• Residential building density: the coverage ratio of the building,

Chapter 4 Architecture shape and Facade that is, the area of the first floor of the building / planned land
area.
Design
• Floor area ratio (FAR): The ratio of the total construction area of
4.1 Requirements for architectural shape and facade a plot to the area of land. In a good residential area, the floor
design area ratio of high-rise building should not exceed 5, and the
multi-storey building should not exceed 2.
1、 Influence of planning and environment on shape
• Green land rate: The ratio of the area of green space within the
and facade planned construction land area to the planned construction land
2、 Effect of use function on shape and facade area.
3、 Influence of material and technical conditions on
shape and facade

4.1.1 Urban Planning and Environmental Conditions 4.1.2 Use functions

Effects of function on body shape and elevation
The topography, geology, climate, location, orientation, shape, size, The exterior image of the house should reflect the combined characteristics of the
roads, greening, and relationships with the original building complex interior space of the building. The aesthetic issues must be closely combined with the
functional requirements.
at the building base all have a great impact on the exterior image of
the building.
1. The building located in the natural environment should be
adapted to the local conditions, combined with the changes in the
topography to make the building staggered, leveled, and integrated
with the environment. Theater building
Commercial Building

. A holiday villa in Pennsylvania, USA,

designed by American architect Wright.
He chose a site with a complicated
terrain and a stream falling, and built the
villa above a small waterfall. *

Kauffman Villa (Water Villa) Office building

Residential building

1
4.1.3 Treatment of body shape and elevation by 2. Frame structure
material technical conditions
1. Facade treatment of masonry-concrete structure

Tokyo National Museum Chicago Department Store(1962) US

3. Large space structure

Paris National Centre for Industry and Technology

(Thin shell structure)

Fuji World Expo Osaka The prefabricated double-curved double-layer thin shell, the total
(Inflatable structure) thickness of the two-layer concrete shell is only 12 cm. The shell plane
An air-supported structure is used, relying on the air overpressure (usually is triangular, with a span of 218 meters on each side and 48 meters
0.1 overpressure, provided by the air-conditioning fan) as a support for the above the ground. The total building area is 90,000 square meters.
roof, the span reaches 50m.

2
 4.2.1 Unification and change
4.2 Basic principles of building modeling and
facade composition Unity and change are the basic laws of all forms of beauty, and they are
universal and general.
1 Seeking Unity with Simple Geometry
◆ Unification and change For example, cylinders, cones, cuboids, cubes, spheres and other shapes are
◆ Balance and stability naturally unified because of their simple, clear and affirmative shapes.
See [Simple body treatment]
◆ Rhythm 2 Main and subordinates buildings are distinct
◆ Contrast In the shape design of complex mass buildings, the relationship between the
main and the subordinates, the key points and the general should be properly
◆ Proportion handled, so that the building can be clearly distinguished from the main and
subordinates, and the main and secondary lines can be used to achieve a
◆ Scale complete and unified effect.
(1) Use the treatment of the axis to highlight the subject example
(2) Highlight the subject with a low height example
(3) Use image changes to highlight the subject example

Simple geometric shapes (1) Use the treatment of the axis to highlight the subject

Designed by American architect Ieoh Ming Pei. Modern materials are

displayed in a traditional environment. The reflections of the
timeless styling on the water reflect changes in the sky and light. The
modern glass pyramid creates a vibrant visual and effect and
becomes a scene in Paris.

Louvre
Victoria Emmanuel Ⅱ Monument Italy

3
 (3) Use image changes to highlight the subject
(2) Highlight the subject (main part) by a low height

The use of circles, polylines, or more complex contour lines in

building modeling can achieve the effect of highlighting the main
subject and controlling the global situation.

It was designed by France

Charbond Architects and
East China Architectural
Design Institute and built in
1998.

Shanghai Grand Theatre

Hilfusen city hall, the Netherlands

Asymmetric equilibrium
4.2.2 Balance/Equilibrium and stability Designed: 1999-2000
The office building includes office, computer room, business hall, exhibition hall and
• Balance/Equilibrium and stability other contents. Its base is divided into east and west. Office buildings and front squares are
arranged on the west side near the People's Avenue, and green squares, parking lots, and
tennis and basketball courts are organized on the east.
• When dealing with the equilibrium and stability of buildings, consideration
should be given to the relationship between the quality and weight of each The main building is a 12-story office building with a rectangular shape, arranged to
building's modeling elements. the northwest side, and the main direction to the north-south direction; business and
See [Processing of quality and weight of architectural modeling elements] exhibition halls, large conference halls, etc. are arranged on the side near the corner of
the road. The two parts are linked by a three-story rotunda.
• The characteristics of different buildings can be reflected in a symmetrical
and balanced form to obtain obvious integrity. . The entrance square on the west combines
See [symmetric equilibrium] the characteristics of urban roads with hard
paved squares as the initiative, and fountains
• Asymmetric equilibrium is to balance the center of the building to one side and neat coconut trees as the landscape to
of the building and use the balance of different volumes, materials, colors, form part of the urban space. The green
and changes in reality to achieve the purpose. It is light and lively compared square and leisure activity area on the east
to symmetrical equilibrium. See [asymmetric equilibrium] side take tall trees and lawns as the active
scene, forming an elegant rest environment
• Different approaches to building stability inside
Zhanjiang City Mobile
Communication Complex

4
Different ways to achieve building stability
1. Buildings often require a wide bottom to achieve stability. The smaller size and 4.2.3 Rhythm
lighter weight at the top, and larger size and heavier weight at the bottom can make
the center of gravity of the building as low as possible to achieve a stable effect. Many
buildings have a wide platform awning on the ground floor to form a stable pedestal,
or the formation gradually forms a larger shape which is layer by layer to form a
Rhythm: orderly repetition, regular change.
triangle or a stepped shape from the top to the bottom.

2. With the development of modern new The appearance of the building is shown as a
structures and new materials, the stable rhythmic arrangement of windows, window walls,
idea of traditional masonry structure
which is small size and light weight at
doorways, etc. as the picture shows.
the top and large and heavy weight at
the bottom is gradually changing. Many
low-rise buildings use the characteristics
of a cantilever structure, the texture of
rough materials, and rich colors to
enhance the thickness feeling of the
ground floor, which also achieves a
stable effect.
the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Beijing )

Make use of many repetitive factors in the building,

and consciously repeat or gradually modify these 4.2.4 Contrast
composition factors
1.Contrast: When the two things are compared together, the shape
The changing treatment can make the building and color of the two things appear more distinct. For example,
shape and details give us a stronger and deeper contrast makes the big one bigger, the small one smaller, the deep
impression. one deeper and the shallow shallower. It gives people a strong
See [Gradual Rhythm], [interlaced rhythm] feeling and the deep impression is called contrast.
2. Different image effects can be obtained by contrast and
comparison in the architectural modeling of the same elements.
Proper use of contrast in architectural design is an effective means to
get unity and change.
See [High body mass and low body mass contrast] [contrast between glass and solid wall]

Gradual rhythm
interlaced rhythm

5
 Comparison of high and low body mass
Comparison of glass and solid wall
The east and west wings of the building are three-story, the In terms of appearance, the library embodies a distinctive
central tower is 13 stories above the ground, up to 67m, tall and sculptural character, and the solid white walls contrast strongly
straight, all the walls decorated with white bricks, peacock blue with the dark gray glass. Theses factors add drama to the library's
glazed tile roofs, square stone footings, integrating modern architectural style.
architecture with traditional ethnic style. The beautiful shapes
and bright colors fully reflect the theme of the building.

Kennedy Library

Beijing National Culture Palace

4.2.5 Proportion ４.2.6 scale

1. Proportion refers to the relationship among the three dimensions of length,
width and height. There is a proportion relationship between the whole and the
part or between the parts. A good proportion can give people a harmonious 1. Scale: The scale studies the relationship between the
and perfect feeling, otherwise, imbalance of proportion cannot make people sensory size and the real size of the whole building and its
feel beautiful. local components.
2. Each part of a building is generally made up of a certain geometry. 2. In architectural design, people or some constant factors
Therefore, in architectural design, it is helpful to get a harmonious proportion
by consciously paying attention to the similarity of geometric shapes related to human activities such as doors, steps, railings,
etc. are used as comparative standards, and a certain
sense of scale is obtained through comparison with them.
See [scale sense of building]
3. There are usually three ways to deal with scale:*
Maintain the same (1) Natural scale
relationship between (2) Exaggerated scale
windows and windows and
between windows and walls
(3) Cordial scale
by overlapping,
perpendicular and parallel
diagonal lines

6
 Exaggerated scale
Use exaggerated techniques to give people a sense of scale
beyond their true size. Commonly used in monumental
buildings or large public buildings to express a solemn and
majestic atmosphere

scale sense of building

Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing

Cordial scale 4.3 Architecture shape combination

Get a smaller-than-real feel at a smaller scale, giving a friendly
and pleasant scale. Often used to create small, intimate and and facade design*
comfortable atmospheres, such as garden buildings
4.3.1 Shape combination/composition

4.3.2 Turning and corner treatment of

architecture shape

4.3.3 connection of the shape

4.3.4 Facade design

Suzhou traditional gardens

7
 4.3.1 Building shape combination
3 Complex body shape combination

1 Single shape combination Complex body shape combination is a combination of more than two
There are two ways of single shape combination. masses, with a rich body shape/appearance, which is more suitable for
buildings with more complex functional relationships. Because there are
2. Unit combination multiple masses in a complex shape, there must be a problem of
Unit combination is to combine several independent volumes/body in a coordination and unification between the masses and the masses.
certain way. Units are often used in residences/houses, schools, and
hospitals. This combination has the following characteristics: Pay attention to the following issues in the combination:
(1) Flexible combination
(1) Main-secondary relationship of body combination
See [Flexible combination of unit shape] :water villa
(2) The unit itself should have a good shape. (2) Comparison and change of body shape combinations
See [Good shape of the unit itself] Unit residential building (3) Balance and stability of body shape combinations
(3) The unit repeats to form a strong sense of rhythm.

1 Single shape combination 3 Complex body shape combination

Two ways of single shape combination (2) Contrast and change of body shape combinations
Use the comparison of body size, shape, direction, height, height, straightness,
1. Combining complex interior spaces into a complete body shape. color, etc. to highlight the subject and obtain rich and changing modeling
The characteristics of this kind of architecture are the obvious master- effects. Attention should be paid to the reasonableness of internal functions
slave relationship and combination relationship and the shape is unified,
simple, and concise, and gives a clear and strong impression.
2. Reasonably and effectively simplify the complex functional relationships
and various sizes of rooms for different uses and classify them in a simple
planar space form, which is convenient for uniform structural layout.

Contrast and change of

body shape combination
(square and circle contrast)

Comparison and change of body shape

(High and low contrast)

Dulles International Airport Terminal Contrast and change of body shape combination
(straight and folded contrast)

8
(3) Equilibrium and stability of body combinations
4.3.2 Turning and corner treatment
2.Stable composition of building shape
combination Combining the terrain skillfully with the turning and corner can
1. Equilibrium composition of
building shape combination increase the flexibility of the combination and make the building
appear more complete and unified.
2. The corner of the building shape is
1. Turning mainly refers to the
usually combined the main body with
tortuous changes of buildings along
the attached body in a clear master-
the road or terrain. It is actually a
slave way. It can also take the form
simple deformation and extension
of a local volume increase to form a
of a rectangular plane.
tower.

The north elevation of Dallas City Hall is 171 meters long, and it slopes 34 ° north from
the ground. The maximum pick-out distance is 20.7 m. The inclination of the outer wall of
City Hall requires a strong structural system to maintain its balance. The specific method
is to rely on 14 reinforced concrete load-bearing walls and post-tensioned reinforced
concrete box girder at the elevation of the roof to bear the overturning cap. However, it
gives an impression in appearance. It seems that the stability of the city hall is
maintained by three oblong vertical stairwells, which can produce a more psychological
sense of reliability.

(2) Bite connection

4.3.3 Connection of body shape

It is a group space with multiple

(1) Direct connection functions, like a small city,
containing a music hall, a music
museum, as well as a musical
instrument center, a stage theater,
and student accommodation. The
design brings together a variety
Xingyan Building is located in the of three-dimensional geometric
northern part of Shenzhen and elements: cone, cube, prism ...
adopts a direct combination of one They divide the space into
high and two low volumes. 。 sections to meet different
functional requirements.

Shenzhen Xingyan Building

La Willett Music City
深圳星彦大厦

9
 (3) Connected by corridors or connectors
4.3.4 Design of the facade

1 Proportion of the facade

2 Virtuality-reality and concave-convexity of facade
3 Line treatment of facade
4 Color and texture of the facade
5 Highlights and details of the facade

Nagoya Museum of Modern Art, Japan

Sri Lankan Parliament Complex

1 Proportion of the façade 2 The Virtuality(Empty)-reality(solid) and concave-

convexity of the facade
The treatment of the proportion and scale of the facade is ① Virtuality refers to windows, empty corridors, alcoves, etc., giving a light
inseparable from the building function, material performance and transparent feeling; reality refers to walls, columns, roofing, railings,
and structure type. The design of the facade often reflects the etc., giving a thick, closed feeling.。
true size of the building by means of the proportion treatment
of doors, windows, and details.

Shenzhen Nanyou Culture Square

10
② The processing method based on virtuality which can bring ③ Dominated by reality or more reality than virtuality can produce stable,
light and cheerful effect and generally used in high-rise solemn, majestic effects and generally can be used in monumental
buildings, theater entrance halls, restaurants, stations, shops buildings and important public buildings
and other buildings with large crowds

The designer of the Bank of China, Ieoh Ming

Pei, is a master of modern architecture. In his
design, he seeks inspiration from ancient
Chinese philosophy, which embodies the
metaphor of " step up gradually ". Based on this
belief and a symbolist approach, the image of
the Bank of China Tower is a combination of
four highly increasing triangular prisms, similar School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University
to a multi-faceted crystal. The building has a
The design combines the terrain height difference and uses the inner
total of 70 floors and a height of 315 m, which
courtyard organization function to create a good indoor and outdoor
is the symbol of Hong Kong's image.
environment. The shape is simple and the volume is strong. The color of
the exterior bricks is the same as the original old building on the campus.
The building harmonizes with the old building and is a representative of the
Bank of China Tower campus modernist building. Now it’s a scene on campus.

1). Examples of horizontal lines

3 Line treatment of façade

1). Any line itself has a special expressive power and

The new building of the New
multiple modeling functions.
Otani Hotel is 42 stories above
2). The façade of the building is formed by various the ground, with a Y-shaped
lines in the position, thickness, length, direction, straight, plan and horizontal strip
sparse, simplistic, complicated, uneven and other windows on the exterior wall.
aspects to form a beautiful image. The white exterior wall
decoration contrasts with the
window lines, making the
building stand tall and beautiful.

New building at New Otani Hotel Tokyo, Japan

11
 2). Use of vertical and horizontal lines
4. Color and texture of the façade

1). Facade color design mainly enhances the expressive

force of the building by changing the material color to make
them set off and contrast with each other.
2). Different colors have different expressive powers. The use
of different colors can show different buildings’ character,
local area characteristics and national style.
3). The following issues should be paid attention to in the
耶鲁大学贝内克珍本图书馆 color design of the building:
Beineke Rare book and manuscript library in Yale University
4). Facade design often uses different texture materials to
This is a library dedicated to Yale University's rare books and enhance the expressive power of buildings. It is easy to
manuscripts. It was built in 1960-1963. The shape of the library is like obtain vivid results by using the contrast of different material
a huge and exquisite jewelry box. The outer wall of the library is inlaid textures. See [Example of texture treatment of facade materials]
with thin marble slabs that can penetrate the light. There is also a
glass-enclosed suite inside, which holds rare books and manuscripts.

The following issues should be paid attention to in the color

design of the building.
② The use of color must be closely coordinated with the environment

① Color processing must be harmonious, unified and full of change

This large apartment house can

accommodate 337 households with
a total of 1,600 people. The exterior
of the building uses unpainted
concrete surfaces, creating a rough
and original/primitive atmosphere.
The large-scale balcony surfaces
are painted with bright colors such
as red, blue, and yellow, reflecting British Red House
Le • Le Corbusier's aesthetics of
brutalism. The building plan is arranged in an L-shape according to functional needs.
The outer wall is built with local red bricks, without painting, and the
Apartments in Marseille, France traditional external decoration is eliminated. The roof is also covered with
red tiles, which fully reflects the texture of the material itself and artistic
modeling Exquisite. The building is named Red House because of its
appearance.

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 ③ The choice of basic color should be based on the climatic
characteristics of each place

5 Highlights and details of the facade

① Focusing and detailing on some parts of the building

through contrast methods can highlight the subject and
break the monotony. See [Key treatment of building facade]
② Architectural details must be treated as a whole, and
details close to the human body should give full play to
the aesthetic effects of material color, texture, texture
and gloss. For high-level details, the overall contour and
Sitelli Essen, United States attention to color, lines, and other large effects should
Rough stone walls, unpainted wood and white canvas boards are generally be emphasized, and it should not be too
intricately organized, and this organization is informal and full of wild delicate. See [Detailed processing example of elevation]
interest, but it gives people a sense of strictness and elegance, no
clutter. It has both the naturalness of the original form and the strong
geometry. It matches the local hot and dry climate and rough natural
plants, and it is very noticeable in the desert landscape.

Facade treatment of buildings

3. Important parts reflecting the character of the building
2. The characteristic part of the
1. Main entrance and stairwell building model
of the building

Kaohsiung Cultural Center, Taiwa (China)

The main building of the building sits north to south, the building plan is square, and
Bastille Opera House the outer corridor around the building fully reflects the local climate characteristics.
Frankfurt DG Bank Complex With a proper proportion and scale, it expresses the unique charm of beams and
columns interspersed in traditional architecture. The far-reaching top design of the
The top of the tower has a protrusion of 10.5m building's eaves ingeniously makes the overall building appearance very appealing.
outwards, which looks like its "bonnet".

13