Fundamentels of

Architecture
Submitted to : Dr. Noha Elhefnawy
Eng. Nada Salah
Submitted from :
Anas Abdelazim
Youssef Mohamed
Reem said
Israa Ahmed
Malak Tarek
 Defining the key
Search Elements Introduction
Elements

Importance of the
Analyzing the Examples and
three Elements in
Relationship practical
Architectural
Between Elements applications
Design

References
 What Is Form ?
• Refers to both the internal structure and external
appearance of an object, creating unity in its overall design.
In art and design, it involves arranging elements to form a
cohesive image. While “form” often implies three-
dimensional mass or volume, “shape” focuses on the lines
or contours that define an object’s appearance.
 v

Elements 6. 7. Visal
1. Shape 2. Size 3. Color 4. Texture 5. Position
of Form Orientation inertia
Elements of form:
• 1- Shape :
• The characteristic outline or
surface
• configuration of a particular form.
• Shape is the principal aspect by
which
• we identify and categorize forms.
Elements of form:

• 2- Size :
The physical dimensions of length,
• width, and depth of a form and affects
the perception of space.
Elements of form:

• 3- Color :
• A phenomenon of light and visual
perception that can be described by
hue, saturation, and tonal value.
Color also impacts the visual weight
of a form.
Elements of form:

• 4- Texture :
• The visual and tactile quality of a
surface, influenced by the size,
shape, arrangement, and
proportions of its parts. Texture
also affects how a surface reflects
or absorbs light.
Elements of form:

• 5- Position :
• The location of a form in relation to its
environment or the visual field. It
determines how the form interacts
with surrounding elements.
Elements of form:

• 6- Orientation :
• The direction of a form concerning the
ground plane, compass points, other
forms, or the viewer’s perspective. It
influences how the form is perceived
spatially.
Elements of form:

• 7- Visual Inertia :
• The degree of concentration and
stability of a form. Visual inertia is
influenced by the form’s geometry,
determining whether it appears
stable or dynamic.
Transformation
of primary 1- Dimensions
solids transformation

2- Subtractive 3- Additive
transformation transformation
Transformation of primary solids
• 1- Dimensional Transformation :
• A form’s dimensions can be altered
while maintaining its identity within a
family of forms. For instance, a cube
can be transformed into similar
prismatic shapes by changing its
height, width, or length.
Transformation of primary solids
• 2- Subtractive Transformation :
. A form can be modified by removing a
portion of its volume. Depending on
how much is removed, the form may
retain its original identity or become a
different type. For example, a cube can
remain a cube after some material is
removed or be transformed into regular
polyhedrons that resemble a sphere.
Transformation of primary solids
• 3- Additive Transformation :
• A form can change by adding
elements to its volume. The outcome
depends on the nature of the
additions and their sizes, which
determines whether the original
form’s identity is
preserved or altered.
 Additive Transformation

1- Spatial Tension 4- Interlocking Volumes

2- Edge-to-edge 3- Face-to-face
Contact Contact
Additive Transformation
Additive Transformation by Spatial Tension
Additive Transformation by Edge to
edge contact
Additive Transformation Face to Face
Additive Transformation Interlocking Volumes
 Form
composed 1- 4-
2- Linear 3- Radial 5- Grid
from Centralized Clustered
Form Form Form
additive Form Form
forms
Form composed from additive forms
1- Centralized Form:
• A number of secondary forms
clustered about adominant, central
parent-form
Form composed from additive forms
2- Linear Form :
• A series of forms arranged sequentially
in a row
Form composed from additive forms
• 3- Radial Form:
• A composition of linear forms
extending outwardfrom a central
form in a radial manner
Form composed from additive forms
• 4- Clustered Form :
• Clustered FormA collection of
forms grouped together
byproximity or the sharing of a
common visual trait
Form composed from additive forms
• 5- Grid Form :
• Grid FormA set of modular
forms related and
regulatedby a three-
dimensional grid
FORMAL COLLISIONS OF GEOMETRY
• When two forms differing in geometry
ororientation collide and interpenetrate
each other’sboundaries, each will vie for
visual supremacy anddominance. In
these situations, the following formscan
evolve:
FORMAL COLLISIONS OF GEOMETRY
• • The two forms can subvert their individualidentities and merge
to create a new compositeform.
FORMAL COLLISIONS OF GEOMETRY
• • One of the two forms can receive the othertotally within
its volume.
FORMAL COLLISIONS OF GEOMETRY
• The two forms can retain their individualidentities and share the
interlocking portion oftheir volumes.
FORMAL COLLISIONS OF GEOMETRY
• The two forms can separate and be linked by athird element that
recalls the geometry of oneof the original forms.
 . Space
Our visual field normally consists of
heterogeneouselements that differ in
shape, size, color, or orientation we
tend to organize its elements intotwo
opposing groups: positive elements,
which areperceived as figures and
negative elements, whichprovide a
background for the figures
HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS DEFINING SPACE

1-Base Plane 2- Depressed Base 3- Elevated Base

plane plane

4-overhead plane
HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS DEFINING SPACE

1- Base Plane
A horizontal plane laying as a figure on acontrasting
background defines a simplefield of space. This
field can be visuallyreinforced in the following ways.
HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS DEFINING SPACE

2- Depressed Base :
• PlaneA horizontal plane depressed into
theground plane utilizes the vertical
surfacesof the lowered area to define a
volume ofspace.
HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS DEFINING SPACE

• 3- Elevated Base Plane:

• A horizontal plane elevated above
theground plane establishes
vertical surfacesalong its edges
that reinforce the visualseparation
between its field and
thesurrounding ground.
HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS DEFINING SPACE
• 4- Overhead Plane :
• A horizontal plane located
overheaddefines a volume of space
between itselfand the ground plane.
Elelvated Base and Depressed Base degree

• The degree to which spatial and visual

continuityis maintained between an
elevated space and itssurroundings
depends on the scale of
the levelchange.
Elelvated Base and Depressed Base degree
• 1. The edge of the field is well-
defined;visual and spatial continuity is
maintained;physical access is
easily accommodated.
Elelvated Base and Depressed Base degree
• 2. Visual continuity is
maintained;spatial continuity
is interrupted;physical
access requires the use of
stairsor ramps.
Elelvated Base and Depressed Base degree
• 2. Visual continuity is
maintained;spatial continuity
is interrupted;physical
access requires the use of
stairsor ramps.
 Vertical elements defining space
• Vertical forms have a greater presence
in our visual field than horizontal
planes and moreinstrumental in
defining a discrete volume of space. In
addition, they serve to separate
onespace from another and establish
a common boundary between the
interior and exteriorenvironments.
They provide shelter and protection.
 Types Vertical Elements
1- Vertical linear elements:
• A vertical linear element, establishes
a point on the ground plane and
makes it visible. Whenlocated within
a defined volume of space, a column
will generate a spatial field about
itself.repetitive series of column
elements along its perimeter would
further strengthen thedefinition of the
volume.
 Types Vertical Elements
1- Vertical linear elements:
• A vertical linear element, establishes
a point on the ground plane and
makes it visible. Whenlocated within
a defined volume of space, a column
will generate a spatial field about
itself.repetitive series of column
elements along its perimeter would
further strengthen thedefinition of the
volume.
 Types Vertical Elements
1- Vertical linear elements:
• A vertical linear element, establishes
a point on the ground plane and
makes it visible. Whenlocated within
a defined volume of space, a column
will generate a spatial field about
itself.repetitive series of column
elements along its perimeter would
further strengthen thedefinition of the
volume.
Types Vertical Elements
2- Single Vertical
• Planestanding alone in space, A
vertical plane has frontal
qualities. Its two surfaces or faces
fronton and establish the edges of
two separate and distinct spatial
fields. The plane by itself
canestablish only a single edge of
the field. To define a three-
dimensional volume of space,
theplane must interact with other
elements of form
Types Vertical Elements
3- L-shaped
• configuration of planesAn L-
shaped configuration of vertical
planes defines a field of space
along a diagonal from itscorner
outward.
Types Vertical Elements
4- Parallel planes :
• A pair of parallel vertical planes
defines a field of space between
them. The spatial fieldalong the open
ends of the configuration can be
visually reinforced by manipulating
the baseplane or adding overhead
elements to the composition .
Types Vertical Elements
5-U-shaped planes
• At the closed end of the configuration,
the field is well defined. Toward the open
end of theconfiguration, the field
becomes extroverted in nature. The open
end is the primary aspectof the
configuration .
Types Vertical Elements
6- Four planes :
• closurethe most typical type of
spatial definition in architecture.
Since the field is
completelyenclosed, it is naturally
introverted. It provides
privacy and closure.
What is Order ?
• Organizing and designing spaces within
buildings using the principles of
organization and arrangement.
What is Organiztion ?
• Organization principles determine
how rooms and spaces relate to each
other, which rooms will be adjacent
and which will be separate. They also
determine the level of privacy for each
space, whether public or private.
Ways Of Organization space within a main space
• 1. Space within space: a smaller
space is located within a larger
space, as if it were a sub-space
within a main space.
Ways Of Organization space within a main space
• 2. Interlocking spaces:
• the boundaries of one space overlap with
the boundaries of another, so that part of
each of them meets.
Ways Of Organization space within a main space
• 3. Adjacent spaces:
• two adjacent spaces share a common boundary
or are directly adjacent.
Ways Of Organization space within a main
space
• 4. Spaces linked by a common space:
• two separate spaces are connected by an
intermediate space that brings them together
and acts as a link.
Ordering principles in architectureThere
1 .Axis

6.Transformation 2.Symmtry

5.Rhythm 3.Hierarchy

4.Datum
 Ordering principles in architectureThere
• Axis is a line established by two points in
space, about which forms and spaces are
arranged in a regular or irregular manner.
Although it is imaginary except to the
mind's eye.It must be terminated at both
ends by one of the following:Vertical
elementsVertical planesWell defined
spaces as centralized formsGateways
Ordering principles in architectureThere
• Symmetry :
• While an axial condition can exist
without a symmetrical condition, a
symmetrical condition can not exist
without implying the existence of an
axis or center.
• Types of symmetry:
• 1.Bilateral symmetryArrangement of
similar or equivalent elements on
opposite sides of an axis.
Ordering principles in architectureThere
• 2. Radial symmetry Arrangement of
radiating elements at any angle
around a cente rpoint or along a
central axis.
 Ordering principles in architectureThere
• Hierarchy:
• Real differences exist among
their forms and spaces, as well
as the symbolic roles they play.
Hierarchy can be achieved by
endowing a form or shape with:
Exceptional size The composition
being significantly different in size
from all other elements.
 Ordering principles in architectureThere
• Datum Dare refors to a line gaine.
It volume of refere vce to thieh
other elements can relate.A
datum can organize the elements
in the following waysA line can cut
through a common edge for the
pattern.A plane can gather the
pattern of elements or serve as a
background.A volume can collect
the pattern of elements within its
boundaries or along its perimeter.
 Ordering principles in architectureThere
• Rhythm undam elers to ape mon
ement characterize a pallen
element it incorporates the We
group elements according to Their
closeness or proximity to one
another.The visual characteristics
they share in common.These
characteristics are such as Size,
Shape, Detail characteristics.
Ordering principles in architectureThere
• The principle of transformation
allows a designer to select a
prototypical architectural model
whose formal structure and
ordering of elements might be
appropriate and reasonable.
Reference
• Introduction to architecture
• Ching – architecture_ form _space_ order
Thank you