Theory of architecture unit 05

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE B.Arch, First Year
THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE | PRESENTATION BY: AR. GEEVA CHANDANA 1

UNIT 05: PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE
Understanding fundamental principles such as proportion, scale, balance,
symmetry/asymmetry, rhythm, axis, hierarchy, datum, unity, harmony, dominance,
climax – Movement with reference to the architectural form and space – detailed
study of relationship between architectural form and circulation – Types of circulation
– Building approach and entrance, path configuration and form, path space
relationship, orientation.

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION & SCALE

PRINCIPLE: MATERIAL PROPORTION

PRINCIPLE: STRUCTURAL PROPORTION
CROWN HALL, AR. MIES VAN DER ROHE

PRINCIPLE: MANUFACTURED PROPORTION

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION
Whole Part

Whole Part
• Proportion is the equality between two ratios in
which the first of the four terms divided by the
second equals the third divided by the fourth.

Theories of Proportion:
• Golden Section
• Classical Orders
• Renaissance Theories
• Modulor
• Ken
• Anthropometry
• Scale

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : GOLDEN SECTION
• The Golden Section can be defined as the ratio
between two sections of a line, or the two
dimensions of a plane figure, in which the lesser
of the two is to the greater as the greater is to
the sum of both.
• It can be expressed algebraically by the
equation of two ratios:

THE PARTHENON, ATHENS

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : CLASSICAL ORDER
• To the Greeks and Romans of classical antiquity,
the Orders represented in their proportioning
of elements the perfect expression of beauty
and harmony.
• The basic unit of dimension was the diameter of
the column.
• From this module were derived the dimensions
of the shaft, the capital, as well as the pedestal
below and the entablature above, down to the
smallest detail.

TUSCAN ORDER

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : CLASSICAL ORDERDORIC ORDER

IONIC ORDER

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : CLASSICAL ORDERCORINTHIAN ORDER

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : RENAISSANCE THEORIES
S. MARIA NOVELLA, FLORENCE, ITALY.

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : MODULAR
MODULAR MAN, AR. LE CORBUSIER

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : KEN
JAPANESE METHOD

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : ANTHROPOMETRY

PRINCIPLE: PROPORTION : SCALE
While proportion pertains to an ordered set of
mathematical relationships among the
dimensions of a form or space, scale refers to
how we perceive or judge the size of something
in relation to something else. In dealing with the
issue of scale, therefore, we are always
comparing one thing to another.

ORDERING PRINCIPLES
• Balance
• Symmetry/asymmetry
• Rhythm
• Axis
• Hierarchy
• Datum
• Unity
• Harmony
• Dominance
• Climax
• Movement

PRINCIPLE: BALANCE
A state of equilibrium between contrasting,
opposing, or interacting elements.
Also, the pleasing or harmonious arrangement
or proportion of parts or elements in a design
or composition.

PRINCIPLE: BALANCE
• Balance is the concept of visual equilibrium, and relates
to our physical sense of balance.
• Successful compositions achieve balance in one of two
ways: symmetrically or asymmetrically.

PRINCIPLE: BALANCE

PRINCIPLE: AXIS
A line established by two points in space, about
which forms and spaces can be arranged in a
symmetrical or balanced manner.
An axis can also be established simply by a
symmetrical arrangement of forms and spaces.

PRINCIPLE: AXIS
DARWIN D. MARTIN HOUSE AND ESTATE, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

PRINCIPLE: AXIS
TEMPLE OF AMUN AT KARNAK, EGYPT, C. 1500–323 B.C.

PRINCIPLE: 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.

PRINCIPLE: SYMMETRY
There are two fundamental types of symmetry:
1. Bilateral symmetry refers to the balanced arrangement
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.
2. 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.

PRINCIPLE: RADIAL SYMMETRY
GREAT STUPA AT SANCHI, INDIA, C. 100 B.C.

PRINCIPLE: BILATERAL SYMMETRY
UNITY TEMPLE, OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, 1905–7, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

PRINCIPLE: SYMMETRY
CA D’ORO, VENICE, 1424–36, GIOVANNI AND BARTOLOMEO BUON

PRINCIPLE: 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.
This visual emphasis can be achieved by endowing a form or
shape with:
• exceptional size
• a unique shape
• a strategic location

HIERARCHY BY SIZE HIERARCHY BY SHAPE HIERARCHY BY PLACEMENT

VIEW OF FLORENCE ILLUSTRATING THE DOMINANCE OF THE CATHEDRAL OVER THE URBAN LANDSCAPE

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY BUILDING, CHANDIGARH, INDIA, 1956–59, LE CORBUSIER

TOWN HALL, SEINÄJOKI, 1961-65, ALVAR AALTO

PRINCIPLE: RHYTHM
A unifying movement characterized by a patterned repetition or
alternation of formal elements or motifs in the same or a
modified form.
Rhythm refers to any movement characterized by a patterned
recurrence of elements or motifs at regular
or irregular intervals.

PRINCIPLE: RHYTHM
COLUMN DETAILS, NOTRE DAME LA GRANDE, POITIERS, FRANCE, 1130–45

PRINCIPLE: REPETITION
We tend to group elements in a random
composition according to:
• their closeness or proximity to one another
• the visual characteristics they share in
common
The principle of repetition utilizes both of
these concepts of visual perception to order
recurring elements in a composition.

The simplest form of repetition is a linear pattern of redundant elements. Elements need not
be perfectly identical, however, to be grouped in a repetitive fashion.

SIZE
SHAPE
DETAIL CHARACTERISTICS

JAMI MASJID, GULBARGA, INDIA, 1367

TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN, UNITÉ D’HABITATION, MARSEILLES, 1946–52, LE CORBUSIER

RAJARAJESHWARA TEMPLE, THANJAVUR, INDIA, LATE 10TH CENTURY

JAIN TEMPLES AT MT. ABU, INDIA, 11TH–16TH CENTURIES

VICTORIAN FACADES FRONTING A SAN FRANCISCO STREET

JEAN-MARIE TJIBAOU CULTURAL CENTER, AR. RENZO PIANO

PRINCIPLE: DATUM
A line, plane, or volume that, by its continuity and
regularity, serves to gather, measure, and organize a
pattern of forms and spaces.
A datum refers to a line, plane, or volume of reference to
which other elements in a composition can relate. It
organizes a random pattern of elements through its
regularity, continuity, and constant presence.

PRINCIPLE: DATUM
LINE
PLANE
VOLUME

PRINCIPLE: DATUM
ARCADES UNIFY THE FACADES OF HOUSES PRAGUE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

PRINCIPLE: DATUM
PIAZZA SAN MARCO, VENICE

PRINCIPLE: DATUM
CENTRE LE CORBUSIER, ZURICH, 1963–67, LE CORBUSIER

PRINCIPLE: UNITY
Unity Means Oneness And Indicates Harmony
Among The Different Building Elements. It
Imparts Coherence Of The Parts And Integrity
Of The Whole.
A dominating mass placed at central or at a
convenient place to makes it a point of
importance and destroy the duality or
competition.
UNITY PALACE, AR. OLIVIER-CLÉMENT CACOUB

PRINCIPLE: HARMONY
The pleasing arrangement of parts or combination of parts in a
composition. (belonging of one thing to other)
Harmony can be achieved:
• Harmony between building and site
• Harmony between a building and surrounding structures
• Harmony between different part of the same building
FALLING WATER, AR. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
Harmony between building and site

PRINCIPLE: HARMONY
Harmony involves the selection/design of elements that
share a common trait, however, Harmony becomes
monotony without Variety.
The repetition of design element like colour texture ,
shape and form is one of the easiest way to achieve
Harmony.
PARTHENON, GREECE

PRINCIPLE: DOMINANCE / EMPHASIS
Dominance means emphasis certain part of the building or highlight certain parts in the building.
This creates visual interest and focus in the composition.
Dominance can be achieved,
By contrast
By Massing
By ornamentation
By colour
By positioning

THE UNITED STATE CAPITAL WASHINGTON

RASHTRAPATHI BHAVAN, DELHI

VANKE PAVILION - MILAN EXPO 2015, AR. DANIEL LIBESKIND

ASSIGNMENT: PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE
BRIEF:
To make visual compositions using any five principles of
architecture:
Symmetry, Asymmetry, Rhythm, Hierarchy, Emphasis,
Harmony, Unity, Balance, Movement, Scale and
Proportion.
EXERCISE OUTCOME:
This exercise aims to make the student understand the
principles of architecture.

Theory of architecture unit 05

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