ARCH 167 – THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1

• Design theories with emphasis on perceptual and

proxemic sensitivities in organizing form and space
Expected Outcomes
• Describe and express the basic influences, elements and principles in
architectural design.
• Describe and apply the different elements and principles of
composition during the design process.
• Describe the best and appropriate conceptual solution to a design
problem.
• Describe perceptual and proxemic considerations in space planning and
the entire design process.
Course Outline
1.Introduction to the course 11.Proxemics and Territoriality
2.Influences on Architecture 12.Kinesthetic Quality of space
3.Architectural Systems and Orders 13.Behavioral Architecture
4.Anthropometric Basis of Design
5.Primary Elements
6.Form and Space
7.Organization
8.Principles of Composition
9.Perception
10.Light, Color and Texture
REFERENCES

• Ching, Francis D.K. “Architecture-Form, Space and Order”. Hoboken

N.J. ; John Wiley & Sons, 2007
• Ching, Francis D.K. “An Introduction to Architecture”. Hoboken N.J. ;
John Wiley & Sons, 2007
• Mallgrave, Harry Francis, “An Introduction to Architectural Theory :
1968 to Present”, Chichester, West Sussex; Wiley-blackwell, 2011
• Ecler, James, 1982, “Language of Space and Form: Generative terms
for Architecture”, Hoboken, New Jersey; John Wiley & Sons, 2012
• Neuferst, Ernst, “ Architect’s Data”, Chichester, West Sussex; Wiley-
blackwell, 2012
What is Architecture

• 1: the art or science of building specifically : the art or

practice of designing and building structures and especially
habitable ones

• 2a: formation or construction resulting from or as if from a

conscious act
DEFINING
ARCHITECTURAL
THEORY

Le Corbusier

• HUMANS MAKE THEORIES TO EXPLAIN

THE WORLD AROUND THEM.
• THEORY BUILDING DEVELOPS OUT OF
OUR NEED TO MAKE SENSE OF OUT OF
LIFE
Definitions of Theory

• Abstract thought or speculation resulting in

a system of assumptions or principles used in
analyzing, explaining, or predicting
phenomena, and proposed or followed as the
basis of action.
 Marcus Vitruvius

• ARCHITECTURAL THEORY BEGAN WITH

MARCUS VITRUVIUS’ TEN BOOKS ON
ARCHITECTURE WRITTEN IN THE FIRST
CENTURY B.C.E.
THREE ELEMENTS
OF ARCHITECTURE
(according to Vitruvius)

Function
1. UTILITAS
2. FIRMITAS Strength

3. VENUSTAS Beauty
THREE ELEMENTS
OF ARCHITECTURE
(according to Vitruvius)

1. UTILITAS
2. FIRMITAS
3. VENUSTAS
Definitions of Theory

• Architectural theory is part science, part

history, part ideology, part sociology and part
aesthetic judgment.
Role of Theory in Architecture
Architecture

Built environment Users/clients/Everybody

• Provides a way of understanding and

describing the person-built environment
relationship for better design decisions,
methods and ultimately better spaces and
buildings.
• Basis for architectural design.
THREE MAIN AREAS OF
ARCHITECTURAL THEORY

• THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

• THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

• THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
TECHNOLOGY
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN

Organizational strategies, design methods,

spatial concepts, etc.
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
HISTORY

Social phenomena and patterns, linguistic

analyses, analyses of physical artifacts, etc.
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
TECHNOLOGY

Principles of structure, ventilation, drainage,

lighting, etc.
ARCHITECTURE
BASIC DEFINITION:
ARCHITECTURE

• ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE
AND TECHNICAL
PROFESSION

• CREATIVE PROCESS
AND CONSTRUCTION METHOD

• INTUITIVE AND ACADEMIC

INFLUENCES ON ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN

1.GENERAL INFLUENCES
2.INFLUENCES OF NATURE
3.INFLUENCE OF MAN Maslow’s Hierarchy of human needs
1. GENERAL INFLUENCES

1a 1b

• NEEDS OF MAN
• Physical
• Emotional
• Intellectual
2
1. GENERAL INFLUENCES
for response
theater for self-expression art gallery self-expression

1 2 3

• ACTIVITIES OF MAN
• Desire for preservation
• Desire for recognition
• Desire for response
• Desire for self-expression
4 arch of triumph-for recognition
2. INFLUENCES OF NATURE

1 steep slope, moderately rolling, flat

• CLIMATE solar and wind study

precipitation
2

• TOPOGRAPHY

• MATERIAL
3 availability of materials in an area
3. INFLUENCE OF MAN

• SOCIAL-CULTURAL

• RELIGIOUS

• ECONOMIC
ARCH167
THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1

ARCHITECTURAL
SYSTEMS
AND ORDERS
 What are systems?
• An organized collection of parts or subsystems that are highly
integrated to accomplish an overall goal
• A regularly interacting or interdependent group of items
forming a unfired whole
Villa Savoye, Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret
Le Corbusier – Five Key Points for a New Architecture
Architecture of Space

• The 3D integration of
program elements and
spaces accommodates the
multiple functions and
relationships of a building
Architecture of Structure

• A grid of columns supports

horizontal beams and slabs
• The cantilever acknowledges
the direction of approach
according to the longitudinal
axis
Architecture of Enclosure

• Exterior wall planes define a

rectangular volume that
contains the program
elements and spaces
Experience through Movement in Space-Time

• Approach and entry

• Path configuration and access
• Experiences of the basic
senses
 Achieved by means of Technology

• Technology affects the way

we experience the design
process
• Technology also improves
building efficiency and
durability
Achieved by means of Technology
 Accommodating a Program

• Architectural programming –
research and decision-making
process that defines the
scope of work to be designed
– User requirements, needs,
aspirations
– Socio-cultural factors
– Economic factors
– Legal restraints
– Traditions
 Compatible with its Context
• Refers to the vicinity where
it is located
– Site and environment
– Climate
– Geography
– Sensory and cultural
characteristics
 What are orders?
• A state in which all components or elements are arranged
logically, comprehensibly or naturally
Architectural Orders

Villa Savoye

Ronchamp Chapel
ARCHITECTURAL Form and Space Systems and Organizations
ORDERS of:

Physical
▪ Solids and Voids ▪ Space
▪ Interior and Exterior ▪ Structure
▪ Enclosure
▪ Machines
Perceptual Sensory perception and ▪ Approach and
recognition of the physical Departure
elements by experiencing ▪ Entry and Egress
them sequentially in time ▪ Movement through the
order of spaces
▪ Functioning of and
activities within spaces
▪ Qualities of light, color,
texture, view and sound
Conceptual Comprehension of the ▪ Images
ordered and disordered ▪ Patterns
relationships among a ▪ Signs
building’s elements and ▪ Symbols
systems and responding to ▪ Context (Space, Form,
the meanings they evoke Function, Technics)
The Scale of Design

• Designing objects

• Designing spaces
• Designing buildings
• Designing cities
Scale of Design – Designing Objects
Scale of Design – Designing Objects
 Scale of Design – Designing Spaces
• Space – dimensions of height, depth and width within which all
things exist and move

• “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape

us”
Scale of Design – Designing Buildings
Scale of Design – Designing Buildings
Scale of Design – Designing Buildings
Scale of Design – Designing Cities
Scale of Design – Designing Cities
Scale of Design – Designing Cities
Scope of the Practice of
Architecture in the
Philippines
See R.A. 9266

Architecture Act of 2004