7/4/2020

The Architectural Systems & Orders: Form, Surface, Texture & Tone
Ar. Franz Allan M. Rodriguez

HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE
Department of Architecture
Lecture Content in Theory of Architecture 1 (ARTHEORY1)
1st Semester, Curriculum 2018-2019

Target Program Outcomes (PO):

(a) create architectural solutions by applying knowledge in history,
theory, planning, building technology and utilities, structural concepts
and professional practice
(b) effectively communicate orally and in writing using English or Filipino
Week 3 Learning Output:
•Identify the various types, properties and relationship of forms
• Draw a distinction between Visible & Invisible Structure
• Discuss the Basic elements of Architectural Design.
• Elucidate the relation of Form in Architecture; its variations, visual properties,
transformations & relationships.
• Determine the different spatial organizations.
• Analyze scenarios involving the highlighted topics to advance critical thinking &
abstract ability of each student.
• Analyze the relationship of forms and apply knowledge gained on succeeding
activities in the course
• Display effective communication skills

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THE VISIBLE & INVISIBLE STRUCTURE

•INVISIBLE STRUCTURE – refers to the plan.
The Plan is the beginning of a building. It is
the foundation upon which the scheme of
the structure rests.
•VISIBLE STRUCTURE – by enclosing space,
volume or mass is created. It is basically the
Form & the Surface.

THE •Organizational pattern,

ARCHITECTURE OF: relationships, hierarchy
Space •Qualities of shape, color, texture,
Structure scale, proportion
Enclosure •Qualities of surfaces, edges and
openings

ARCHITECTURAL
SYSTEMS

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ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
A.3. Architecture must accommodate the
following programs:
•User requirements, needs, aspirations
•Socio-cultural factors
•Economic factors
•Historical tradition & precedents

A.4. Architecture must be compatible to its

context:
•Site and environment
•Climate: sun, wind, temperature and
precipitation
•Geography: soils, topography, vegetation and
water
•Sensory and cultural characteristics of the
place

BASIC ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

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BASIC 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

BASIC ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Line - A point extended becomes a

line with properties of:
 Length
 Direction
 Position

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BASIC ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Plane - A line extended becomes a

plane with properties of:
 Length and width
 Shape
 Surface
 Orientation
 Position
 Base, Wall & Overhead Plane

FORM – In an Architectural discussion, the

accepted definition of form deals with shape &
when the figure is three-dimensional, it becomes
MASS.
•In Architectural Composition, mass is more
important than surface. In the design of a building,
“we should proceed from the general to the
particular”.

•General = massing ; Particular = roof, windows,

doors, walls & details.
•MASS – can be vigorous or weak; it can have
vitality & strength, or it may be indecisive &
faltering. If it is correctly composed in an arresting
manner, mass alone will arouse a definite
emotional reaction.
•VOLUME – a plane extended in a direction other
than its intrinsic direction becomes a volume.
Conceptually, a volume has 3 dimensions;
length, width & depth.

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VISUAL PROPERTIES OF FORM

1. Shape: the principal identifying characteristic
of form; shape results from the specific
configuration of a form’s surfaces & edges.
•In Architecture, we are concerned with the
shapes of:
planes (floor, walls, ceilings) that encloses
the space.
openings (windows, doors) within a spatial
enclosure.
the silhouettes of building forms

PRIMARY SHAPES
The Circle – a series of points arranged equally
& balanced about a point.
- the circle is centralized, introverted figure
that is normally stable & self centering in its
environment.
- placing a circle in the center of a field will
reinforce its natural centrality.
- circular plans include: Stonehenge;
Tempietto, San Pietro in Montorio

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PRIMARY SHAPES
The Triangle – signifies stability. When resting
on one of its sides, the triangle is an extremely
stable figure.
- It is used in construction and
design of every description. We see it in the
framework of buildings and bridges. Because it is a
rigid figure, the shape of a triangle cannot be
changed when pressure is applied to it. For this
reason the triangle provides an excellent support
for many structures.
Ex: Trusses on roof; Structural frames.

PRIMARY SHAPES
The Square – represents the pure & the
national. It is static & neutral figure having no
preferred direction. Like the triangle, it is stable
when resting on one of its sides, & dynamic when
standing on one of its corners.

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PLATONIC SOLIDS
Sphere– centralized & highly concentrated
form. It generated from a circle & from any
viewpoint, it retains its circular shape. Example:
Geodesic Dome by Sir Buckminster Fuller

PLATONIC SOLIDS
Cylinder– is a centralized about the axis
defined by the centers of its two circular faces.
It can be extended easily along the axis. The
cylinder is a stable form, if it rests on one of its
circular faces; becomes unstable when its
central axis is inclined.

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PLATONIC SOLIDS
Cone– is generated by rotating an equilateral
triangle about its vertical axis. Like a cylinder, it
is highly stable when it rests on its circular base;
unstable when tipped or overturned

PLATONIC SOLIDS
Pyramid– this, unlike a cone, is relatively
hard & angular

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PLATONIC SOLIDS
Cube– prismatic form that has 6 square faces
of equal size, and twelve edges of equal length.

VISUAL PROPERTIES OF FORM

 Size: the real dimensions of form, its
length, width & depth; the scale is
dependent by its size relative to other
forms in its context.
 Color: the hue, intensity & tonal value
of a form’s surface; color is the
attribute that most clearly
distinguishes a form from its
environment.
 Texture – surface characteristic of a
form
 Position – it is the form’s location
relative to its environment.
 Orientation – A form’s position
relative to the ground plane.
 Visual Inertia – the degree of stability
& concentration of a form.

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THE TRANSFORMATION OF FORM

Dimensional Transformation – a form can be
transformed by altering one or more of its dimensions
& still retain its family identity.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF FORM

Subtractive Transformation – a form can be
transformed by subtracting a portion of its volume.

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THE TRANSFORMATION OF FORM

Additive Transformation – a form can be
transformed by the addition of elements to its volume.
The nature of the additive process will determine
whether the identity of the initial form is retained or
altered.

FOUR BASIC GROUPING OF FORMS

SPATIAL TENSION – this type of relationship requires that the
2 forms be relatively close to each other, or share a common
visual trait such as shape of material of color.
EDGE TO EDGE – two forms share a common edge, and can
pivot about that edge.

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FOUR BASIC GROUPING OF FORMS

FACE TO FACE – this type of relationship requires the two from
to have flat, planar surfaces that are parallel to each other.
INTERLOCKING VOLUMES – two forms interpenetrate each
other’s space.

FIVE DIAGRAMS OF FORMS

CENTRALIZED FORMS – Consists of a number of secondary forms
clustered about a dominant, central, parent forms.

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FIVE DIAGRAMS OF FORMS

LINEAR FORMS – Consists of forms arranged sequentially in
arrow.

FIVE DIAGRAMS OF FORMS

RADIAL FORMS – Are composition of linear forms that extend
outward from central forms in a redial manner.

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FIVE DIAGRAMS OF FORMS

CLUSTERED FORMS – Consist of forms that are grouped together
by proximity or the sharing of a common visual trait.

FIVE DIAGRAMS OF FORMS

GRID FORMS – modular forms regulated by three-dimensional grids.

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