What is theory?

Theory

-Abstract thought or speculation resulting in a system

of assumption or principles used in analyzing,
explaining, or predicting phenomena, and proposed or
followed as a basis of action.

TYPES OF THEORY

▪ Descriptive: simply explains events or phenomena.

▪ Prescriptive: prescribes guidelines.
What is Architecture?

The ART
-product or result of architectural work
And SCIENCE
-style or method of building ,characteristic of a
people, place or time
Of DESIGN
-profession of designing buildings and other
habitable environments
And CONSTRUCTING
-conscious act of forming things resulting in a
unifying or coherent structure
BUILDINGS
ARCHITECTURAL THEORY
ESSENCE & COMPOSITION

•A collection of thoughts, views and ideas

•Organized by theme or topic
•Evolution of thoughts
•Combination of various thoughts,
speculations and concepts

There is no grand theory or unified theory of

architecture.
Principles of Composition
Introduction:

-Architecture has the same basic principles which are

common to painting, sculpture, music and
literature. It deals with unity, balance, rhythm, and
composition.
-It is difficult to isolate a single quality and consider it
alone. A synthesis of all the principles is necessary
in order to insure a unified and satisfactory
composition
-Ability to discern between what is fine and what is mediocre
that quality which we call TASTE-must be developed
•if you get 12 - you possess extraordinarily good
taste ranking with professional
painters, interior decorators, commercial
designers.
•if you get 9 to 11 - this indicate superior taste,
occasionally you make errors, but usually
you choose pleasing designs and colors.
•if you get 7 to 8 - this indicate taste above
average.
•less than 7 correct - you will do well to listen to
expert advise when buying clothes or
decorating interiors.
•If all selections correct - you should have faith in your
taste or innate artistic sense, however, there is a
great difference between appreciating art and
creating art. In addition to appreciation, the
creation of fine art requires talent, study, training
and indefatigable effort.
•if 6 or 7 for a man - you have no hesitation in choosing
your own neckties and shirts no matter how loud
you like them, or in selecting gifts.
for a woman - regardless of what the children say,
paint the room any color you like or buy any kind of
hat.
•if only 4 right - study up a bit on the elements of art –
color harmony, unified and balanced design.
BASIC principles of composition to space - enclosing
elements.

•DIMENSIONS
I. CONTRAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . variety
II. PROPORTION . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . relationships
Ill. SCALE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . size, magnitude
•GRAVITATIONAL CURVES
IV. BALANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Equilibrium
•HEIRARCHY
V. RHYTHM .. ... .. . ... ......... . . . . . . . . repetition
VI. UNITY .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. harmony
VII. CHARACTER .. .. . .. ... .... . . .. expressiveness
CONTRAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Variety
Our physical impressions are made possible through
contrast.
-We can hear because of the contrast between silence
and sound
-We can feel because of the contrast between the quality
of objects
- We can see a building because of the contrast in the
shapes and textures of the surfaces which enclose
space to make architecture.
-By contrast the qualities of each design are emphasized.
- It is through contrast that we secure proper scale,
proportion, and unity and consequently, a
satisfactory design
TYPICAL CONTRAST:
1. CONTRAST OF FORM
shape
mass
2. CONTRAST OF LINE
direction
type
3. CONTRAST OF SIZE
4. CONTRAST OF TONE
1. CONTRAST OF FORM
In order for a shape to be interesting there must be
variety or contrast. Square and circular areas may
create a diversified interest.
2. CONTRAST OF LJNE
- Lines may vary with reference to direction.
-A line may also offer contrast on account of its change
in type or character.
- In an architecture, contrast of types of line gives an
interesting outline or shadow to a building.
3. CONTRAST OF SIZE
-Deals with objects which may have the same
shape and direction but may vary in size.
•Gradation - change in size is gradual and uniform
4. CONTRAST OF TONE
Tone may be secured by contrast of texture, openings,
or planes.
COMBINATION ... . .. . Of CONTRAST
•CONTRAST is the opposite of SIMILARITY.
• If similarity exists to a marked degree, the effect is
monotony.
•Contrast can be present in and just the correct
amount: enough to give variety but not an
excess; which will cause confusion.
CONTRAST IN ARCHITECTURAL SUBJECT:
1. CONTRAST OF MASS
2. CONTRAST OF DIRECTION
3. CONTRAST OF CHARACTER
4. CONTRAST OF TREATMENT
- same materials used in different
treatments
- contrast in pattern of different
materials
- contrast in area
1. CONTRAST OF MASS

Difference between Mass and Form

Mass- how big is the space occupied
Form- shape of something
2. CONTRAST OF DIRECTION
3. CONTRAST OF CHARACTER
4. CONTRAST OF TREATMENT

a. same material used in different treatment

b. contrast of pattern different materials
 c. contrast of area

It is evident that contrast result from dissimilarity, or the association of

unlike masses, areas or tones. Contrast is also opposition -opposition by
which one element wages a successful battle against competing
elements. One shape or color clearly dominates the others. This
condition may also be called emphasis, but this emphasis must be
present in just the proper amount.
RSW #1 anthropometrics and
ergonomics
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2019
Minimum of 2 pages
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BALANCE or equalization ......... Equilibrium

If balance does not exist, there must necessarily be

lack of balance or inequality.

-is equality.
-It is composition.
-It is the foundation upon which arrangement,
harmony and adjustment of weights, tones,
value are developed.

Proper balance satisfies the eye with reference to the

relative importance of the various parts of the design.
AXIS

-The most elementary means of organizing forms

and spaces in architecture.

- It is a line established by two points in space and

about which forms and spaces can be arranged in a
regular or irregular manner.

-imaginary and not visible, but powerful,

dominating, regulating device.

- it implies symmetry. It demands BALANCE.

There are three {3) types of BALANCE in the study of
composition.

1. SYMMETRICAL BALANCE .. . . .. . monumental effect

•centralized
•formal
•Radial

2. UNSYMMETRICAL BALANCE ......... . informal

3. GRAVITATIONAL BALANCE .......picturesqueness of

surroundings.
SYMMETRlCAL

a. Central axis-the easiest and simplest kind of

balance in which the elements are arranged in
precisely the same manner on either side of a
central axis or line.

-It is straight forward and direct.

-The effect of monumentality is more readily

secured by the use of a symmetrical
composition than by an informal grouping of
units.
b. Formal
-another type of balance which approaches
absolute symmetry but which lacks some
of the essentials of this kind of
composition.
-The volumes of the balancing units may
correspond, but there may exist a
difference in their shapes and surface
treatments.
-This type of composition is called 'Formal
Balance.'
c. Radial
Is characterized by an arrangement where all the parts
radiate from a center like the spokes in a wheel.
2. UNSYMMETRICAL (Informal)

-Unsymmetrical or occult balance is more difficult to

attain.

-It attempts to satisfy the eye without any effort to

place equal masses at similar distances from
the center of the composition.

-It is the grouping, in an informal manner, of

elements of varying sizes and shapes.
3. GRAVITATIONAL or PICTURESQUE

-This kind of composition is the complete adaptation

to its surroundings

-is the opposite of symmetrical composition.

- In picture-making, balance refers to a "felt" optical

equilibrium between all parts of the Work

- There are several factors which, when combined with

the elements to balance in a work of art. These
factors or variables are position or placement, size,
proportion, quality and direction of the elements of
these factors, position plays the lead role.
RHYTHM movement repetition spacing

Music is an art that is heard.

Architecture is an art which is seen.
to have an emotional appeal

A building is, of course, static. It remains

indefinitely upon its foundations. But there is a
movement of the theme as it travels
across the facade of the building- the eye pausing
here to look at this detail and then going
on to the next.
TWO KINDS OF RHYTHM
1. UNACCENTED RHYTHM -if equally spaced
windows are introduced on the unbroken
wall, then regular repetition is present.
2. ACCENTED RHYTHM -if the openings or details are
arranged in such a manner that some are more
important than others, then the eye grasps the
significance of this relationship and pauses longer in
contemplating the larger elements.
Rhythm refers to the regular or harmonious
recurrence of lines, shapes, forms, or
colors.

It incorporates the fundamental notion of

repetition as a device to organize forms
and spaces in architecture.

Almost all building types incorporate elements

that are, by their nature, repetitive.

Rhythm is ORGANIZED MOVEMENT.

Rhythm may be one of the following :

a. Rhythmic use of color - movement of the eye

across a painting from spot to spot of
similar color.

b. Rhythmic use of line-repetition of a similar type of

line in a piece of sculpture.

c. Rhythm of motion-the movement.

d. Rhythm of direction -continuity of a series of

arches forming an arcade