FDRE Technical and

Vocational Training
Institute
Theory of Architecture
Dimensions of architecture

By: Tsegaye
Z.
April 2023
 Principles of
design Essentials
of Structure
Architecture – is an inclusive term. It may be
a group of building or a profession. It may
refer to the process of designing a building
and supervising its erection. It may also be
regarded as a procedure assisted with the
conception of an idea and its realization in
terms of building materials.
Architecture is represented by a building
which meets in the satisfactory manner
the requirements of logical function,
sound construction and beautiful
composition.
-Invisible Structure
The plan is the
beginning of a
building. It is the
most important
element of the
volume and should
receive early
considerations
whenever the
solution of the
problems attempted.
“We should
proceed from
Visible
Structure
By enclosing space, volume or
created.
mass is If the surfaces of these
enclosed
volumes interiors
and are treated so
forms
that theare related to human needs,
they maybe regarded as architecture.
then
structure
Visible is composed of form and
surface.
1. Form
Mass or volume
*Direction or evidence
– vertical of 3 axis
or horizontal
of mass
dimension
the
*Shape – geometric
qualities
* 2. Surface
Area – surface with two dimensions
as façade
in a of the
building
*Texture – surface treatment identified
materials whether rough or
with
smooth
*Tone – light and shade caused by
projections,
openings,
etc. – inherent or applied color
*Color
spectrum
caused by
hues
 Form
 Form – In architectural discussion the
accepted definition of form deals with shape
and when the figure is three dimensional, it
becomes mass.
In architectural composition, mass is
more important than surface, in the
design of the building, “we should
proceed from the general to the
particular”, from mass to detail.
Mass can be vigorous or weak; it can
have vitality and strength, or it maybe
indecisive and faltering.
In order that the mass is decisive, it
should be directional. It should be
either horizontal or vertical.
In architecture mass is usually
volume, and the surfaces which enclose
- Volume, a plane
extended in a
direction other than
its intrinsic direction
becomes a volume.
Conceptually the
volume has three
dimensions: length,
width, depth.

Volume is the
quantity of three-
dimensional space
enclosed by some
- Form is the primary identifying characteristic of
volume, it is determined by the shapes and
interrelationship of the planes that describe the
boundaries of the volume.
Visual Properties of Form
- Shape
- Size
- Color
- Texture
- Position
- Orientation
- Visual Inertia
 Shape
 Shape is a planes primary identifying characteristic. It is the
by which we recognize and identity the form of an object.
primary mass
In architecture, we are concerned with the shapes of;
-planes is a flat, two-dimensional surface. A plane is the two
dimensional analogue of a point.
-opening is a space serving as a passage or gap.

-silhouettes is an outline that appears dark against a light

background. silhouette is the image of a person, an object or
scene consisting of the outline and a basically featureless
interior, with the silhouetted object usually being black.

 Primary Shapes
Circle – is a series of points arranged equally and balances
about a point.
Triangle – a plane bounded by three sides, and having
three angles. Square – a plane figure having four equal
sides and four right angles.
silhouet
tes
Platonic
Solids
In architecture, primary shapes that can be
extended or rotated to generate volumes
whose forms are distinct, regular and easily
recognizable is a called a platonic solids.

Sphe Cylind Con Pyram Cub

re er e id e
Sphere – is a centralized and highly
concentrated form. It is like circle from
which is generated, self- centered and
normally stable in its environment.

Globe Arena,
Stockholm
Cylinder – is a centralized about the axis
defined by the center of its two circular
faces.

MIT Chapel Massachusetts Institute

of Technology
Cone – is generated by rotating an equilateral
triangle about its vertical axis.

30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)

Pyramid – has a properties similar to those
of the cone. While the cone is soft form,
the pyramid is relatively hard and angular.
Cube – is a prismatic form that has six
square faces of equal size, and twelve
edges of equal length.
 Regular and Irregular
Forms
Regular forms refers to those whose parts are
related to one another in a consistent and orderly
manner. They are generally stable in nature and
symmetrical about one or more axis.

Irregular forms are those whose parts are

dissimilar in nature and related to one
another in an inconsistent manner. They are
generally asymmetrical and more dynamic
than regular forms.
Irregular forms can also be enclosed by regular
form or vice-versa.
 Transformation of
Forms
Dimensional Transformations
-A form can be transformed by altering one or
more of its dimensions and still remain its
family/identity.

Subtractive Transformations
-A form can be transformed by subtracting a
volume of its
volume. Depending on the extent of the subtractive
process,
the form can retain its natural identity, or be
transformed into a form of another family.

Additive Transformations
-A form can be transformed by the addition of elements
to its
volume. The nature of the additive process will
 4 basic ways to join two or
more forms
Spatial Tension
-this type of relationship requires that the two forms be relatively close
to each other, or share a common visual trait such as shape
material and color.

Edge to Edge Contact

-two forms share a common edge, and pivot about that edge.

Face to Face Contact

-requires the two forms to have flat, planar surfaces that are parallel
toothe
each
r.
Interlocking Volumes
-two forms interpenetrate each others space. These forms need not
share any visual traits.
6 Ways to Configure
Form Centralized
Form
Linear Form
Radial Form
Clustered Form
Grid Forms
Concentric
Forms
 Configuration of
Forms
Centralized Form - consist of secondary forms
clustered about dominant, central, parent
forms. Centralized forms require the visual
dominance of a geometrically regular,
centrally located form such as sphere,
cylinder or polyhedron.
Linear Form - a linear form can result from a
proportional change in a form’s dimensions, or
the arrangement of a series of form along a line.
It consist of forms arranged sequentially in a
row.

1.in the latter case, the series of forms maybe

repetitive, or they may be dissimilar in nature and
organized by a separate and distinct element such
as a wall or path.
2.a linear form can be segmented or curvilinear to
respond to conditions of its site such as
topography, view, or vegetation.
3.a linear can be used to front or define an edge
of an exterior space, or define a plane of entry to
the spaces behind it.
 4 . a linear can be manipulated to enclose
space.
5. a linear form can be oriented vertically as a
tower element to fix a point in space.
6. a linear form can act as an organizing
element to which a variety of forms can
be attached.
Radial Form – are composition of forms that extent
outward from central forms in a radial manner.
1.a radial form consists of linear forms that
extend outward from a centrally located core
element in a radiating manner. It combines the
aspects of centrality and linearity into a single
composition.
2.radial forms can grow into a network
where several centres are linked by linear
forms.
- the organization of radial form can best be seen
and understood from an aerial view.
* when it is viewed in ground level, its central core
element may not be clearly visible, and the radiating
pattern of its linear arms maybe obscured or
distorted through perspective
Clustered Form – consist of forms that are grouped
together by proximity or the sharing of a common
visual trait.
1.a clustered organization groups its forms
according to functional requirements of size, shape
or proximity.
2.a clustered organization is flexible
enough to incorporate forms of a various
shapes, sizes, and orientations into its
structures.
3 ways to show the flexibility of a
clustered organization
i. they can be attached as appendages to a larger
parent form or space.
ii. they can be related by proximity alone to
articulate and express their volumes as
iii. they can interlock
individual entities.their volumes and merge
into a single form that has a variety of
faces.
Grid Form – are a modular forms whose
relationships are regulated by three dimensional
grids.
Determinants of architectural space &
form
Paul Rudolph's Six
o Paul Rudolph breakdown on the six
determinants of architectural form.
o The first determinant is “the
environment of the building, its
relationship to other buildings
and the site” (Rudolph, 213).
o Context becomes important with this
determinant and must be considered.
Paul Rudolph's Six
Taipei Public Library, Beitou
Branch, Taiwan

Bullitt Center, Seattle, USA

 Paul Rudolph's Six
o The second determinant is the functional aspect of
the form.
o Rudolph want the form to be considered as more than
just a kit of parts from a catalogue but rather as a
whole system that conveys an idea.

The Lotus Building, Wujin, China

High-Heel Wedding Church, Budai, Taiwan
Paul Rudolph's Six
o The third determinant is considering where the
building is situated from a region, climate,
landscape and lighting aspect.
o Rudolph suggests looking to the past at architecture
that is specifically designed for a certain area and then
“adapted and spread to other regions”(213).
o If these principles are still carried out, Rudolph argues
“the world would again be able to create magnificent
cities”(214).
 Paul Rudolph's Six
Sculptural Lazika Municipality Building Ushers in
an Era of Climate Responsive Architecture in
Georgia

Cutting-edge Science Center in

Lithuania is topped with solar
panels
Paul Rudolph's Six
o The fourth determinant looks at materials and
being particular in the choice made regarding them.
o Rudolph says that modern building materials that are
not traditional have a sensationalist quality and should
only be used on buildings requiring “great visual
emphasis”(214).

Natural materials make up this This industrial complex has a facade

energy-saving Jakarta home made from its own construction waste
Paul Rudolph's Six
o The fifth determinant is the “psychological
demands of the space” (214), spaces that
transcend the form and become points of emotional
response from the participant.

Color Beyond Aesthetics: The

Psychology of Green in
Interior Spaces
Paul Rudolph's Six
o The sixth determinant is noted as potentially being the
most difficult, in being openly passionate about
some of the forms that have emerged in modern time,
even if this view is not openly accepted.
o Rudolph concludes his article by encouraging the use
of all six determinants of form in architecture.
o These determinants can be added to the architects
toolbox in helping to achieve mindful architecture
while insuring an acceptable standard of design.
I. General Influences On Architecture
A. Needs of Man
A1. Physical Needs
A1.1 Self-Preservation – basic (food, shelter and clothing)
additional to basic needs…..
A1.2 Reproduction – for the population to increase and
continue
to existence
Modern man’s
shelter A1.1.1
Necessities A1.1.2
Conveniences
A1.1.3 Comforts

A2. Emotional Needs – emotional reactions of man have to

do with the instincts stirred by the forces of religion and art
and with the desire to indulge in recreation.
A3. Intellectual Needs – education, science and
government, demand a proper architectural setting.
B. Activities of
Man
B1. Desire for Preservation – in obtaining food, shelter,
clothing and security, civilized man must have commerce,
government and religion.

B2. Desire for Recognition – desire for prestige, pride and

ambition, social status, physical supremacy, intellectual
attainment, personal or civic, result in the struggle for
position.

B3. Desire for Response – arise from the gregarious

nature of man,
from his wish for love, friendship, and sociability.

B4. Desire for Self-Expression – urge of man to assert

himself as an individual. To do things in his own particular
II. Influences of Nature

A.Climate
A1. Effect on
Architecture A1.1
Plans
A1.2 Structural
Elements
A1.3 Protective Elements
A1.4 Circulatory
Elements

B.Topography
B1. Mountain Regions
B2. Level Country/Regions
III. Influence of
Man
A. Social Condition

A1. Periods – different architectural characters in the

different periods of architecture is shown in the interests of
man at that time shown in their buildings.

A2. Man’s

Personality A3.

Man’s Interests
A3.1 House
A3.2
Factory/Workplace
 21st Century
Architecture
A. Transportati
on
B. Commerce
C. Education
D. Rehabilitatio
n
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

Weight:
10%
Requiremen
t
- Gather Platonic
form buildings
all around the
world
- Study their
characters
- Analyse basic
Features
Question
s?