Handout shape Line scale composition

1. LINE
• Lines mean outlines, edges, functions of surface,
joints and any long thin projections and
recessions.
• In planning and building design there are :
(i) straight lines- horizontal, vertical, inclined and
(ii) curved lines, either parts of circles, ellipses (egg
shaped) parabolas ( curves) or free flowing.
• Plans and drawings are mainly composed of lines

2. Lines cont…
• Lines are derive from forms and shapes (detail)
• Lines can be used to define patterns or impart
direction (detail)
• Visual effects of lines are:-
(i) emphasized horizontal lines on long low
buildings or structures which are restful to the
eye,
(ii) stressed vertical lines on tall buildings are
stimulating

3. • Question: Discuss lines in urban design or
what do you understand by line in urban
design?
• (answer?????)

4. COMPOSITION
• Definition: a conscious arrangement of parts or
elements to produce a functionally and visually
satisfying whole
• composition includes buildings and other
manmade structures with paved surfaces around
them and roads, railways, parks recreation areas,
gardens and landscaping.
• Also there are items of street furniture and
amenity ( litter bins, traffic signs, guard, rails,
telephone booth/Ecocash)

5. Composition cont..
• All the elements should be individually and
collectively well designed and arranged in
such a manner as to provide the means for
efficient and agreeable living
• The overall principle in composition is
integration i.e. putting major plan elements in
recognized groupings centred around focal
points (what focal points)

6. Composition cont…
• A town plan is designed as two dimensional,
however, the 2D should be viewed in three
dimensions (3D) (Form) as well so as to give it
context.
• The focal point is a functional suitability issue
further emphasised by incorporating visual
design e.g. shopping centre, community hall
• In large and extensive urban areas there can be
more than one focal point- at least one central
point and secondary foci for outlying districts

7. Composition cont…
• This planned provision of nodes is a usual basis
for the layout i.e. new towns, extension or
neighbourhood.
• Site selection should take advantage of e.g.
topographical and landscape features: Hills,
bends in rivers scenic backgrounds, lakesides.
• The design should be interconnected, integrated,
logical, convenient (detail):
(i) In respect of the size, height and arrangement of
buildings

8. Composition cont…
(ii) in the use of compatible materials and
colours, in connection with unity and integrity
(iii)In the context of variety of the individual
design
• All this must be considered in the overall
design in an urban composition i.e. is lively
and interesting

9. • Discussion??????

10. SCALE
• Scale is used in connection with the
comparison of sizes, mass, area, distance and
detail e.g.
(i) designs are “in scale” if they conform to
human norms or
(ii) “large in scale” or small in scale if they depart
from the norm

11. Scale cont…
• Buildings of public importance are usually
somewhat larger in scale than normal for
visual expression of their character
• Composition should include elements that
enable this overscale to be appreciated
• Generally smallness of scale has no merit in
urban design (except in a few cases)

12. Scale cont…
• Problems of scale arise:
(i) in regard to the laying out of buildings and
open spaces to keep them within the bounds
of human limitations and potentialities
(ii) in regard to the juxtaposition of buildings
and other structures, the scales of which are
so dissimilar as to produce discordant and
objectionable visual effects

13. • To minimise this buildings in a new
development should not be separately
designed and should have co-ordinating
controls
• The solution is not necessarily to impose a
standard façade but to require that a
satisfactory relationship exists between them,
including a scale common to them all
(examples)

14. • Incompatibility of scale may also occur when a
new buildings is placed next to a building of a
past period which is being preserved because
of its historic or architectural value
• Incompatibility can be managed to produce
good contrast (example)

15. • Question: Discuss scale???
• Answer ????

16. SHAPE
• varied shapes occur in layouts e.g. roads,
building, plots, and roundabouts
• Some shapes are essentially geometrical
therefore they are regular figures such as
rectangles, squares, circles or triangles

17. • Others are more complex consisting of a
combination of straight and curved lines and
some are wholly irregular and free
• In planning and building design shapes are
determined almost automatically as they are
derived from efficient functional arrangement
and economic construction

18. • A good design is a collection of tidy, well
shaped pieces, each contributing to the
overall effect
• squares and circles tend to attract and hold
the eye and so may be used as focal points or
stops

19. • Long rectangles, tend to lead the eye along
the direction of their length
• Freer and curving shapes are used for
landscaping and rural planning
• More regular and geometric shapes, mostly
rectangular are appropriate for urban layout
and buildings