Theory of Architecture

Architecture
Art and Science of designing and constructing buildings

Engineering
Art and Science of applying scientific principles to practical ends in the design and construction

Science
A branch of knowledge dealing with a body of facts or truths obtained by direct observation

Sociology
The science of human social institutions and relationships

Design Process
A purposeful activity aimed at devising a plan for changing an existing situation into a future
preferred state

Different aspects of Architecture

Environmental Design
Ordering of the physical environment by means of architecture, construction, landscape, urban
design, and city planning

Urban Design
The aspect of architecture and city planning that deals with urban structures and spaces.

City Planning
The activity or profession of determining the future physical arrangement and condition of a
community

Interior Design
The art of planning the design and supervising the execution of architectural interiors

Space Planning
The aspect of architecture that deals with the planning, layout, design and furnishing of spaces
within a proposed building.

Elements of Architecture
Plan
Is the graphic projection of the volume of a building
Visible structure elements
Structural Elements
a. Wall b. Columns c. Beams

Protective Elements
a. Roof b. Dome c. Ceiling d. Vaults

Types of Roof
Circulatory Elements
a. Openings (Doors and windows) b. corridors (passageways) c. Stairs

Decorative Elements
a. Mouldings b. Ornaments

Principles of Design
Design
Is a process of purposeful visual creation

Elements of Design
Conceptual Elements
a. Point – indicates position (no length or width)
b. b. Line – has position and direction (it has length but no width)
c. c. Plane - also has position and direction (it has length and width but no thickness)
d. d. Volume – has position in space (it has length, width, and thickness)

Visual Elements
a. Shape – the characteristic outline or surface of a particular form.
b. Size – the physical dimensions of length, width, and depth
c. Color – phenomenon of light and visual perception
d. Texture – the visual tactile quality given to a surface

Relational Elements
a. Direction b. position c. Space d. gravity

Practical elements
a. Representation b. meaning c. function

Form
Is not just a shape that is seen, but a shape of definite size, color and texture

Structure
Involves visual and relational elements governed by a certain discipline by means of “construct”

Form, Space and Order

Types of Planes
a. Overhead Plane b. Wall Plane/ vertical plane c. base Plane

Primary Shapes
a. Square b. Triangle c. Circle

Platonic solids
a. Spheres and Cylinders b. Cones and Pyramids c. Cubes
Additive Forms

Spatial Organization
Spatial Relationship

Circulation
Configuration of the Path

Path space relationships

Proportion and Scale
Scale
Alludes to the size of something

Proportion
Refers to the proper harmonious relation of one part to another

Categories of Proportioning
a. Material Proportion – refers to all building materials in architecture that have distinct properties
of durability
b. Structural proportion – in the construction of architecture, are directly related to structural
tasks
c. Manufactured proportion – many structural elements that goes through a process of being
manufactured.

Theories of Proportion
Golden Ratio / Rectangle

Modular / Module Man

Ken

An aesthetic module that ordered the structure

in Japanese architecture

Is an absolute measurement in Japanese

architecture

Methods in applying tatami mats

3-Mat Room 4-Mat Room 4 ½-Mat Room

6-Mat Room 8-Mat Room 10-Mat Room

Tatami Mat (3.15 x 6.30 Shaku)

a type of mat used as a flooring material in
traditional Japanese-style rooms

Traditionally made using rice straw to form

the core

Anthropometry