Adama Science and Technology University

Architecture department
BASIC ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN I

The Language of
Architecture
26 Principles Every Architect Should Know
 INTRODUCTION
This power point outlines 4 of the 8 Groups
Containing the 26 key principles that are essential to
any effective architectural language. Following these
principles helps ensure that written and verbal
information in architecture is clear, precise, inclusive,
well-organized, and easily understood ORGANIZATIONAL
by all
EPHEMERAL
collaborators and stakeholders.
SUBSTANCES DEVICES
Space Scale Infrastructure Datum
Light Movement Order Grid
PRESENTING Geometry
TOPICS
CONSTRUCTIVE
POSSIBILITIES CONCLUDING
Fabrication Presentation
 11. Space

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
Space in architecture refers to the physical volume or area
within a building or structure. It encompasses both the
interior and exterior spaces and includes rooms, corridors,
open areas, outdoor spaces, and the overall layout and
organization of these spaces. Architects consider factors
such as function, circulation, aesthetics, and human
experience when designing and defining spaces within a
building.
…11. Space
Types of space

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
There are several types of spaces in architecture, including:
1. Enclosed Spaces: These are fully enclosed areas within a building, such as rooms
or chambers. They have defined boundaries and are often separated by walls, floors,
and ceilings.

2. Open Spaces: These are areas that are not fully enclosed and may be partially or
completely open to the surrounding environment. Examples include courtyards,
atriums, and plazas.
…11. Space
…Types of space

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
3. Circulation Spaces: These are areas that facilitate movement within a building, such
as corridors, staircases, and hallways. They are designed to provide easy access and
connectivity between different parts of the building.

4. Transitional Spaces: These are areas that serve as a transition between two
different spaces or environments. Examples include vestibules, lobbies, and foyers.
…11. Space
…Types of space
5. Functional Spaces: These are areas designed for specific activities or functions

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
within a building. Examples include kitchens, bathrooms, offices, classrooms, and
auditoriums.

6. Outdoor Spaces: These are areas located outside the building but still considered
part of the architectural design. They can include gardens, terraces, balconies, and
outdoor seating areas.
 …11. Space
…Types of space
7. Negative Spaces: These are voids or empty spaces intentionally left within a

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
building's design to create contrast, emphasize certain elements, or provide visual
interest. Examples include atriums with voids in the center or buildings with cut-outs
or voids in their facades.

8. Flex Spaces: These are versatile spaces that can be easily adapted or reconfigured
to accommodate different functions or activities. They are often designed to be
flexible and adaptable to changing needs.
…11. Space
…Types of space

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
9. Public Space: These are areas within a building that are accessible to the public and
serve as gathering places or social hubs. Examples include plazas, parks, and atriums in
public buildings.

10. Private Spaces: These are areas within a building that are restricted to specific
individuals or groups. Examples include bedrooms, offices, and private lounges.

These different types of spaces are carefully considered and integrated into the
overall design of a building to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and
enjoyable environments for occupants.
…11. Space

Advantage of space

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
Some advantages of spaces in architecture

Architects use space to create a sense of flow and movement

(function) within a building, and to control the amount of
light and air that enters. They also use space to create a sense
of hierarchy and order, to separate public and private areas,
and to define different functions within a building. Overall,
the careful consideration and integration of different types of
spaces in architecture can enhance the functionality,
aesthetics, and overall experience of a building, creating
spaces that are both practical and enjoyable for occupants.
12. Scale

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
In architecture, scale refers to the ratio or proportion between
the size of an object or space in a building and its
representation on a drawing or model. It is the relationship
between the physical dimensions of a real object or space and
its representation on a smaller or larger scale. Scale is
important in architecture as it helps convey the size,
proportions, and spatial relationships of various elements
within a building or a design. It allows architects to
accurately represent and communicate their ideas and designs
to clients, builders, and other stakeholders.
…12. Scale

Types of scale

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
1. Architectural Scale: This is the most common type of scale used in architecture. It
is typically represented as a fraction, such as 1/4" = 1'-0", where one inch on the
drawing represents four feet in real life

2. Site Scale: Site scale refers to the representation of the entire site or plot of
land on a drawing or model.
…12. Scale

….Types of scale

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
3. Interior Scale: Interior scale is used to represent the size and proportions of spaces
within a building, such as rooms, corridors, and staircases.

4. Detail Scale: Detail scale is used to show close-up views of specific building
elements or construction details, such as a window detail or a section through a wall.
It allows architects to provide more detailed information about specific parts of the
building design.
…12. Scale

….Types of scale

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
5. Conceptual Scale: Conceptual scale is used to represent the overall
design concept or idea behind a building or project.

These different types of scale are often used together in

architectural drawings and models to accurately represent
the various aspects of a building or design.
…12. Scale

Advantage of scale

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
1. Accuracy: Scale allows architects to accurately represent the size
and proportions of building elements, ensuring that the design is
properly dimensioned and can be constructed as intended.
2. Communication: Scale drawings and models help architects
effectively communicate their design ideas to clients, contractors, and
other stakeholders. It allows everyone involved to visualize the project
and understand how different elements will come together.
3. Visualization: Scale models and drawings help architects visualize
the final built form of a project, enabling them to assess the spatial
relationships, circulation patterns, and overall aesthetics of the design.

Overall, scale is an essential tool in architecture that helps ensure

accuracy, communication, visualization, problem-solving, decision-
making, and collaboration throughout the design process.
 13. Light
In architecture, light refers to the natural

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
or artificial illumination that is
incorporated into a space. Light plays a
crucial role in architectural design as it
affects the atmosphere, mood, and
functionality of a building. It can
highlight architectural features, create
visual interest, define spatial boundaries,
and enhance the overall experience of a
space. Architects carefully consider the
placement, intensity, and direction of
light to achieve specific design goals and
create a desired ambiance. Light can be
manipulated through various techniques
such as the use of windows, skylights,
light fixtures, reflective surfaces, and
shading devices to control its quality,
distribution, and interaction with
architectural elements.
…13. Light
Types of light

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
1. Natural Light: This is the light that comes from the sun and is
considered the most desirable type of light in architecture.
It provides a sense of connection to the outdoors and can create a dynamic and
ever-changing atmosphere within a space. Natural light can be controlled
through the use of windows, skylights, and light wells.

2. Artificial Light: This refers to any type of light that is produced by

man-made sources such as light fixtures, lamps, and LEDs.
…13. Light
..Types of light
3. Ambient Light: This is the general lighting that fills a space and provides

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
overall illumination. It is typically uniform and evenly distributed to ensure that all
areas of a room are adequately lit. Ambient light can be achieved through the use
of ceiling-mounted fixtures, recessed lighting, or indirect lighting.

4. Task Light: This type of light is focused on a specific area or task, such as
reading, cooking, or working.
…13. Light

5. Accent Light: Accent lighting is used to highlight specific architectural

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
elements, artworks, or focal points within a space. It creates visual interest
and can add drama and depth to a room. Accent lights are typically directed
and focused, such as track lights or wall-mounted spotlights.

6. Decorative Light: This type of light is primarily used for decorative purposes
and adds aesthetic value to a space.
Each type of light has its own characteristics and can be combined in different ways to
create a desired lighting scheme that enhances the architectural design and creates the
desired ambiance.
…13. Light
Advantage of light
The use of architectural lighting in design offers several advantages:

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
1. Enhances the Architectural Design: Architectural lighting can highlight and
accentuate the unique features and design elements of a space. It can draw
attention to architectural details, textures, and materials, creating a visually
appealing environment.
2. Creates Atmosphere and Mood: Lighting has a significant impact on the
ambiance and mood of a space. By manipulating the intensity, color, and direction
of light, architects can create different atmospheres, from warm and cozy to bright
and energizing. This can greatly enhance the overall experience and functionality
of a space.
3. Improves Functionality: Properly designed architectural lighting can improve
the functionality and usability of a space. Task lighting, for example, ensures that
specific areas are well-lit for activities such as reading or cooking. It can also
improve safety by providing adequate illumination for navigation and avoiding
potential hazards.
In conclusion, architectural lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing the
aesthetics, functionality, and overall experience of a space. By utilizing different
types of light and considering their advantages, architects can create well-
designed environments that meet the needs and preferences of the users.
14. Movement

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
Movement through a building or a city is a way of
organizing one’s experience of it, of orienting the body
in relationship to something outside of itself. And while
architectural and urban form and space are typically
static, it is one’s movement through them that constructs
a continuously changing environment.

The sequence of spaces and how one moves through a

building or urban environment has a significant impact
on the architectural experience. Sequence refers to the
organized path or progression of spaces that a person
encounters as they walk through a building or city.
 …14. Movement

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
Circulation and gallery
space are fused in
Frank Lloyd Wright’s
1959 Guggenheim
Museum in New York
City. Here, an enormous
ramp defines the space
of circulation, of art
gallery, of interior court,
and of building form. It
allows for both near and
distant views of the
displayed works, with
the movements of the
visitors defining the
space of the interior.
….14. Movement

EPHEMERAL SUBSTANCES
Multiple movement
systems define the
architecture of Centre
Georges Pompidou,
designed by Richard
Rogers and Renzo
Piano and completed
in 1977 in Paris,
France. Be it the
movement of air, water,
electricity, art, or
people, each system is
given a clear
expression that defines
the form of the
building.
19. infrastructure

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVICES
Physica
l
Infrastructure introduces a systemic order,
an identifiable armature to which other
things can subsequently attach. At a larger
scale, infrastructure often becomes the
connective tissue that links fragments of
existing programs, creating a larger and
more visible network. A series of parks
can establish an urban infrastructural
network, with individual neighborhoods
organizing themselves, both culturally and
physically, around a specific park along
the network. Alternatively, a system of
repeating structural pylons that supports
an overhead viaduct might become an
organizing device that serves as points of
reference for the neighborhoods nestled
below.
 ….19. infrastructure

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVICES
Evanescent
Making visible what is typically
invisible or appropriating
existing infrastructural
elements in surprising ways are
devices that can raise ecological
consciousness, often introducing
an unexpected dimension to an
otherwise necessary, yet prosaic,
function. In other words, while
infrastructural projects might be
motivated by functional
necessities,
they can also provide shelter,
recreational environmental, and
cultural amenities.
….19. infrastructure

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVICES
Exquisitely thin armatures inscribe
pedestrian movement over and
through the Icelandic landscape—
lifting skyward what appear to be
mysterious traces of Viking
passages. Studio Granda’s 2003
Footbridges over Hringbraut &
Njardagata introduce a series of
structural ribbons that tip-toes three
dimensionally across a newly
constructed highway and from
which pedestrians can experience
an expanded and directed visual
field.
 20. datum

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVICES
A line,plane, or volume that, by its
continuity and regularity, serves to
gether, measure, and organize a
pattern of forms and spaces.

Space Spaces are recognizable

references that exist in both
buildings and cities. Spaces with
recognizable shapes—such as
squares, rec tangles, or ovals—act
as orienting devices to which one
often returns
 ….20. datum

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVICES
Horizon The horizon is the
line that literally separates earth
and sky and, as in a perspective
drawing, it is the line of human
sight. In architectural space, the
horizon line is a constant visual
datum that locates and relates
elements that are both below and
above it. It is also the datum shared
by both infinite space and
foregrounded elements. Spatial
depth is shaped by the continuous
dialogue and fluctuation between
this background and foreground.
 POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
23. Order
refers to the arrangement and organization
of architectural elements like; walls,
columns, and openings to create a coherent
and harmonious composition.
Whether because of an innate need or
intellectual desire, much of mankind’s
inventions- artistic or scientific- has
involved a search for order, and for new
systems of order when older systems seem
insufficient we look for order in nature and
if we suspect that it is not there, we find
ways to formulate the disorder to program
randomness to find complex layers of order
in chaos.
Architects use principles of symmetry,
balance, rhythm, and proportion to establish
an order that is pleasing and functional.
Order can be expressed through :
 POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
..23. Order
Repetition
The basic design tenet has always been that; “
like elements should be treated alike,
different elements should be treated
differently.” this is especially helpful in large
complexes like housing and others, whereas
some projects might be designed disorderly
to suggest to observers something mysterious
or ineffable, create an pleasure of an awe in
one’s mind.
Aggregation
When using a repetition, a designer may face
challanges on how to represent its project, or
he/she need to aggregate the designs in some
dramatic and pleased way to sum up and
make disparate elements together to form a
beautiful complex.
 POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
..23. Order

Hierarchical arrangements
Hierarchy can provide an ordering system in which elements
or group of elements while recognized as being related to an
overall whole, are not necessarily of equal significance of the
part to the whole.
Hierarchies are revealed in every aspect of architecture
constitution, this means they are useful in the compositions of
plans, development of sections, disposition of elevations, and
production of distinctive objects or figurative voids. Foe
example, when designing a city hall, it is true that the
arrangement of priority of rooms ( meeting hall, offices, ...)
must be figured out. There are so many uses of hierarchy like;
its socio-cultural, mental uses.
 POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
23. Grid

Grid is a stage in which

something might happen, it exists
in anticipation of an event.
It is a framework of intersecting
horizontal and vertical lines that
provides a structure for the
design and layout of a space.used
as a tool for organizing and
dividing a space into modules or
units. Grid can be rigid and
orthogonal, or it can be flexible
and adaptable to accommodate
different functions and spatial
configurations. architects often
use grids to create a sense of
order, modularity and visual
harmony within a building.
..23. Grid

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
Grid is one of the common needs to start construction, it gives
accessible field of operation to the designer, provides means of
marking locations within potentially boundless fields.
Grids are always implicitly infinite, they can only end because of
predefined boundaries or the intentional decision of the designer.
It can be 2D (flat on the ground or on the surface of a building) or
3D (as in a structural grid). Grids often represent an ideal
condition that can be replicated through out a building or a site.
Example: Grid made with Tatami mats on traditional Japanese
residential construction
Some grids are regular, and some are irregular (may not have a
definite shape) their combination may create a unique
construction. We use grid as References (for locating points and
lines) and Measuring devices (to draw designs).
Grid has rhythm (the circulation of paths of incrementing) and
proportion (the difference in lengths of incremented grids).
23. Geometry

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
A knowledge of geometry not only
provides the architect with the ability to
represent and communicate basic ideas,
but ti is also an essential aspect of
understanding the genuine and
illusionistic aspects of architectural
space, for calculating the actual surface
areas and volumes being described, and
for describing the potential fabrication
of forms to others. Descriptive
geometry prefigures the visual impact
of certain forms, whereas Projective
geometry can prefigure what can be
seen from specific viewpoints and how
complex figures can be broken down
into buildable components.
 24. FABRICATION

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
• In architectural language,
fabrication refers to the
process of creating or
constructing a building
or structure. It involves
the physical realization
of the design concept
through the assembly and
installation of various
materials and
components
 …24. FABRICATION

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
• Construction methodologies—how a material, a detail, or a building is
made—are an important aspect of the design process. Where a knowledge
and appreciation for a specific construction method is privileged and
subsequently embedded within the conceptual development of a work, the
specifics of those methods

1. Structural Fabrication
This involves the construction of the building's framework, such as steel or
concrete columns, beams, and trusses. It requires precise engineering
calculations and careful execution to ensure the structural integrity of the
building
• The act of building can be understood as the result of a process, one
that through a series of steps produces the finished work. the
equipment, tools, and methods that form and assemble the materials are
essential to the characteristics of the finished work.
…24. FABRICATION

Structural fabrication in building

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
….24. FABRICATION

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
2. FAÇADE
FABRICATION
s. The façade of a building is its external envelope, which includes walls,
windows, doors, and cladding materials. Façade fabrication involves the
manufacturing and installation of these elements, often using specialized
techniques like curtain wall systems or prefabricated panel

3. Interior Fabrication
This refers to the construction of interior elements, such as partitions,
ceilings, flooring, and fixtures. It includes tasks like carpentry, plastering,
tiling, and installation of electrical and plumbing systems
….24. FABRICATION

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
4. Custom Fabrication
In some architectural projects, unique or bespoke elements may be required. Custom
fabrication involves the production of specialized components or features that are
tailored to the specific design requirements. This can include custom furniture, lighting
fixtures, or decorative elements.

5. Digital Fabrication
With advancements in technology, digital fabrication techniques are increasingly
used in architecture. This involves the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software
and computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate complex geometries
or intricate details. Examples include 3D printing, laser cutting, or robotic
fabrication.
 25. PREFABRICATION
• Prefabrication in architectural language refers

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
to the process of constructing building
components or entire buildings off-site in a
factory or workshop, and then transporting and
assembling them on-site. This method involves
manufacturing standardized components that
can be mass-produced, allowing for increased
efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reduced
construction time.
• Prefabricated elements can include walls,
floors, roofs, and even entire modular units.
These components are typically constructed
using advanced manufacturing techniques and
materials, ensuring high quality and precision.
They are then transported to the construction
site and assembled using cranes or other
equipment.
25. PREFABRICATION
Prefabrication offers numerous advantages

POSSIBILITIES
CONSTRUCTIVE
in architectural design. It allows for greater
control over the construction process, as the
components are manufactured in a
controlled environment with fewer
variables. This results in higher quality and
consistency compared to traditional on-site
construction methods.
Furthermore, prefabrication can enhance
the design possibilities for architects. The
ability to create complex and unique
modular units opens up opportunities for
innovative and creative designs.
Prefabricated components can also be
easily disassembled and reassembled,
allowing for flexibility and adaptability in
future modifications or expansions.
 26. Presentation

Concluding
• The presentation
drawing or model
represents the
conclusion of a
particular phase of a
design process. Once
the design process is
complete, a
presentation drawing or
model does not serve as
a set of instructions to
construct the work but,
instead, as a device that
embodies and
communicates the most
important ideas,
 Thank you

THE LANGUAGE OF ARCHITECTURE

By: - Nejat Muktar

- Bekalu Tesfaye
- Mahlete Yoseph
- Dedefo Husa