ARTICULATION OF FORM

BY: AR. NORIEL JEANNE T. TUPAZ

Articulation in architecture is about how the parts
of a shape or structure come together to form its
overall design. It helps us understand how the
different parts fit together and how the entire
form is made. A well-articulated design shows its
details clearly, making it easy to see the
relationships between its parts.
 Ways to Make a Form Articulated
1.Different 2.Distinct
Materials, Corners
Colors, or
Textures
 Ways to Make a Form Articulated (with examples):
3. Removing 4. Lighting
Corners to Highlight
Edges
Ways to Make a Form Articulated (with examples):

1.Different Materials, Colors, or Textures

2.Distinct Corners
3.Removing Corners
4.Lighting to Highlight Edges
SURFACE ARTICULATION
BY: AR. NORIEL JEANNE T. TUPAZ
Corners Make Forms Clear: Small Angles May Be Invisible:
Angles Define Corners: Small Angles May Be Invisible:
TYPES OF CORNER
CONDITION
A corner condition can be visually If an opening is introduced to one side of
reinforced by introducing a separate and the corner, one of the planes will appear to
distinct element that is independent of bypass the other. The opening diminishes
the surfaces it joins. This element the corner condition, weakens the
articulates the corner as a linear definition of the volume within the form,
condition, defines the edges of the and emphasizes the planar qualities of the
adjoining planes, and becomes a positive neighboring surfaces.
feature of the form.
If an opening is introduced to one side of the If neither plane is extended to define the corner, a
corner, one of the planes will appear to bypass the volume of space is created to replace the corner. This
other. The opening diminishes the corner corner condition deteriorates the volume of the form,
condition, weakens the definition of the volume allows the interior space to leak outward, and clearly
within the form, and emphasizes the planar reveals the surfaces as planes in space
qualities of the neighboring surfaces
Rounding off the corner emphasizes the continuity of the
bounding surfaces of a form, the compactness of its volume,
and softness of its contour. The scale of the radius of curvature
is important. If too small, it becomes visually insignificant; if too
large, it affects the interior space it encloses and the exterior
form it describes.
HOW WE PERCIEVE PLANES

Our perception of the shape, size, scale, proportion, and visual

weight of a plane is influenced by its surface properties as well
as its visual context.
• A distinct contrast between the surface • A frontal view reveals the true
color of a plane and that of the shape of a plane;
surrounding field can clarify its shape, oblique views distort it
while modifying its tonal value can either
increase or decrease its visual weight.
• Elements of known size within the • Texture and color together affect the visual
visual context of a weight and scale of a plane and the degree to
plane can aid our perception of its size which it absorbs or reflects light and sound
and scale.

• Directional or oversized optical patterns can

distort the
shape or exaggerate the proportions of a plane.
SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS
BY: AR. NORIEL JEANNE T. TUPAZ
Space within a
Interlocking Spaces
Space
The field of a space may
A space may be
overlap the volume of
contained within the
another space.
volume of a larger
space.
Adjacent Spaces Spaces Linked by a Common
Two spaces may abut each other or Space Two spaces may rely on an
share a common border. intermediary space for their relationship
SPACE WITH IN A SPACE
Enveloping and Contained Spaces:

Size Difference is Key:

Orientation and Form:

INTERLOCKING SPACE
The interlocking portion of the two
volumes can
be shared equally by each space.

The interlocking portion can merge with

one of the
spaces and become an integral part of
its volume.

The interlocking portion can develop its

own integrity
as a space that serves to link the two
original spaces.
ADJACENT SPACE
• limit visual and physical access between two adjacent spaces,
reinforce the individuality of each space, and accommodate
their differences.

appear as a freestanding plane in a single volume

of space.
• be defined with a row of columns that allows a high degree of
visual and spatial continuity between the two spaces.

be merely implied with a change in level or a contrast in

surface material or texture between the two spaces. This and
the preceding two cases can also be read as single volumes of
space which are divided into two related zones.
SPACED LINKED BY A
COMMON SPACE
The two spaces, as well as the intermediate space, can be
equivalent in size and shape and form a linear sequence of
spaces.

The intermediate space can itself become linear in form to link

two spaces that are distant from each other, or join a whole
series of spaces that have no direct relationship to one another
The intermediate space can, if large enough, become the
dominant space in the relationship, and be capable of
organizing a number of spaces about itself.

The form of the intermediate space can be residual in nature

and be determined solely by the forms and orientations of the
two spaces being linked
Centralized Organization
A central, dominant space about which a number of secondary
spaces are grouped

Linear Organization
A linear sequence of repetitive spaces

Radial Organization
A central space from which linear organizations of space extend
in a radial manner

Clustered Organization
Spaces grouped by proximity or the sharing of a common visual
trait or relationship

Grid Organization
Spaces organized within the field of a structural grid or other
three-dimensional framework