Dilla University

Department of Architecture
 Shape - Is defined as the effect produced by the outlines or the
edges of a figure.
 It is the visual field that the object occupies demarcated by the
outer limits that distinguish it from its surroundings.
 Form: Visible aspect of an object or figure.
 It could refer to parts or the whole of a figure that
is describable in two or three dimensions.
 Form is also understood as being a characteristic
feature of the conceptual element that we call a
solid or a volume.
 Form as an element of design is more than a
shape that is seen; it is a shape with definite
size, color and texture.
 It is the equivalent of the summation of the
components that we call visual element.
 Form is the primary identifying characteristic of a
volume.
 It is determined by the shapes and
interrelationships of the planes that describe the
boundary of the volume.
 As the 3D element in the vocabulary of architectural
design, a volume can be either
▪ Solid –space displaced by mass
▪ Void- space contained or enclosed by planes.
 A point is an element that marks a position in the
visual space.
 Perceived as having no length, width or depth.
 Static, centralized and direction less.
 Expresses stability and calmness
 A point in motion creates the
appearance of a line.
Physical Characteristics
 Length:
 Value
 Direction
 Position
Types of line
 Straight
 Curved,
 Bent,
 Irregular,
 Wavy, etc…
Expressive characteristics,
 A line can serve to:
1) Join, Link, Support, and Surround
or intersect other visual elements
2) Describe edges of or give shape to
planes
3) Articulate surfaces of a plane
 When a line is extended in a direction other
than its intrinsic one, it forms a plane.
 Physical Characteristics
 Shapes
 Surface
 Orientation
 Uses of Planes In design:
 Simplify complex shapes
and volumes
 Combined to create
complex shapes or forms
in three dimensional visual
field
 When a plane extends in the dimension that
is other than its intrinsic one, it will create a
solid.
 Determined by the contour of line forming
the edges of the solid
Used to:
 Define or enclose space

 Create a complex form in

B. Regular and Irregular Form

C. Static and Dynamic Form

D. Positive and Negative Form

E. Primary and Secondary Form

 Triangle

 Square
 Includes cube, sphere, cone, cylinder, and
pyramid
 Created from primary shapes.
 Regular
 Symmetrical
 Stable
 Circles - generate spheres and cylinders.
 Triangles - generate cones and pyramids.
 Square - generates cube.
 As any discipline of the sciences, in architecture,
it is important to understand that no solid is
created.
 As a form that exists in reality, it is made up of
materials that are already present in the
environment.
 The term operation is defined as an action,
scope or method of working that is undertaken
on something to affect its value or form.
 The term solid can be understood as something
that is both firm in shape and measurable in
three dimensions.
 Operation on solids then will deal with the subject
matter related to those activities that are
undertaken to alter the properties of solids with
known outward shape or form; resulting in the
change in their appearance (Transformation)
 Transformation should be understood as the
operation of changing one configuration/ expression
or state into another according to a certain rule.
1. Dimensional
transformation

2. Subtractive
transformation

3. Additive
transformation
 Refers to altering one or more dimensions of an
existing form.
 Here the underlying assumption is that all forms
that we experience are transformations of the
primary platonic solids discussed.
 A spherical form can be
transformed into any number of
ellipsoid firms by elongating it
along an axis.
 A pyramidal form can be
transformed by altering the
dimensions of its base,
modifying the height of its apex
or by moving the apex off of its
normal vertical axis.
 A cube can be transformed into
other rectangular prismatic
forms by shortening or
elongating its height, width, or
depth.
CUBE

STRETCHING

COMPRESSION
 We search for regularity & continuity in the forms we see
within our field of vision.
 When regular forms have fragments missing from their
volumes, they can retain their formal identities if we perceive
them as if they were whole and complete.
 Platonic solids adapt readily to subtractive
treatment.
 These forms will retain their formal identities if
portion of their volumes are removed without
deteriorating their edges, corners and overall
profile./Keeping identity/
 Ambiguity results if the portion removed from its
volume erodes its edges and drastically alters its
profile./loosing identity/
A square whose corner is removed or an L shaped which is
composed of two rectangles?
 As the name suggests, additive transformation is
nothing but the addition of elements to the
“Original” volume.
1. Spatial tension

2. Edge - to - edge contact

3. Face - to - face contact

4. Interlocking relationship
1. Spatial tension - a relationship that is based on
proximity & common visual elements and not any
type of actual contact.
- surfaces share a common visual trait such as shape,
material, colour or texture.
2. Edge to edge contact - forms share a common edge
and have an actual physical contact, pivoting about
that edge.
3. Face to face contact - the two forms need to have
corresponding planar surfaces, which are parallel to
each other and with surfaces that actually meet.
4) Inter locking volumes - In such a relation ship forms
inter penetrate each others space.
1. Develop a model by choosing one of the principles of
“transformation of form”; dimensional transformation or addition
(spatial tension, edge to edge contact, face to face contact,
interlocking) .
2. Design two models by using subtraction transformation method
the one which shows the parent form’s identity (losing identity) is
lost and the other which shows the parent form’s identity is kept
(keeping identity).
 Requirements
 The base for the model should be 25*25 cm
 Use maximum two types of colors inclusive of the base
 What is expected
 Good imagination and creativity
 Precision
 Abstraction
 Think outside of the box!