THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
ARCHITECTURAL FORM
AR. JERECA MAE R. AMATA
Instructor
FORM
ARCHITECTURAL FORM
• is the point of contact between
mass and space
Properties of Form:
• Shape
• Size
• Color
• Texture
• Position
• Orientation
• Visual Inertia
PROPERTIES OF FORM
PROPERTIES OF FORM
SHAPE
- The characteristic outline
or surface configuration of
particular form. It is the
principal aspect by which
we identify and categorize
forms.
PROPERTIES OF FORM
SHAPE
- Our perception of shape
depends on the degree of
visual contrast that exists
along the contour
separating a figure from its
ground or between a form
and its field.
PROPERTIES OF FORM
SHAPE
In Architecture, we are concerned
with the shapes of:
- Floor, wall, and ceiling planes
that enclose space
- Door and window openings
within a spatial enclosure
- Silhouettes and contours of
building forms
PROPERTIES OF FORM
PRIMARY SHAPES
Circle
- A plane curve every point of which is
equidistant from a fixed point within
the curve
Triangle
- A plane figure bounded by three
sides and having three angles
Square
- A plane figure having four sides and
four right angle
PROPERTIES OF FORM
Shape has visual properties of:
SIZE
- The physical dimensions of
length, width, and depth of
form. While these
dimensions determine the
properties of a form, its
scale is determined by its
size relative to other forms
in its context.
PROPERTIES OF FORM
COLOR
- A phenomenon of light and
visual perception that may
be described in terms of an
individual’s perception of
hue, saturation, and tonal
value.
- It is the attribute that most
clearly distinguishes a form
from its environment.
- It also affects the visual
weight of a form.
PROPERTIES OF FORM
TEXTURE
- The visual and tactile
quality given to a surface
by the size, shape,
arrangement, and
proportions of the parts.
- It determines the degree to
which the surface of a form
reflect or absorb incident
light.
PROPERTIES OF FORM
POSITION
- The location of a form
relative to its environment
or the visual filled within
which it is seen.
PROPERTIES OF FORM
ORIENTATION
- The direction of a form
relative to the ground
plane, the compass points,
other forms, or to the
person viewing the form.
PROPERTIES OF FORM
VISUAL INERTIA
- The degree of
concentration and stability
of a form. It depends on its
geometry as well as its
orientation relative to the
ground plane, the pull of
gravity, and our line of
sight.
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
OVERHEAD PLANE
- Ceiling plane or roof plane
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
WALL PLANE
- Important for enclosure of
architectural spaces
- Active in our field of vision
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
BASE PLANE (HORIZONTAL
PLANE)
- With ground plane of the
building can merge, it rests
firmly or elevated above it
- It has an edge definition
- Surface articulation
(carpet, lawn, paving)
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
ELEVATED BASE PLANE
(HORIZONTAL PLANE)
- Elevating creates a specific
domain
- If surface characteristics
continue up across the elevated
plane, then the elevated one will
appear part of the surrounding
plane.
- If edges are articulated by a
change in form, color, texture,
the field will become a distinct
plateau that is separated from
its surroundings
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
ELEVATED PLANE
(HORIZONTAL PLANE)
- It can be resulted from site
conditions or constructed to elevate
a building from its surroundings to
enhance the image of landscape
- Transitional space between exterior
and interior
- A section floor plane can be
elevated to establish a zone of
space within the large spaces
- Used to differentiate sacred
buildings or any important elements
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
ELEVATED PLANE (HORIZONTAL PLANE)
- Spatial and visual continuity
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
DEPRESSED BASE PLANE (HORIZONTAL PLANE)
- Spatial and visual continuity
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
DEPRESSED BASE PLANE
(HORIZONTAL PLANE)
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
OVERHEAD PLANE
(HORIZONTAL PLANE)
- Similar to the trees, it gives a sense
of enclosure
- It is a space between itself and
ground plane
- Its edges define as the boundaries
- Vertical linear elements, edges of
overhead plane, elevated based
plane, depressed base plane aid in
establishing the limits of a defined
space and reinforce the volume
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
ROOF PLANE
(HORIZONTAL PLANE)
- Offers protection
- Determined by the materials
and structural form
- Roof plane can visually
express how the pattern of
structural members resolve
forces and transfer loads
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
CEILING PLANE
(HORIZONTAL PLANE)
- Reflects the form of
structural system
- Can be manipulated to
define and articulate
spaces
- Form, color, texture, and
pattern of the ceiling plane
can be manipulated to
improve the quality of light,
sound, and directional
quality
ELEMENTS OF FORM
DEFINING SPACE
SINGLE VERTICAL PLANE
- Has frontal qualities
- Has two surfaces or faces which
establish two distinct spatial fields
- Can differ in form, color, and texture to
articulate different spatial conditions
- The height of the vertical plane relative
to our body height and eye level is the
critical factor that affects the ability of the
plane to visually describe spaces
FORM TRANSFORMATION
FORM TRANSFORMATION
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.
FORM TRANSFORMATION
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.
FORM TRANSFORMATION
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.
REFERENCES
• A Visual Dictionary of Architecture by Francis D.K. Ching
• Architecture: Form, Space, and Order by Francis D.K. Ching
• Elements of Architecture by Pierre Von Meiss
• FD Architects Forum’s images and slides
• Ordering Systems: An Introduction to Architectural Design by
Edward T. White
• Principles of Form and Design by Wucius Wong
• The Good House: Contrast as a Design Tool by Max Jacobson
• reviewarchitecture2014.blogspot.com
• shahrilkhairi.com
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STUDY WELL AND
GOD BLESS YOU!
