Structure, Form, and Architecture: The Synergy

Lecture 06: Connecting Structure and Architecture

Part-I
DR. SHUBHAJIT SADHUKHAN
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING

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Introduction
• Explore relationship between structure and architecture and with the
various forms based on the aspirations and intentions of the designers

• The varieties of relationship can be very wide, ranging between the

extremes of Complete domination of
• the architecture
• the structure
• total disregard of structural requirements in the determination of both
the form of a building and of its aesthetic treatment

Source: Structure and Architecture by Angus J. Macdonald , 2019

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Relationship: Architecture to Structure
• Ornamentation of Structure

• Structure as Ornament

• Structure as Architecture

• Structure Accepted

• Structure Ignored

Source: Structure and Architecture by Angus J. Macdonald , 2019

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Ornamentation
of Structure

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Ornamentation of Structure
• Structural Requirements
dictated the form
• Simple post-and-beam logic
of the structure highlights the
visual expression
• The Doric Order used as
system of ornamentation
evolved from the post-and-
beam structural arrangement

Parthenon
Athens, Greece
Source: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenon

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Ornamentation of Structure

Plan and Elevation (Restored) of Parthenon

Athens, Greece
Source: https://www.magnoliabox.com/products/the-parthenon-from-the-restored-model-in-the-metropolitan-museum-
Source: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenon of-art-illustration-42-18524536

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Ornamentation of Structure

Doric Ionic Corinthian The Column — Types and Styles

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/another-look-at-types-of-
columns-177524

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Ornamentation of Structure

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland, New Zealand
Source: https://www.encirclephotos.com/image/auckland-war-
memorial-museum-in-auckland-new-zealand/

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Ornamentation of Structure

Jefferson Memorial
Washington, DC , USA
Source:
https://npplan.com/parks-by-
state/washington-d-c-national-
parks/national-mall-and-
memorial-parks-park-at-a-
glance/national-mall-and-
memorial-parks-thomas-
jefferson-memorial/

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Ornamentation of Structure

New York Stock Exchange

New York City
Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/another-look-at-types-of-
columns-177524

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Ornamentation of Structure

Source: https://www.aic-iac.org/editorial_n0/theoritst/sofia-tjernstrom/

Potter Building
Manhattan, New York City
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potter_Building

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Ornamentation of Structure

Mumbai International Airport Source: https:https://mediaindia.eu/aviation/mumbai-airports-terminal-1-now-offering-automated-

check-in/

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 Structure
as Ornament

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Structure as Ornament
• Structure is given
visual prominence
• Design process is
driven by visual
rather than by
technical
considerations

Lloyd’s Headquarters Building

London
Source: https://www.dezeen.com/2014/06/01/lloyds-of-london-may-quit-richard-rogers-building-over-
design-frustrations/

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Structure as Ornament

Lloyd’s Headquarters Building

London
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/366216/Lloyd-s-faces-1-5bn-hit-from-Superstorm-Sandy

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Structure as Ornament

Centre Pompidou in Paris Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-pompidou-centers-inside-out-architecture-turns-40-

Paris 1485540495

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Structure as Ornament

The Reichstag Cupola Source: https://www.arch2o.com/reichstag-german-parliament-fosterpartners/

Berlin, Germany

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Summary
• Ornamentation of Structure

• Structure as Ornament

• Structure as Architecture

• Structure Accepted

• Structure Ignored

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Further Reading
• Charleson, A. W., 2005, Structure as Architecture, 2005, Elsevier

• Ching, F. D.K., Architecture: Form, Space & Order, 2nd ed, New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996

• Salvadori, M and Heller,R. A., 1986, Structure in Architecture, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall

• Schodek, D. and Bechthold, M., 2013, Structures,7th ed., Prentice Hall

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Lecture 07: Connecting Structure and Architecture
Part-II

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Thank You

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