The Aesthetics of Architecture.

1. Architectural Concepts
ARCH-1311 Introduction to Architecture

2. Post and Lintel
In architecture, post
and lintel (also called
a trabeated system) is
a building system
where strong
horizontal elements
are held up by strong
vertical elements with
large spaces between
them. Also called a
column and beam
construction.
The Library at
Ephesus, constructed
by the Romans

3. Corbel Arch
A corbel arch is
constructed by offsetting
successive courses of
stone (or brick) at the
springline of the walls so
that they project towards
the archway's center from
each supporting side, until
the courses meet at the
apex of the archway
(often, the last gap is
bridged with a flat stone).
The arch at Kabah, built
by the Maya of Central
America, an example of
corbeled construction.

4. Cantilever
A beam, girder, truss or other structural member which projects beyond its
supporting wall or column. A cantilever is a rigid structural element, such as
a beam, anchored at only one end to a (usually vertical) support from which it is
protruding.

5. Truss
A structure comprised of a configuration of members
in a triangular arrangement so as to constitute a rigid,
strong and lightweight framework.

6. Suspension
Suspension Bridge: A type of bridge in which the deck (the load-
bearing portion) is hung below suspension cables on vertical
suspenders. Loads are carried primarily in tension.

7. This type of bridge has cables suspended between towers, plus
vertical suspender cables that carry the weight of the deck below, upon
which traffic crosses. This arrangement allows the deck to be level or to arc
upward for additional clearance.
Suspension

8. Orthographic Drawings
An orthographic
drawing represents a
three-dimensional
object using several
two-dimensional
views of the object. It
is also known as
an orthographic
projection.
Plans, sections, and
elevations are
examples of
orthographic
drawings.

9. Orthographic Views
Plan and two
elevations of a
saltbox-style
colonial house.
Heavier lines
indicate walls that
are cut-through,
while lighter lines
represent details of
the building. The
lines outside of the
plan view represent
building and room
dimensions.

10. Design Principle No. 1:
Masses & Voids (courtesy: www.mcmansionhell.com)
The mass is the largest portion of a
building. Individual masses become
interesting when they are combined
together to form a façade. The
arrangement of these shapes to
create weight is called massing.
The primary mass is the largest
shape in the building block.
The secondary masses are the
additional shapes that form the
façade of a building.
Windows, doors, or other openings
are called voids. Voids allow
creation of negative space that allow
for breaks within masses. Placing
voids that allow for natural breaks in
the mass create balance and rhythm
across the building’s elevation.

11. Design Principle No. 2:
Balance
Balance is the relationship
among the parts of a building on
either side of an imaginary
centerline through the middle of
the house. Houses can
be symmetrically or
asymmetrically balanced.
In a symmetrically
balanced building, the shapes on
one side of the centerline match
the shapes on the other side.
In an asymmetrically
balanced house, the shapes may
not match exactly, but instead
have equal visual weight and are
still visually balanced.

12. Design Principle No. 3:
Proportion
Proportion refers to the
relationships of one part of a
façade to the whole. A house that
is correctly proportionate
establishes a visual relationship
between all parts of its exterior.
The voids, and primary and
secondary masses should all be
proportional to one another in
order maintain architectural
harmony.
Another common feature of
proportionate houses is that they
abide by the ubiquitous Rule of
Thirds. Left is an example of a
simple suburban house, whose
proportions properly follow this
rule.

13. Design Principle No. 4:
Rhythm
Rhythm in architecture
describes the use of
repetitive elements in
order to establish
architectural harmony. It is
based off of three main
principles: the principle
of Proximity, the principle
of Similarity, and the
principle of Continuation.
These principles are part
of a larger set known
as Gestalt Principles,
psychological concepts
the mind uses to perceive
patterns.

14. Design Principle No. 4:
Rhythm
The principle
of proximity states that
objects that are close
together should
complement each other.
This is the same principle
that has us grouping four
windows in two groups of
two, rather than as four
individuals. This colonial
revival house properly
demonstrates the principle
of proximity.

15. Design Principle No. 4:
Rhythm
The principle
of similarity refers to how
our eyes are easily able to
group objects together that
share common textures,
colors, or features. A house
demonstrates clutter by
having too many shapes, too
much variety, or seems
generally disorganized. The
same image also
demonstrates the principle
of similarity.

16. Design Principle No. 4:
Rhythm
The principle
of continuation refers to
how the eye will move along
a path in given direction until
it reaches a final point. This
is a useful tool in creating
movement. In our colonial
revival house, continuation
is revealed through certain
architectural details, such as
the continuous fascia and
the aligned headers over the
windows.