Tutorial on

Fundamentals of
Architecture

By: Tariku Nigussie (Architect Planner)

Hawassa University
Institute of Technology
School of Civil Engineering

November, 2016,
Hawassa
, Ethiopia
Presentation Outline
 Introduction to Architecture

 Architectural design Process

 Design Determinants

 Principles and Elements of Design applied to Architecture

(Aesthetics)
 Function, Form and Space in Architecture
PROJECT AND REFERENCE
Assessment
•Final Exam 50%

•Design project 50% (six students per group)

Complete working drawing of G+1 cafeteria building with appropriate details

using full A3 Imperial sheet ( Floor plans ,Elevations, site plan and Section)
Reference books:-
Building construction technology, by Melaku Assefa
Building construction part one and two, by Getachew Yimer
Ernst and peter neufert architects data third edition
Architecture form, space and order, second edition, by Francis D.K. Ching
Introduction to Architecture
What is Architecture?
• People need places for their activity

• These activities take place in buildings

• A discipline concerned with design of bldg is Architecture

• Hence Architecture

• the Art and Science of designing buildings and habitable

structures
• What is Art, Science and Design?
What is Art?

• A creative human activity in which materials are shaped

to convey an idea, emotion, or visually interesting form
• The use of skill and imagination in the creation of
aesthetic objects or experiences that can be shared with
others
• Divided into two
• Fine Art: Painting, Sculptor, Music & Poetry
• Decorative Art: pottery, weaving, metalworking, and furniture making.
What is Science?
• The systematic observation of natural events and
conditions
•to discover facts about them and

•to formulate laws and principles based on these facts

• Divided into two

• Natural Science: physics, biology, chemistry

• Social Science: like sociology, economics, geography

• No creativity but based on research

What is Design?

• A rational, logical, sequential process intended to solve

problems
• Involves making a detailed plan of the form or structure
of something
Architectural Design Process
Architectural Design Process
• Design is a creative process

• It is composed of phases and steps

Phases
• Planning Phase: Research & Data gathering

• Generation Phase: Solution creation

• Evaluation Phase: Testing solution

 Architectural Design Process (cont…)

Client Brief

Research Planning
Phase
Design Program

Site Analysis

Zone Diagram
Generation
Bubble Diagram Phase

Schematic Diagram

Preliminary Design
Evaluation
Phase Final Design
 Architectural Design Process (cont…)

Client Brief
• The client has its own needs, testes and objectives

• Your task is to conceptualize and realize the client’s needs

• Client Brief includes

- Size - Religion - Aesthetical

- Age - Profession preference

-Gender - Functional

- Culture preference
 Architectural Design Process (cont…)

Research
• information gathering about the project

• Sources: books, case study, visit, internet

• Project Research includes

- Function - Spatial Relationship

- Standard Size - Special Requirements

- Furniture - Light, View ,Noise

- Fixture
 Architectural Design Process (cont…)

Design Program
• a table consisting of space (room) types & their area

• based on Design Brief and Research

• E.g.
- Living + Dining Rm. …………..30m2
- Kitchen…………………………12m2
-Master Bed Rm. ……….……….20m2

• consult & check weather you attained the client’s need

 Architectural Design Process (cont…)

Site Analysis
• identifying site conditions that affects the design
• these factors include
 Climate
 Circulation
 Urban Context
 Natural & Man made elements
 Sensory Features
 Zoning & Building Codes
Design Process: Zone Diagram
• spaces which have similar & related function form zone
• Zone 1( Living Zone) Lobby, Living Rm, Garage, Veranda etc

• Zone 2( Meal Zone) Kitchen, Dining Rm, Breakfast Rm etc

• Zone 3( Sleeping Zone) Master Bed, Ch. Bed, Bath Rm. Etc

• Zone 4( Utility Zone) Store, Laundry, Traditional kitchen etc

• Zoning helps to decide

-Location - Orientation -Privacy

-Level - Circulation
Design Process: Zone Diagram
Design Process: Bubble Diagram
• zone diagram provides rough layout & arrangement zones

• but it is bubble diagram that provides rooms/ spaces

- Relationship - Orientation

- Location - Circulation

• bubbles represent rooms/spaces

• arrows represent circulation

• bubble diagrams are floor plans in terms of bubbles

Design Process: Bubble Diagram
Design Process: Schematic Diagram
• from the bubble diagram the schematic diagram develops

• schematic diagram is a one line drawing

• at this point, think also about the appearance of the bldg

• spaces start to get exact shape, size and location

•you try a number of schematic diagram untill you attain
the clients needs and tests
Design Process: Schematic Diagram
Design Process: Volumetric Study

• when the plan gets shape, start to visualize the form

• perspective or isometric drawings

• volumetric model

• apply elements of aesthetics

• elements of design

• principles of design

• make as many volumetric study as possible to come up with

aesthetical pleasing form

 Design Process: Preliminary Design

• Develop the schematic diagram to preliminary design

 widening walls
 including openings

 structural elements

 adding furniture

 selecting interior and exterior finishing materials

 type of roof

• includes plans, section, elevations, site plan, 3Ds

 Design Process: Final Design
• you show the preliminary design to your client

• after getting confirmation from client start preparation of

final design
• Final Design includes rendered, dimensioned and labled:
 Floor Plans
 Sections
 Elevations
 Site Plan
 3D: Perspective or Model
Design Determinants
 Design Determinants
• The process of identification and systematic organization of Site (Contextual)
factors(criteria) which guide decision making in the design of buildings
• The process of identifying design determinants

is called Site or Contextual Analysis

•A good design should response to site factors
 Design Determinants (cont…)
Site Analysis List
 Sub Surface Analysis

 Climatic Analysis

 Sensory Elements Analysis

 Circulation Analysis

 Natural & Man Made Elements Analysis

 Urban Context Analysis

 Building Codes
 Site Analysis

Sub Surface Analysis

• these factors include
• Geology: Geological history of the area, bedrock type & depth
etc.

• Hydrology: Underground water table, aquifers, springs etc.

• Soil Genesis: erosion susceptibility, moisture (pF), reaction (pH)

organic content, bearing capacity etc.
 Site Analysis
Climate Analysis
• these factors include
 Temperature

 Altitude

 Rainfall and Snow

 Prevailing wind

 Sun orientation

 Earthquake
 Site Analysis

Circulation Analysis
• these factors include
 Vehicular traffic

 Pedestrian Traffic
 Site Analysis

Sensory Analysis
• these factors include
 Noise

 View - View
Smell + View
 Smell `

Noise
 Site Analysis

Natural & Man Made Elements Analysis

• these factors include
 Greenery

 Topography

 Water bodies

 Existing structures

 Walk way
 Site Analysis

Urban Context Analysis

• these factors include
 Height

 Form

 Materials

 Elements

 Principles
 Site Analysis

Building Code Analysis

these factors include
 Height Restriction

 Function Restriction

 Set Backs Regulation

 BAR- Built up Area Ratio

Principles and Elements of Design
Applied to Architecture(Aesthetics)
Aesthetics - It is a branch of philosophy it deals with
the theory of the principles related to the beauty in
buildings and humanization in architecture.

The following are the elements of aesthetics

Point
Line
Plane
Figure
Form, shape & size
Background
Composition: - Unity, Balance, Rhythm, Harmony, Texture, proportion
etc...
Space :- Negative/Positive, Flow ,Circulation
Mass/volume
Style
Light, shade & shadow
 Visual Design Elements
Six integral components used in the
creation of a design:

Line Space
Color Texture
Form and Shape Value
 Line
Types
Vertical – Represents dignity, formality, stability, and
strength
Horizontal – Represents calm, peace, and relaxation
Diagonal – Represents action, activity, excitement, and
movement
Curved – Represents freedom, the natural, having the
appearance of softness, and creates a soothing feeling
or mood
 Vertical Lines

Skyscraper
Microsoft Office clipart
Madrid, Spain
The Empire State Brandenburg Gate
Building Berlin
Architect: Shreve, Lamb,
and Harmon
Horizontal Lines
Microsoft Office clipart

Wikimedia.org

Community Christian Church

Kansas City, MO
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright, 1940
Diagonal Lines
Curved Lines

Sydney Opera House

Jorn Utzon
 Color
Color has an immediate and
profound effect on a design.

©iStockphoto.com

Microsoft Office clipart

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Moscow
 Color
©iStockphoto.com

Warm Colors
Reds, oranges, yellows

©iStockphoto.com

Cool Colors
Blues, purples, greens
 Color

©iStockphoto.com

Colors can affect how humans feel and act

 Form and Shape

Form: (3D)The shape and structure of something as

distinguished from its substance or material.

Shape: (2D)The two-dimensional contour that

characterizes an object or area.
 Form and Shape

Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus
Berlin, Germany

Oriental Pearl Tower

Shanghai
Architect: Jiang Huan Cheng,
Shanghai Modern Architectural
Design, Co.
 Space
By incorporating the use of space
in your design, you can enlarge or reduce the visual space.

Microsoft Office clipart

Types
 Open, uncluttered
spaces
 Cramped, busy
spaces
Microsoft Office clipart

 Unused vs. good

use of space ©iStockphoto.com

Microsoft Office clipart

 Texture
The surface look or feel of something

Smooth Surface – Reflects more light and

therefore is a more intense color.
Rough Surface – Absorbs more light and
therefore appears darker.
 Smooth Texture

Glass façade of a high Exterior metal façade of Disney Concert Hall

rise office building Los Angeles
 Rough Texture

Park Guell – Barcelona, Spain

Architect: Antonio Gaudí

©iStockphoto.com
 Value

The relative lightness or darkness of a color

Methods
Shade – Degree of darkness of a color
Tint – A pale or faint variation of a color
 Value
©iStockphoto.com

Downtown buildings in Bangalore, India

 Visual Design Principles
Seven principles encompass an interesting
design.
 Balance
 Rhythm
 Emphasis
 Proportion and scale
 Movement
 Contrast
 Unity
 Balance
Parts of the design are equally distributed to create a
sense of stability. Both physical and visual balance exist.

Types
•Symmetrical or formal balance

•Asymmetrical or informal balance

•Radial balance

•Vertical balance

•Horizontal balance
 Balance
Symmetrical or Formal Balance

The elements within the design are identical in relation

to a centerline or axis.

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
 Balance
Asymmetrical or Informal Balance

Parts of the design are not identical but are equal in

visual weight.

Wikipedia.org

Chateau de Chaumont
Saone-et-Loire, France
 Balance
Radial Balance

Design elements radiate outward from the center.

Dresden Frauenkirche
Deresden, Germay Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Milan, Italy
Architect: Giuseppe Mengoni
 Balance
Vertical Balance
The top and bottom parts are equal.
 Balance
Horizontal Balance

The parts on the left and right sides are equal.

©istockphoto.com
Microsoft Office clipart

Hearst Castle
©iStockphoto.com

SanNunnery
Chi Lin Buddhist Temple and Simeon, CA Building façade
Kowloon City, Hong KongArchitect: Julia Morgan Limberg, Germany
Balance

Wikipendia.org
 Rhythm
Repeated use of line, shape, color, texture
or pattern
Types
•Regular rhythm
•Graduated rhythm
•Random rhythm
•Gradated rhythm
 Rhythm
Regular Rhythm

An element is repeated at the same

repetition/interval each time.
Microsoft Office clipart

Microsoft Office clipart Microsoft Office clipart

Cube house design

Rotterdam, Netherlands
 Rhythm

Random Rhythm

The beats of the

element are random
or are at irregular
intervals.
 Rhythm
Gradated Rhythm

The repeated element is identical with the

exception of one detail increasing or
decreasing gradually with each repetition.
Microsoft Office clipart

Left: Stack of rocks used

as focal point in
landscaping

Right: The Chinese Tower

English Gardens
Munich, Germany

www.wikimedia.org Microsoft Office clipart

 Wikipedia.org

Emphasis
The feature in a design that
attracts one’s eye – the
focal point
• Emphasis can be
achieved through size,
Ceiling mosaic in Park Gruell
placement, shape, color,
and/or use of lines Microsoft Office clipart

Microsoft Office clipart

Mosque - Egypt
 Proportion and Scale
Microsoft Office clipart

Comparative
relationships between
elements in a design
with respect to size

3:5 ratio is known as

the Golden Mean
 Movement

Flow or feeling of action

 Contrast
©iStockphoto.com

Noticeably different

Can be created with

 Color
 Proportion and scale
 Shape
 Texture
 Unity
Unity is achieved by the consistent use of lines,
color, material, and/or texture within a design.

©iStockphoto.com

©iStockphoto.com
Function, Form and Space in Architecture
 Function in Architecture
• Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings

• Every building is designed to give services

• Hospital – where patients will treated

• Court House – where you find justice

• Theater – where you see a play

• Hotel- where you recreate

•School – where you learn

• House – where you live

• The serviceability of any building and its design- FUNCTION

 Function in Architecture (cont…)

• The void part of a building - SPACE

• Through which we enter, circulate, wonder and undertake different activities

• The envelop or outer part of a building - FORM

• Which we see, look, observe and admire

• FORM is the envelop of SPACE

• FORM is exterior, where as SPACE is interior of the building

• FORM differentiate out side and inside

• SPACE is voideness

• Both SPACE and FORM have function

 Function in Architecture (cont…)

Functional Aspects of a space of a Building

1. Enclosure

2. Approach & Entry

3. Circulation

4. Light

5. Comfort

6. Size

7. Shape
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
1. Enclosure
• A building houses different activities

• Some activities need differentiation

• Sleeping and Bathing

• Spaces for these activities should

be divided by
• walls, floors and ceilings

• Building Components to divide spaces

are called Space Defining Elements

• FORM is enclosure of interior space

• FORM protects the interior of a building from weather

 Function in Architecture (cont…)

2. Approach and Entry

• To undertake different activities in a FRONTAL

building we should approach and access it

• The process of being near a building

is APPROACH DIAGONAL
• Types of Approach
 Frontal: emphasis front view

 Diagonal: shows effects of perspective ROUND

 Round: emphasis form of building
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Approach and Entry (cont…)
• The gate that allows you to enter in to a building

or rooms of a building is called Entry (Entrance)

• Entry to a building should be emphasized and easy to identify

• Types of Entry
 Flush: on the wall
 Projected: coming out from the wall

 Recessed: coming into the interior

 Function in Architecture (cont…)

3. Circulation
• We need to be able to reach furniture, equipment and other facilities to perform
some tasks.
• A process of wondering through a space of a building - Circulation

• Types of Circulation
 Circulation within a room: interior space
 Horizontal circulation from one room to another: corridor
 Vertical Circulation from one floor to another: Stair, Elevator, Ramp

• Circulation should be
 easy to identify
 comfortable to move through
 sizable enough to allow people and furniture to pass
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Circulation (cont…)
Forms of Circulation
 Enclosed

 Open one side

 Open on both sides

 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Circulation (cont…
• Open one side circulation
4. Light
• To undertake different activities in rooms, we need light

• Light also affects the feeling that we feel in a room

• Sources of Light
• Artificial Light: costly, unfriendly and controlled
• Natural Light: no cost, friendly and reliable

• Combined: good distribution of light

• Natural Light Sources in Building

- Window

- Sky Light

-Glass Curtain Wall

-Open Down
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
5. Comfort
• Ventilation
• A room should have the appropriate temperature to feel the occupants

comfort
• This can be done by replacing existing room hot air by fresh air

• This process is called ventilation

• Two kinds of Ventilation

• Artificial Ventilation

• Natural Ventilation
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
6. Size
• Diff. activities take place in spaces
• In addition to the activities,

the space should be big enough to house

 Users

 Furniture & Fixtures

 Equipment

 Vehicles

 Internal Circulation

• Spatial Functionality Criteria related with size

 Proportion

 Users, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment Accommodation

 Circulation Provision
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Size (cont…)
• Eg. Bath Room Size Determination & Design
• Space for Fixtures
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Size (cont…)
• Bath Room (cont…)
• Space for Activities
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Size (cont…)
• Bath Room (cont…)
• Area Determination
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Size (cont…)

• Bath Room (cont…)

• Final Design
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
6. Shape
• A room or space needs to have the appropriate shape to
 provide the required function
 accommodate the necessary furniture

 avoid wastage of space

 house enough and clear circulation

 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Shape ( cont…)

A. Rectangular Spaces
• Easy to accommodate furniture
• Less wastage of space

• Flexible
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Shape ( cont…)
• Rectangular Spaces (cont…)
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Shape ( cont…)

B. Triangular & Angular Spaces

• Difficult to accommodate furniture
• High wastage of space
 Function in Architecture (cont…)
Shape ( cont…)

C. Curved Spaces
 Difficult to accommodate furniture
 Need Special Furniture
Thank you for your time
and attention!