This document defines and describes key design elements and principles of architecture. It discusses points, lines, planes and volumes as basic elements that make up designed spaces. It then explains principles of ordering spaces including axis, symmetry, hierarchy, datum, rhythm, and transformation. Axis and symmetry help organize balanced and symmetrical arrangements. Hierarchy uses size, shape or placement to indicate importance. Datum and rhythm create continuity and repetition. Transformation alters designs while maintaining core concepts.

1. DESIGN ELEMENTS AND
PRINCIPLES

2. POINTA point marks a position in space
It is static, centralized and
directionless
It can mark-
 the two ends of line
the intersection of two lines
the meeting of lines at corner of a
plane or volume
the center of a field
Within a visual field:
At the center- it is stable and at
rest and dominating the field.
When moved off center- field
becomes more aggressive.
Visual tension is created
A point has no dimension.

3. To mark a position in space, a point must be projected vertically
into a linear form as a column, obelisk or tower.
Two points established in space by columnar elements or
centralized forms can define an axis.
In plan two points can denote a gateway signifying a passage.
When extended vertically defines both plane of entry and an
approach perpendicular to it.

4. LINEA point extended becomes a line.
It has length but no width or depth.
A line is the path of a point in motion and is capable
of visually expressing direction, movement and
growth.
It can serve to-
Join link support surround or intersect other visual
elements.
Describe the edges and give shape to planes.
Articulate the surface of planes.
A vertical line can express a state of equilibrium
with the force of gravity.
A horizontal line can represent stability.
An oblique line is deviation from the vertical or
horizontal. It is dynamic and visually active in its
unbalanced state.

5. Vertical linear elements such as columns, obelisks
and towers establish particular points in space.
Vertical linear
elements may
define
transparent
volume of space
i. e. outline a
spatial field.
Linear elements can express movement
across space
It can
provide
support for
an overhead
plane
It can form a 3
dimensional
structural frame
for architectural
space

6. PLANE
A line extended in a direction other than its
intrinsic direction becomes a plane. It has length
and width but no depth
Shape is the primary identifying characteristic of
a plane.
Its supplementary properties are surface color,
pattern and texture which affect its visual weight
and stability.
A plane defines the limits or boundaries of a
volume.
Two parallel lines have the ability to
visually describe a plane.
The closer these lines are to each other the
stronger will be the sense of plane they
convey.

7. A row of columns or
colonnade forms a semi
transparent screen that
unifies individual building
forms behind it.
The view shows the rhythmic
measure of space depicted
by a row of columns.

8. The ground plane can be
manipulated to establish a
podium or a building form
such as it can be carved or
terraced or stepped to allow
changes in elevation to be
easily traversed.
The overall form can be
made distinctly planar by
introducing openings
which expose the edges of
vertical and horizontal
planes.

9. Exterior wall planes
provides protection to the
interior spaces, while the
openings reestablish a
connection with the exterior
environment.
Thus shaping the exterior space
and describing the form, massing
and image of a building in space.
The plane of exterior wall can
be the primary façade of a
building. These facades serve as
wall that define spaces like
courtyards, streets, etc.

10. VOLUME
A plane extended in a direction other than its
intrinsic direction becomes a volume. It ahs
three dimensions- length , width and depth.
All volumes can be analyzed to consist of-
Points or vertices where several planes come
together
Lines or edges where two planes meet
Planes or surfaces which define the limits or
boundaries of volume.
Form is the identifying characteristic of a
volume. It is established by the shapes and inter
relationships of the planes that describe the
boundaries of volume.
A volume can be either a solid space displaced
by mass or a void space contained or enclosed
by planes.
Planes define
limits of volume
Lines or
edges
where two
planes
meet
Points or
vertices
where
several
planes come
together

11. A volume can be seen as either a
portion of space contained and
defined by wall, floor, ceiling or
quantity of space displaced by
the mass of building.
Building forms can be read as
masses that define volumes of
space like a series of buildings
enclosing an urban square.
Building forms can also
be a volume of space
carved out of massive
rock.

13. ORDERING PRINCIPLES

14. AXIS
A line established by two points in space about
which forms and spaces can be arranged in a
symmetrical or balanced manner.
It is essentially a linear condition so it
has qualities of length and direction
and induces movement and promotes
views along its path.
It
implies
symmetry,
it
demands
balance.

15. SYMMETRY
The balanced distribution and
arrangement of equivalent forms and
spaces on opposite sides of a dividing
line or plane or about a center or axis.
An axis is established by two points;
a symmetrical condition requires the
balanced arrangement of equivalent
patterns of form and space on
opposite sides of a dividing line or
plane, about a center or axis.

16. Types of symmetry-
Bilateral symmetry-
Balanced symmetry of similar
or equivalent elements on
opposite sides of a median axis
so that only one plane can
divide the whole into essentially
identical halves.
 Radial symmetry-
Radial symmetry refers to the
balanced arrangement of
similar, radiating elements
such that the composition can
be divided into similar halves
by passing a plane at any angle
around a center point or along
a central axis.

17. Building form
can have a
symmetrical
facade
Symmetry
can be
utilized to
organize
forms and
spaces.
An entire building
can be made
symmetrical or the
condition can occur
in only one portion
of the building and
organize an
irregular pattern of
forms spaces about
itself

18. HIERARCHY
The articulation of the importance or
significance of a form or space by its size
shape or placement relative to the other forms
and spaces of the organization.
In most of the architectural compositions
real differences exist among their forms and
spaces which reflect the degree of importance
of these forms and spaces as well as the
functional formal and symbolic roles they play
in the organization.
The visual emphasis can be achieved by
endowing a shape or form with-
Exceptional size
A unique shape
A strategic location

19. HIERARCHY BY SIZE
A form or space may dominate a
composition by being significantly different
in size from all the other elements.
HIERARCHY BY SHAPE
A form or space can be made visually
dominant by differentiating its shape
from that of the other elements in the
composition.
HIERARCHY BY PLACEMENT
A form or space may be strategically
placed so as to make it the most
important element in composition.

20. In the view the cathedral
is dominating over the
urban landscape
The plan of the palace shows
hierarchy by shape

21. DATUM
A line, plane or volume that by its continuity and regularity
serves to gather, measure, organize a pattern of forms and
spaces.
A datum can be a straight line. It can be a planar or
volumetric form.
LINE

22. PLANE
VOLUME

24. RHYTHMA unifying movement characterized by a patterned repetition or
alternation of formal elements or motifs in the same or modified
form.
The
importance of
space can be
emphasized y
its size and
placement.
Structural patterns often incorporate repetition
of vertical supports at regular intervals which
define modular bays or division of space.

25. Rhythmic patterns
provide continuity. Any
break in the pattern
announces and
emphasizes the
importance of the
interrupting element or
interval.

26. TRANSFORMATION
The principle that an architectural concept, structure, or
organization can be altered through a series of discrete
manipulations and permutations in response to a specific
context or set of conditions without a loss of identity or
concept.

27. Transformation of a
cruciform plan
organization

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