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Lecture 2 - Tangible and Intangible in Architecture

The document discusses the tangible and intangible aspects of architecture. It defines tangible aspects as those that can be physically touched, like materials, and intangible aspects as those that can only be experienced, like beauty, joy, or emotions. Architecture has both tangible physical elements and aims to evoke intangible reactions. An architect must understand how to use tangible design elements like form, space, and materials to create intangible experiences for users. The quality of physical existence and ability to provoke abstract reactions are found in all human-made objects.

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ABHINAV SEHGAL
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111 views

Lecture 2 - Tangible and Intangible in Architecture

The document discusses the tangible and intangible aspects of architecture. It defines tangible aspects as those that can be physically touched, like materials, and intangible aspects as those that can only be experienced, like beauty, joy, or emotions. Architecture has both tangible physical elements and aims to evoke intangible reactions. An architect must understand how to use tangible design elements like form, space, and materials to create intangible experiences for users. The quality of physical existence and ability to provoke abstract reactions are found in all human-made objects.

Uploaded by

ABHINAV SEHGAL
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TANGIBLE AND

INTANGIBLE IN
ARCHITECTURE
PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE – II (AR-108 C)
Tangible

• Tangible is that which can be touched.


• Only physical things can be touched.
• So all physical things are tangible.
Tangible in Architecture

• As tangibility relates to physicality, it is measurable.


• Tangibility therefore deals with the physical world.
Intangible
• Intangible is that which can be only experienced.
• Normally it is the qualitative aspect that can not be touched but is experienced
such as beauty, goodness, delight, joy, happiness and the like.
• Intangible aspects are abstract and therefore not measurable. Beauty and
goodness can not be weighed or measured.

Anger Joy
Human expressions
Intangible
• Intangibility with the philosophical world.

Dance Singing
Art forms
Architecture in its final manifestation is a
physical object but both its creation and
the reactions it produces are intangible.
Therefore
Tangible Intangible
• Tangible is that which can be • Intangible is that which can be only
touched. experienced.

• Only physical things can be touched. • Normally it is the qualitative aspect


that can not be touched but is
• So all physical things are tangible. experienced such as beauty,
goodness, delight, joy, happiness and
the like.

• As tangibility relates to physicality, it • Intangible aspects are abstract and


is measurable. therefore not measurable. Beauty and
goodness can not be weighed or
measured.
• Tangibility therefore deals with the • Intangibility with the philosophical
physical world world.
The quality of physical existence
and of evoking reactions that are
abstract are found in all man
made objects.

Examples
Why does this image ‘feel’
good?

Why is it called ‘beautiful’?

What are the aspects that


make it a visual delight?

Because it is simply, so
overwhelmingly beautiful.

It is beautiful to look at from a


distance as well from close.
Its grandness, symmetry, scale,
layout, landscape……….

If these issues are kept in mind


a designer can create beautiful
things.
What is your immediate
reaction on seeing this
visual right after Taj Mahal.

If it is good, try to find out


why it is so and if one does
not like it, one should try to
find out why it is not
likable or what would
make it better.
How does it seem to
you now??

Does the context and


setting affect the
appreciation?
What is your reaction on
seeing this visual?

Let us enumerate the


elements that makes it so
unique……..
Can you now describe the feelings on seeing this image in a few words.
How would you like to live
in this house?

This is “Falling Waters’ by


Frank Lloyd Wright.

Try to note what makes


this house so interesting.
Would you like to live in
this house?

This is “Villa Savoye” by


Le Corbusier

Try to note what makes


this house so interesting.
This is not very pretty.

It is important to figure out


why it is not pretty so that
the designer can avoid
making the mistakes that
stop this from becoming
pretty.
This was a religious place for
people where people go for
their and pray for their peace
and prosperity.

Currently it is being used as a


museum.

This structure is inspired from


a “Mountain”.

Mountain represent the


strength, height, give courage
for face any situation of life in
any type of position.
There is a ‘feel’ of
plasticity in this
architecture.

This has come about by the


curved lines for all the
elements used to create
this spatial organization.

The curved line is the


tangible reason for the
intangible reaction.
Note the difference in the two spatial environments.
How has this difference been created?
Note the differences in these bedrooms.
Conclusions
• The previous slide showed views that created different reactions.
• To find why these different reactions were created, it is necessary to
quantify the reasons.
• Ultimately a designer has to finally give dimensions and allocate
materials to create designs.
• Architecture in its final manifestation is a physical object but both its
creation and the reactions it produces are intangible.
• An architect endeavors to create objects that produce positive reactions in
the users and viewers.
A designer or a creator, therefore, has
to convert the intangible into the
tangible.
Thank You
Assignment
• Discuss briefly the tangible & intangible aspects of one important International
building discussed in the class.

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