Principles

Principles

Order is a condition in which each part of a whole reference other parts which creating harmony within the arrangement. However, it should contain diversity. If there is no diversity in the order then a space may be monotony or boring. On the other hand chaos is the product when there is no order in diversity.

Axis

A line that is created by two points in a space is called an axis. An axis allows a space to be symmetrical or balanced.  Although an axis is an imaginary line and one of the most elementary principles it can be very powerful and dominating. It induces movement and promotes views along its path.

Axis Mundi

Symmetry

Symmetry is the balance of two sides through a dividing line that mirrors  the other side. Symmetry can not exist without implying an axis or line down its center. There are two fundamental types of symmetry: Bilateral and Radial. Bilateral is the balance of two like or equivalent elements on opposite sides of an axis. Radial symmetry on the other hand is the balance of elements typically in a circular shape that can be that can be divided into similar halves through a center point.

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Hierarchy

Hierarchy is the importance of a form or space by its size, shape or placement. Hierarchy implies that the real difference in architecture exist among their forms and spaces. The importance of a space is determined by the desire of the users in the space and the designer’s decisions. However, there can be more than one dominating elements in a space.

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Datum

Datum is a line that gathers, measure and organize a pattern of forms and space. A datum does not need to be a straight line in order to function properly. It can be planar or volumetric. However,  in order for it to be effective it has to cut through or pass all of the elements that are being organized. 

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Rhythm & Repetition

Rhythm is the unified movement of elements that can be distinguished by a patterned repetition or alteration. Rhythm incorporates repetition as a device to organize. We usually organize things by their closeness or proximity or their visual  characteristics. Elements do not  need to be identical but must share traits.

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Transformation

Transformation is when a context can be altered through manipulations and permutations but be able to still keep its identity or concept. Through transformation designers are able to clarify, strengthen and build upon an already existing design or model without destroying it.

AB Choa

Proportion & Scale

Proportion & Scale

Scale refers to the size of something compared to a standard guideline or to the size of something else. Whereas proportion refers to the harmony of one part to another or as a whole to a size, quantity or degree. All materials have  rational size and proportion. There are several theories of proportion that have been developed.

The Golden Section

The Golden Section was one of the earliest theories developed. It deals with mathematics based off the human body. The ratio of two section of a line or two dimensions of a plane figure where the lesser of the two is to the greater is the sum of both.

The Orders

Greeks and Romans used the Orders in their proportioning to perfect beauty and harmony. Their basic unit of measurement was none other than the diameter of the columns. The system of spacing was based on the diameter of the column. The sized of the columns varied; therefore the orders were not based on a fixed unit of measurement. However, all parts of one building was proportionate. The types of orders are Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.

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Renaissance Theories


This Theory was developed by the numerical progression such as (1, 2, 3, 4..) and their ratios (1:2, 1:3, 2:3, 3:4) from the greek musical system by Pythagoras. This led the greeks to believe they found the key to harmony in the universe. Renaissance architects used this method to create ratios that could form proportions of an entire room.

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The Modulor

Architect Le Corbusier examined the measuring tools used by other civilizations when creating the Modulor. Therefore, he based the Modulor off of mathematics and the proportion of the human body. It can have an infinity of combinations.

Le Corbusier- Sainte- Marie de la Tourette

The Ken

The Ken was introduced in the latter half of Japan’s Middle Ages. It was first used to designate the interval between columns but soon became the standard for residential architecture. It became an absolute measurement. It was also used on the structure, materials, and spaces of Japanese architecture. The Ken grid orders the structure as well as the additive space to space sequence of a Japanese residence.

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Anthropomorphic

Anthropometry is the measurement of the size and proportion of the human body. The anthropomorphic method seeks functional ratios that forms and spaces are containers or extensions of the human body and should be determined by its dimensions. However, the use of the method is a bit difficult because of the variations of ever human such as race, gender, age, and height. The dimensions and proportions of the human body affects how everything is used and handled.

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Scale

A recap of scale it is how we perceive or judge the size of something in relation to something else. We are always comparing one thing to another. Visual scale is used to compare the size something appears to be in relation to its normal size.

Fanny Zigdon

Circulation

Circulation

Movement links the spaces of a building, or any series of interiors or exterior spaces together. We all tend to move in time through a sequence of space which determines how we experience a space. Through different paths of circulations we are able to experience a building in different forms.

Building Approach

The first step on how we move around a space is its approach. It all begins from our distant view of the building whether it's a long trail or short one until we are up close and personal to the building. There are three(3) different ways we can approach a building. One is Frontal which is a straight axis that leads directly in front of the building. The second is Oblique which delays and prolongs the approach but enhances the form of the building. The third is Spiral which as well prolongs the approach since it requires the movement around the perimeter.

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Building Entrances

An entrance is an opening in the plane of a wall. Building entrances are the next step in how we interact with a building since it provides a gateway into the inside of a building. However, a building can as well have several entrances within the interior that lead into other rooms within the interior. These entrances can vary from being simple to very elaborate. The location of entrances are very important because they determine where people come into and leave a building or room.

Entrance of the Cereza House

Configuration of Path
The configuration of the path deals with the path one takes in order to reach a destination. It all begins at a starting point but the path may vary due to flexibility of our source of transportation. The human body is more flexible compared to a bike and a car which is the least flexible out of the three. A path’s is usually determined by its scale the bigger the path the more publicly accessible it is. Different types of paths include linear, radial, spiral, grid, network, and composite.

Mall- Heavy Industries

Path-Space Relationships

Paths may be related to spaces they link whether they pass by spaces, pass through spaces and terminate in a space. When a path pass by spaces the integrity of the space is maintained. When a path passthrough space it creates patterns of rest and movement. When a path terminates in a space it is usually used to enter symbolically important spaces.

The Cross Hall

Form of the Circulation Space
The space for movement adds a very significant amount of volume of  a building. the space determines how one interact with the space as well as how many people at a time can interact with the space at the same time. It should always accommodate a person whether they are walking, resting, or enjoying the view.

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Organization

Spatial Relationship

All around us there are spaces. Some may stand alone while others may be connected some how. Majority of the spaces we see in fact have a relationship with each other. These relationships that connects them may include: Space within a space, interlocking Spaces, adjacent spaces, and Space linked by a common space.

Space Within a Space

A Space that is contained within the existing volume of another space. These spaces are usually smaller than the space it is contained within. In the picture bellow there is a living room in the right of the “dominant space.”

Interlocking Space 

When two spaces are connected by overlapping each other. The interlocked space and be shared with the two original shapes equally or it can become a space of its own.

William Kaven Architecture

Space Linked by a Common Space

When two spaces have distance apart from each other but have an other space in-between them that connects them. This space may be a hallway.

                             

Emerick Architects

Spatial Organization

Spaces can be organized in many different way. The way a space is organized gives it its own special feel and also is important to the function it was design to serve. Spaces can have centralized organization, linear organization, radial organization, clustered organization and grid organization.

Centralized Organization 

Centralized organization is just that, a space that is organized around the main focus which is placed within the center of the room of the things surrounding it.

Australian Senate

Radial Organization

Radial Organization is when the space is organized in the form of a circle or oval. This type of organization may also include centralized organization.

Plovdiv Roman theatre