynamic, natural and social systems.

Historically, there are four definable

practices & related types with landscape
arch’re;

a) Landscape evaluation and planning

b) Site planning
c) Detailed landscape design
d) Urban design
 1.8. Sustainability Issues in Architecture

Green building is the practice of use of green

resources in our building namely; energy,
material, and water with increased efficiency in
buildings.

Recycling is the practice of recovering used

materials from waste stream and then incorporating
those same materials into manufacturing process.

Vernacular architecture is a category of architecture based on

local needs, construction materials and reflecting local traditions.
 1.9. Climatic & Site Conditions in Architecture

• Climate is one of the most important factors that affect buildings.

• Location, orientation or direction, and other aspects should be analyzed

and applied correctly to provide the best climate comfort of indoors.

• Climatic comfort conditions in a building shall be achieved by natural
contextual design solutions, which is the response of aspect analysis.
• But, the means of economic usage of building materials, artificial
assemblage systems like mechanical systems could be properly provided.
• Climatic components such as; - sunrays, air temperature, relative
humidity, precipitation, & others affect the formation of internal
environmental climatic conditions.
Building characteristics in Major climatic zones;

I. In Cold Climate Region

Characteristics; - rainy and cool weather.
Principle; - for max. heat gain & min. heat loss
Design approach; -
• Multi-layered & nested interiors.
• Using minimum floor area
• Minimize Segmented architecture in urban scale
• Natural materials; bricks & adobe bricks shall be used for
construction (high heat storage capacities)
II. In Mild Climate Region
Characteristics; - Most suitable type, minimum temperature difference
between summer and winter.
Principle; - allow cooling effect during summer & protect cold weather
during winter season.
Design approach; -
• Orientation of high buildings should be according to the wind effect.
• Surface coating materials such as grass, soil, asphalt, stone, etc. should
be used in the spaces between buildings.
• Considering d/t mechanisms in response to the summer & winter
seasons (double coating for winter & wall insulation for summer).
• Sloping roofs are used preferably.
III. In Hot-Humid Climate Region
Characteristics; - excessive humidity, pestiferous excessive heat observed.
Principle; - to allow cool wind from both directions, excessive sun and
humidity are prevented.
Design approach; -
• court yard formations.
• un-nested texture is dominant.
• insulated roofs are used for sun & rain protection & the environment.
• airflows are generated by leaving spaces b/n the roof & the buildings.
• ground floors generally have thick walls and fewer windows whereas upper
floors have more windows.
• balconies and windows are provided to the wind direction
• wide-sided roofs that look like hats for rain protection.
 1.10. Summary
Elements of

• What do you understand about Architecture? design

• How Architecture have had begun? +

• Define Elements of Architecture? Principles of

• Describe Principles of Architecture? From history of design

• What are Design standards, please? architecture +

• Do you initiate for Aesthetic design? Approaches &

• Examine Landscape design to architectural design? standards

• Does the issue of Sustainability contribute to the =

climate change & global warming in Architecture? Aesthetic design

THANKS TO
YOU!!!