THEORY of ARCHITECTURE

ESSENCE OF ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE & ARTS

Greek words
ARCHI = first or original
TECT = the ability to put things
together

Sanskrit root
ARTS = everything in its right
place

THEORY IN GENERAL
• Analysis of a set of facts in relation to one another
• Belief, policy or procedure proposed or followed as basis of action
• An ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles or circumstances of a body of fact on science or art
• A plausible or scientifically accepted general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomenon
Forms/types of Theory
- Descriptive: Explains phenomenon or events; they re neutral and do not lean towards any ideology
- Prescriptive: Prescribes bases or guidelines
- Critical: Challenges relationships between architecture & society
Essence and Composition
- A collection of thoughts, view, ideas
- Organized by theme or topic
- Evolution of thoughts
- There is not a grand theory or unified theory of architecture; it is a combination of various thoughts, speculations, concepts
Form
- In a conceptual form
- Needs to be translated
- From concepts to reality
- Discussed, tested, developed

ESSENCE OF ARCHITECTURE
- Architecture is the process that we instinctively recognize as the genius of growth and creation

- It gives form to the invisible pulses and rhythm of life

- The physical manifestation of the power is a consequence of the desire for the invisible to be made visible

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS

The Architecture of Space  Organizational pattern, relationships,hierarchy

Structure  Qualities of shape, color, texture,scale, proportion
Enclosure  Qualities of surfaces, edges and openings

Experienced through Movement in  Approach and entry

Space-time  Path configuration and access
 Sequence of spaces
 Light, view, touch, hearing and smell

Achieved by means of Technology  Structure and enclosure

 Environmental protection and comfort
 Health, safety and welfare
 Durability

Accommodating a Program  User requirements, needs, aspirations

 Socio-cultural factors
 Economic factors
 Legal restraints
 Historical tradition and precedents

Compatible with its Context  Site and environment

 Climate: sun, wind, temperature and precipitation
 Geography: soils, topography, vegetation and water
 Sensory and cultural characteristics of the place
ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS

SPATIAL SYSTEM STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

ENCLOSURE SYSTEM CIRCULATION SYSTEM

CONTEXT

THE ARCHITECTURE OF:

Space
Structure
Enclosure
• Organizational pattern, relationships, hierarchy
• Qualities of shape, color, texture, scale, proportion
• Qualities of surfaces, edges and openings

EXPERIENCED THROUGH:
Movement in Space-time
• Approach and entry
• Path configuration and access
• Sequence of spaces
• Light, view, touch, hearing and smell

ACHIEVED BY MEANS OF:

Technology
• Structure and enclosure
• Environmental protection and comfort
• Health, safety and welfare
• Durability
ACCOMMODATING A:
Program
• User requirements, needs, aspirations
• Socio-cultural factors
• Economic factors
• Legal restraints
• Historical tradition & precedents
COMPATIBLE WITH ITS:
Context
• Site and environment
• Climate: sun, wind, temperature and precipitation
• Geography: soils, topography, vegetation and water
• Sensory and cultural characteristics of the place

ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS Form and Space Systems and Organizations of:

Physical
 Solids and Voids  Space
 Interior and Exterior  Structure
 Enclosure
 Machines
Perceptual Sensory perception and recognition  Approach and Departure
of the physical elements by  Entry and Egress
experiencing them sequentially in  Movement through the order
time of spaces
 Functioning of and activities
within spaces
 Qualities of light, color,
texture, view and sound
Conceptual Comprehension of the ordered and  Images
disordered relationships among a  Patterns
building’s elements and systems and  Signs
responding to the meanings they  Symbols
evoke  Context (Space, Form,
Function, Technics)

ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS
FORM & SPACE SYSTEMS &
ARCHITECTURAL ORDERS ORGANIZATIONS OF

Physical • Solids &Voids • Space

• Interior & Exterior • Structure

• Enclosure

• Machines

Sensory perception
Perceptual
& recognition of
the physical
• Approach & Departure

elements by
experiencing them
• Entry & Egress
sequentially in time
• Movement through the order of spaces

• Functioning of activities within spaces

• Qualities of light, color, texture, view &

sound
 • Images

• Patterns

Conceptual Comprehension of • Signs

the ordered and
disordered
relationships among a
• Symbols

building’s elements
and systems and
• Context
(space,form,
responding to the function,techniqu
meanings they evoke es)

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

POINT
- The two ends of a line
- The intersection of two lines
- The meeting of lines at the corner of a plane or volume
- The center of a field

LINE
A point extended becomes a line with properties of:
• Length
• Direction
• Position

PLANE
A line extended becomes a plane with properties of:
• Length and width
• Shape
• Surface
• Orientation
• Position

VOLUME
A plane extended becomes a volume with properties of:
• Length, width, depth
• Form and space
• Surface
• Orientation
• Position
FORM

ARCHITECTURAL FORM is the point of contact between mass and space

Properties of Form:
• Shape
• Size
• Color
• Texture
• Position
• Orientation
• Visual Inertia

SPACE DEFINITION

FORM TRANSFORMTION
Dimensional Transformation
a form can be transformed by altering one or more of its dimensions and still retain its identity as a member of a family of forms. A
cube, for example, can be transformed into similar prismatic forms through discrete changes in height, length or width.
Subtractive Transformation:
a form can be transformed by subtracting a portion of its volume. Depending on the extent of the subtractive process, the form can still
retain its initial identity or be transformed into a form of another family.

Additive Transformation:
a form can be transformed by the addition of elements to its volume. The nature of the additive process and the number and relative
sizes of the elements being attached determine whether the identity of the initial form is altered or retained.

FORM AND SPACE

SPATIAL
RELATIONSHIPS
• Space within a Space
• Interlocking Spaces
• Adjacent Spaces
• Spaces linked by a Common Space

Centralized Organization:
a number of secondary forms clustered about a dominant, central parent-form

Linear Organization:
a series of forms arranged sequentially in a row
Radial Organization:
a composition of linear forms extending outward from a central form in a radial manner

Clustered Organization:
a collection of forms grouped together by proximity or the sharing of a common visual trait.

Grid Organization:
a set of modular forms related and regulated by a three-dimensional grid

ELEMENTS OF CIRCULATION

Approach:
the distant view; the first phase of the circulation system during which we are prepared to see, experience and use the building

Entrance:
from outside to inside; may be flushed, projected or recessed

Configuration of Path:
the sequence of spaces ; can be linear, radial, spiral, grid, network or composite
SPATIAL THEORIES

Anthropocentrism:
the human being is the most important entity in the universe. The world is perceived according to the values and experiences of the
human being.
Anthropomorphism:
human qualities are associated with non-human entities/ events. Qualities such as form, values and emotions.
Anthropometrics:
study of measurements of the human body

Ergonomics:
an applied science concerned with the of characteristics of people that need to be considered in the design of devices and systems in
order that people and things will interact effectively and safely.

Proxemics:
The study of the symbolic and communicative role of the spatial separation individuals maintain in various social and interpersonal
situations, and how the nature and degree of this spatial arrangement relates to environmental and cultural factors.

Spatial illusions through:

- Changes in levels
- Bringing outside in
- Borrowing views
- Use of glass and light materials
- Multiplicity of functions
- Two-dimensional treatments
- Use of color