The word “form” has many meaning behind it.

It may imply to tangible

things that a human often sees in their daily life like a chair or the actual human
that sits on it. It may also refer to things that manifests itself like water turning
into ice or steam. It also means bringing some things together or combining to
create other things. In this topic, the “form” in art and design, architectural form
is used to indicate the elements of a structure that characterizes the shape, size,
texture, position, and orientation. In this study, form is the base outline for a
structure to be set up. Form is a sense of three-dimensional mass however a
structure cannot be established if shape isn’t included.

Shape refers to the distinctive outline or surface configuration of a

volumetric form. It is the primary part in which we categorize and recognize
structures. The level of visual contrast along the contour separating a figure from
its background, or a form from its field, determines how we perceive shape.

Along with shape, forms have visual properties of the following:

Size is the physical measurement of length and width of a form, and it

helps in determining the proportion of a form. A form's scale in relation to other
forms within its context is also determined by its size.

Color develops from reflection of light on a surface. We perceive the colors

that are reflected because certain colors are absorbed while others are reflected.
Hue, saturation, and tone all play a role in how we perceive color. Color
distinguishes objects from their surroundings and influences their perceived
weight. Color is the characteristic that distinguishes a form’s environment.
 Texture represents the visual and quality of a surface determined by the
size, shape, arrangements, and proportions of the parts. It also determines the
level in where a form absorbs light.

Forms also have relational properties that rules the composition of

elements:

Position alludes to the place or situation of a form relative to its

environment or the visual field wherein it is observed.

Orientation relates to the direction of a form to the compass points, the

ground plane, other forms, or the person observing the form.

Visual Inertia is the degree of concentration and stability of a form. The

geometry and orientation of a solid in relation to gravity, the ground plane, or
the line of sight are all factors in visual inertia.

Our perceptions have an impact on each one of these properties. We can

see new shapes or aspects of a form from a different perspective or angle. The
apparent size of a form is determined by our distance from it. The clarity of a
form's shape and structure is affected by the lighting conditions under which it is
viewed. Our ability to read and recognize a form is influenced by the visual field
that surrounds it.

Shape

What is Shape?
  Shape refers to an individual thing or body's ability to have an exterior
surface or contour with a particular form or figure. This characteristic
can be present in some specific objects or body forms.

Ex.
 The Bust of Queen Nefertiti
-The eye movements of a subject viewing a picture of Queen Nefertiti. The
bust on the left is what the subject saw; the diagram on the right shows
the subject’s eye movements over a 2-minute viewing period. (From
Yarbus, 1967)

Shape is important to architecture especially in:

 Floor, wall, and ceiling planes that enclose space
 Door and window openings within a spatial enclosure
 Silhouettes and contours of building forms

Here are some of the examples of architectural structures that expresses a

distinctive contour of a plane or figure:

Central Pavilion, Horyu-Ji Temple, Nara Japan, A.D. 607

 Suleymaniye Mosque, Constantinople (Istanbul), 1551 – 58, Sinan

- These illustrations demonstrate how sculpting the meeting point of

mass and space can change the way a building's mass is expressed.

Villa Garches, Vaucresson, France, 1926 – 27, Le Corbusier

- This structure serves as an example of how planar solids and voids

interact in terms of shape.

Primary Shapes

Gestalt psychology states that the mind simplifies the world around it. In order to
make sense of it when faces with the composition of form we usually limit our
vision to simple predictable forms the more recognizable the shape, the simpler
and more regular it will be.
The circle is considered a symbol of unity because all regular
polygons are surrounded by a circle. It is also a symbol of
infinity, a perfect and ultimate geometric symbol with no
beginning and no end.
The most significant primary shapes are the circle, triangle, and square.
Triangle
The plan figure is bounded by three sides and has three angles. The triangles are
found in all aspects of life, but they are often seen in constructions as the most
powerful shape for buildings. They exude a sense of stability and evoke ideas of
power.

Circle
A plane curve each point equidistant from a fixed point inside the curve. A circle
is considered one of the strongest shapes because the stress is evenly
distributed along the arc rather than concentrated at one point.

Square
The plane figure with four equal sides and four right angles. Symbolize order
trust, stability, and being grounded. It’s easier, faster, and more economical to
build out of ordinary materials of stone, concrete, wood, or stick. Squares are
exponentially easier to adjust and usually less wasteful.

The Circle is a focused and introverted person who is usually steady and stable
Self-centered in the environment. Place a circle in the center of the field.
Strengthen its inherent centrality. Associate with Straight or Angular. However, if
you shape or place an element along its perimeter. Apparent rotational motion in
a circle.
Triangle

Triangles are identified by the three angles that are

link through segments to form a three-sided shape

-Triangles are known as the sturdiest figure in

architecture world it is capable of holding its shape
and providing immense support considering any
weight place on them is evenly distributed on all
side, which makes them important when building
strong and stable structure. Therefore, many
structure has frame.

-It also helps measure the forces applied on the building to make sure that the
forces are balance, to make sure the building will not collapse
Equilateral Triangles is by far the
most common triangle used in
architecture. It features three
congruent sides and angles measuring
exactly 60 degrees on each corner. A
popular example of this is the pyramid
of Giza

Another example of triangular

building is the 22 story Flatiron
Building in the New York City,
originally name the fuller
building. It was one the first
skyscrapers in the city that was
completed in 1902 and design
by Daniel Burnham

Surfaces

The realm of surfaces is where the shapes of planes transform into the forms of volumes.
Surfaces refers to any figure with only two dimensions, like a flat plane or a curved two-
dimensional locus of points defining the boundary of a three-dimensional solid. The
geometric family of curves and straight lines can be used to develop a latter class.

Cylindrical Surfaces
Created by sliding a straight line along a plane curve, or
vice versa. For which, due to its straight-line geometry, it can
be thought of as either a translational or ruled surface. It can
be circular, elliptic, or parabolic depending on the curvature.
 Translational Surfaces
Generated by moving a plane curve across another plane
curve or along a straight line.

Ruled Surfaces
Produced by a straight line’s motion. A governed surface is
typically simpler to build and construct than a rotational or
translational surface due to its straight-line geometry

Rotational surfaces
It is generated by rotating a plane curve About an axis.

Paraboloids
All intersections with planes are either parabola and
hyperbolas; parabolas and ellipses. Parabolas are plane
curves equidistant from a fixed line and a point created by a
moving point. While, hyperbolas are formed by the Intersection
of a right circular cone with a plane that cuts Both halves of the
cone.

Hyperbolic paraboloids
Surfaces created by sliding a straight-line segment with its
ends on two skew lines, or a parabola with downward
curvature sliding along a parabola with upward curvature.

Saddle Surfaces.
Consisting of a downward curvature in the opposite
direction that acts like an arch and an upward curvature in one
direction that behaves as a cable structure. Thus, beam
behavior could be seen if a saddle surface’s edges are not
supported.

Primary Solid

Primary Forms like cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders, or pyramids displays light to
advantage. These figures are distinct, tangible within us and without ambiguity, reason why it
is the most beautiful forms. — Le Corbusier
The primary shapes, when extended or rotated, it generates volumetric forms or solids. A
circle generates spheres and cylinder; triangles generates cones and pyramids; and squares
generate cubes. On the other hand, the term “solid” does not refer to firmness of substance,
But rather to a “three-dimensional geometric body or figure”.

Primary Description Application

Form
 •Sphere A centralized and highly concentrated
🔵 solid form produced by the revolution of a
semicircle about its diameter, whose
surface at all points equidistant from the
center. It is self-centering, stable in its
environment and can retains its circular Maupertius, Project for an
shape from any viewpoint. However, Agricultural Lodge, 1775,
when placed on a sloping plane, it can be Claude-Nicolas Ledoux
inclined towards a rotary motion.

•Cylinder
🔵⬛ A solid generated by the revolution of
a rectangle about one of its sides. A
cylinder is centralized and can be easily
extended along on the axis passing
through the centers of its two circular
faces. It is stable if it rests on one of its Chapel, Massachusetts
circular Faces; it becomes unstable when Institute of Technology,
its central axis is inclined from the Cambridge, Massachusetts,
Vertical. 1955, Eero Saarinen and
Associates
•Cone
🔺🔵 A solid produced by the revolution of a
right triangle about one of its sides. Like
the cylinder, the cone is a highly stable
form and can rest on its apex in a
precarious state of balance when resting
on its circular base. Nonetheless unstable Project for a Conical
when its vertical axis is tipped or Cenotaph, 1784, Étienne-
overturned. Louis Boulée

•Pyramid
🔺⬛ A polyhedron form with a polygonal
base and triangular faces meeting at a
common point or vertex called “Apex”.
Even though its surfaces are flat planes,
unlike a cone (soft form), it can rest stably
on any of its faces due to its relatively Pyramids of Cheops,
hard and angular structure. Chephren, and Mykerinos at
Giza, Egypt, c. 2500 B.C

•Cube
A prismatic solid bounded by six equal
⬛⬛
square sides. It is a static form with no
apparent movement or direction, but
become unstable when it stands on one
of its edges or corners. Despite having an
Diwan-i-Khas, Fatehpur Sikri,
angular profile altered by our view point, it
Palace Complex of Akbar the
remains a highly recognizable form.
Great Mogul Emperor of
India, 1569–74

Regular & Irregular Shapes

REGULAR FORMS
 These solids are referred to as Regular forms when their geometric
features are well-defined and dependable. Regular shapes typically have
identical sides and right angles all around. Due to their constant shapes
and angles, they seem more stable. These forms can be altered by the
addition or removal of components while still maintaining their regularity.

Example of Regular Forms

- Even when they are three-dimensionally changed, these shapes can keep
their regularity.

Sphere Cylinder
Cone

Cube Pyramid

Regular Forms is also considered in architectural buildings, just like on the

example below:
A Regular Composition of Regular Forms
 Coonley Playhouse, Riverside, Illinois, 1912, Frank Lloyd Wright
- Wright incorporated finishes like tinted plaster on the walls and rough
sawn cedar wood trim to bring all the vertical features and main horizontal
forms together throughout the structure. But the focal point of the
structure, are its vibrant stained-glass windows. Wright is credited with
creating the "kinder-symphony" windows, which are known as his most
significant window designs. The modernistic composition of circular and
square shapes evokes images of balloons, confetti, and flags from a
children's procession.
-
Irregular Forms within in a Regular Field

Courtyard House Project,1934, Mies van de Rohe

Irregular Forms
- Irregular forms are those whose part are related to one another in an
inconsistent manner. They can be regular forms from which elements have
been subtracted or result from an irregular composition of regular forms.
Almost all the parts/elements of irregular forms are dissimilar from one
another in nature creating a chaotic look for the viewer. All the elements
are placed in a puzzled manner creating a unique design that results out in
a very challenging way to the other surrounding buildings

Example of Irregular Forms

-They are generally asymmetrical and more dynamic.
Sources

http://yourownarchitect.com/properties-of-form-inarchitecture/

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