FORM IN ARCHITECTURE

CONTENT
1. Form and Its properties
What is form and are its characters
2.

Types of Form
Primary and irregular forms

3 Transformation
3.
T
f
ti off Form
F
How a complicated form is produced from primary forms

4. Organization
g
of Form
How we group and arrange forms

5. Articulation of Form
How we enhance the aesthetics quality of a form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE

1 . F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S
1.1 FORM
a sense of three dimensional mass or volume
the total visual appearance of a design.
the
th point
i t off contact
t t between
b t
mass andd space
an external appearance that can be recognized
thee manner
a e of
o arranging
a a g g and
a d coordinating
coo d a g thee elements
e e e s and
a d parts
pa s
of a composition so as to produce a coherent image

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
1 . 2 V I S U A L P R O P E RT Y O F F O R M
we

identify form by its Visual Property

Shape

Si
Size

Color,, and

Texture

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE

F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
V I S U A L P R O P E RT Y O F F O R M ( C O N T )

1.2.1 SHAPE
The outline of the configuration of a particular form
Shape is the principal aspect by which we identify
and categorize forms.

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
V I S U A L P R O P E RT Y O F F O R M ( C O N T )

1.2.2 SIZE
The physical dimensions of a form: length, width & height
Proportion: relationship among a particular form length,
width and height

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
V I S U A L P R O P E RT Y O F F O R M ( C O N T )

1.2.3 COLOR
The visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum light
that is reflected byy the form.
Affects the visual weight of a form
Distinguishes a form from its environment

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
V I S U A L P R O P E RT Y O F F O R M ( C O N T )

1.2.4 TEXTURE
The visual quality given to a surface by the arrangement of its
parts
Affects the visual weight of a form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
1 . 3 R E L AT I O N A L P R O P E R T I E S O F F O R M

properties inherited because of its relationship with

it surrounding
its
di

Position
Orientation
O i t ti
Visual Inertia

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
R E L AT I O N A L P R O P E RT I E S O F
FORM(CONT)
1.3.1 Position
The location of a form relative to its environment or the visual
field within which it is seen. ( at middle, back, front)

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
R E L AT I O N A L P R O P E RT I E S O F
FORM(CONT)
1.3.2 Orientation
The direction of a form relative to the ground plane, compass,
person viewing the form .

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
F O R M A N D I T S P R O P E RT I E S ( C O N T )
R E L AT I O N A L P R O P E RT I E S O F
FORM(CONT)
1.3.3 Visual Inertia
The visual stability
y of a form that depends
p
on its orientation
relative to the ground plane

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
2. TYPES OF FORM
2 . 1 P R I M A RY F O R M S
2.1.1 Sphere
A solid formed by a rotation of a circle about its diameter
Self centered and stable in normal position
From any view, it retains its circular shape

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
TYPES OF FORM (CONT)
P R I M A RY F O R M S ( C O N T )
2.1.2
2
1 2 Cylinder
C li d
A solid formed by a rotation of a rectangle about its one side
It is a centered form but can be extended in one direction
Stable on its base position, but unstable when inclined
Its top view is circle and side view is rectangular

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
TYPES OF FORM (CONT)
P R I M A RY F O R M S ( C O N T )
22.1.3
1 3 Cone
A solid formed by a rotation of a right triangle about its axis
It is a self centered form
Stable on its base position, but unstable when inclined & overturned
Its top view is circle and side view is right triangle

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
TYPES OF FORM (CONT)
P R I M A RY F O R M S ( C O N T )
2.1.4 Pyramid
A polyhedron having a polygon base and triangular faces
It is a semi self centered form
Stable in any position except overturned
Its top view is polygon and side view is a triangle

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
TYPES OF FORM (CONT)
P R I M A RY F O R M S ( C O N T )
22.1.5
1 5 Cube
A prismatic solid bounded by six equal square sides
It is easy to combine with other forms
Stable in any position except at its vertex
Its view is square from any direction

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
TYPES OF FORM (CONT)
2.2 REGULAR FORMS
A form of which parts are related one another in consistent &
orderly manner
Stable
St bl in
i nature
t
andd symmetrical
t i l about
b t one or more axis
i
Retain their regularity when transformed dimensionally and etc

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
TYPES OF FORM (CONT)
2.3 IRREGULAR FORMS
A form of which parts are dissimilar and related one another in
random manner
Asymmetrical and more dynamic
Can be regular forms from which irregular forms are subtracted
Results from an irregular composition of regular forms

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M
All other forms can be understood to be transformation of

primary
y solids
the p
Variation of forms can be achieved by
Dimensional Change
Addition of other Forms
Subtraction of Parts

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 1 S H A P E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N

Once we have the initial form in the design process, we can

perform operations
That change its form in some way
The most common shape transformations are:
Rotation
Reflection
Scaling
Translation
Stretchingg
Shearing

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 1 S H A P E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N ( C O N T )
33.1.1
1 1 Rotation
R t ti
A Form transformation by rotating the basic form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 1 S H A P E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N ( C O N T )
33.1.2
1 2 Reflection
A Form transformation by mirror reflection of the basic form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 1 S H A P E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N ( C O N T )
33.1.3
1 3 Scaling
A Form transformation by increasing the size of the basic form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 1 S H A P E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N ( C O N T )
3.1.4 Translation
A Form transformation by repetition of the basic forms

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 1 S H A P E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N ( C O N T )
3.1.5 Stretching
A Form transformation by increasing on dimension of the basic
form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 1 S H A P E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N ( C O N T )
3.1.6 Shearing
A Form transformation by changing the angle of the basic form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 2 C O M B I N AT I O N T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
(CONT)

3.2.1 Addition Transformation

Such transformation is happened by relating or physically attaching
one or more subordinate forms to its volume

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 2 C O M B I N AT I O N T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
(CONT)

3.2.1 Addition Transformation (cont)

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 2 C O M B I N AT I O N T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
(CONT)

3.2.1 Addition Transformation (cont)

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 2 C O M B I N AT I O N T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
(CONT)

3.2.1 Addition Transformation (cont)

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 2 C O M B I N AT I O N T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
(CONT)

3 2 1 Addition Transformation (cont)

3.2.1
(cont )

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 2 C O M B I N AT I O N T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
(CONT)

3.2.2 Subtraction Transformation

when parts of a primary solid are missed, a new form will be
formed
depend on the subtraction process, the primary form may retain
or loose its identity

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
3 . T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F F O R M ( C O N T )
3 . 2 C O M B I N AT I O N T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
(CONT)

3.2.3 Formal Collisions Transformation

w
d

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
4 . F O R M O R G A N I Z AT I O N
4.1 CENTRALIZED FORM

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
4 . F O R M O R G A N I Z AT I O N
4.2 LINEAR FORM

(CONT)

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
4 . F O R M O R G A N I Z AT I O N
4.3 RADIAL FORM

(CONT)

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
4 . F O R M O R G A N I Z AT I O N ( C O N T )
4.4 CLUSTERED FORM

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
4 . F O R M O R G A N I Z AT I O N
4.5 GRID FORM

(CONT)

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5.1 CONCEPT OF FORM
A R T I C U L AT I O N

T H E M A N N E R I N W H I C H T H E S U R FA C E S O F A
FORM COME TOGETHER TO DEFINE ITS
SHAPE AND VOLUME

R E V E A L I N G T H E P R E C I S E N AT U R E O F I T S
PA R T S A N D T H E I R R E L AT I O N S H I P

S U R FA C E S A P P E A R A S D I S C R E T E P L A N E S
WITH DISTINCT SHAPES

T H E O V E R A L L C O N F I G U R AT I O N I S L E G I B L E
A N D E A S I LY P E R C E I V E D

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
5 . F O R M A R T I C U L AT I O N

(CONT)

5 . 2 M E T H O D S O F F O R M A R T I C U L AT I O N
1.

D I F F E R E N T I AT I N G A D J O I N I N G P L A N S B Y C H A N G E I N
C O L O R , T E X T U R E , M AT E R I A L O R PAT T E R N

2.

DEVELOPING CORNERS AS DISTINCT LINEAR

E L E M E N T S F R O M S U R FA C E S

3.

R E M O V I N G C O R N E R S T O P H Y S I C A L L Y S E P A R AT E
NEIGHBORING PLANS

4.
5.
6.

L I G H T I N G T H E F O R M T O C R E AT E S H A R P
C O N T R A S T S I N T O N A L VA L U E A L O N G E D G E A N D
CORNER
L I G H T I N G T H E F O R M T O C R E AT E S H A R P
C O N T R A S T S I N T O N A L VA L U E A L O N G E D G E S A N D
CORNERS
THE CORNER OF THE FORM CAN BE ROUNDED OR
COLORED

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE

5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 1 C O R N E R A R T I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
A. Untreated Corner

If the surfaces of a form simply touch, then the corner remain

Articulation of the form depends on the visual treatment of the

surfaces

Such corner rather emphasizes the volume of a form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 1 C O R N E R A R T I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
B. Distinct Corner

A separate
p
and distinct corner element independent
p
of surfaces

This element articulates the corner as a linear condition

It defines
d fi
the
th edges
d
off the
th adjoining
dj i i planes
l

The corner becomes a positive feature of the form

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 1 C O R N E R A R T I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
C. One Side Open Corner

One of the planes will appear to by pass the other

The opening diminishes the corner condition

It weakens the definition of the volume of the form

It emphasizes the planar qualities of the adjoining surfaces

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 1 C O R N E R A R T I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
D. Two Sides Open Corner

A volume of space will be created to replace the corners

It deteriorates the definition of the volume of the form

It allows the interior space to leak outward

It reveals the adjoining surfaces as planes in space

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 1 C O R N E R A R T I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
E. Rounded Corner

It emphasizes the continuity of the adjoining surfaces

It also features the compactness of its volume and the softness

of its corner

If the
h radius
di is
i small
ll , it
i becomes
b
visually
i ll insignificant
i i ifi

It the radius is large, It affects the interior space it encloses and

the exterior form it describes

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE

5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 2 S U R FA C E A R T I C U L AT I O N
A. COLOR

C O L O R C O N T R A S T N / N A S U R FA C E A N D I T S
SURROUNDING CLARIFY ITS SHAPE

M O D I F Y I N G I T S T O N A L VA L U E C A N A F F E C T
ITS VISUAL WEIGHT

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE
5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 2 S U R FA C E A R T I C U L AT I O N ( C O N )
B. TEXTURE

TEXTURE OF A FORM AFFECTS

Visual weight
Scale
S l off a plane
l
Light and sound reflection quality of the plane

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE

5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 2 S U R FA C E A R T I C U L AT I O N ( C O N )
C . PAT T E R N
Directional or oversized optical patterns can
Exaggerate the proportion of a plane
Distort

FORM IN ARCHITECTURE

5 . F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N ( C O N T )
5 . 3 T Y P E S O F F O R M A RT I C U L AT I O N
(CONT)

5 . 3 . 2 S U R FA C E A R T I C U L AT I O N ( C O N )
D. ELEMENTS OF KNOWN SIZE
A i d o u r p e r c e p t i o n t h e f o r m s
Size
Proportion
Scale