Chapter One: Architecture and Urban Design

ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN
2011
Chapter One
Introduction
Definition
Although the word "architect" derives from the Greek phrase meaning "master builder," in practice
"architecture" has gradually acquired the connotation "art of building." Today not all architects would
admit that it is an art. Several of them would insist that it is an application of technology, while others
would claim that it is a science. However, all would agree that the product of the discipline is real,
whether it be a single building, a group of buildings, a community, or a whole city- even if the architect is
concerned only with the design and conception.
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings & structures. A wider definition would include
within its scope the design of the total built environment , form the macro –level of town planning,
urban design and landscape architecture to micro- level of creating furniture. Architectural design
usually must address both feasibility and cost for the builder as well as function and aesthetics for the
user.
Architecture then is an art and any art must give as pleasure or else it is bad art, or we are
abnormally blind. This Pleasure is several kinds and comes from several different sources. Many of us
have felt its call and unknowingly turned away, perhaps perplexed. We feel it vaguely& accept it
something vague. Architecture is a science, and the architect must not only design beautifully, but also
he should see that his buildings are strong and efficient in its functional spaces.
People need places for their activity these activities take place in buildings. A discipline concerned with
design of bldg is Architecture. Hence Architecture the Art and Science of designing buildings and
habitable structures. So What is Art, Science and Design?
What is Art?
A creative human activity in which materials are shaped to convey an idea, emotion, or visually
interesting form.The use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects or experiences
that can be shared with others
Divided into two
o Fine Art: Painting, Sculptor, Music & Poetry

o Decorative Art: pottery, weaving, metalworking, and furniture making.
What is Science?
The systematic observation of natural events and conditions to discover facts about them and to
formulate laws and principles based on these facts. No creativity but based on research.
Divided into two
o Natural Science: physics, biology, chemistry
o Social Science: like sociology, economics, geography
HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 1

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What is Design?
A rational, logical, sequential process intended to solve problems. Involves making a detailed plan of
the form or structure of something. Emphasizing features such as its appearance, convenience,
durability and economy.
Then What is Architecture?
Architecture is a discipline which uses art and science knowledge and skill to create, improve and
restore habitable structures specially buildings.
According to Marcus Vitruvius, Architecture is
o Commodity (function): serving a purpose

o Delight (aesthetics): visually pleasing & stimulate a sense organ
o Firmness ( strength): erectable and durable
Art: only aesthetics & serve a purpose. Science: principles based on facts.
Architecture is an interdisciplinary field, drawing up on mathematics, science, art, technology, social

sciences, politics, history and philosophy. The fact is that architecture started as a technique of
construction, which was gradually specialized into the construction of buildings rather than the building
of bridges, roads, and public works, which became the special domain of the engineer. Architecture
began as a technique and was transformed into an art – sometimes completely overshadowing the
technique. It began as handicraft and artisanship (the architect was the actual builder-entrepreneur),
then turned to design and management. Architecture is concerned with individual houses, large
composite building complexes, and even whole cities, although the latter specialization is also the
province of the town planner. Through architecture, space is compartmentalized : there is the usable
interior area; the total area, that is, the shell and the means; and the external space, which is indirectly
changed after the inner area has been defined. The degree to which these different kinds of space fulfill
the expected requirements qualifies the degree of success of an architectural work.
Architectural Evolution
In early human history local, natural architecture grew much like a plant (conditioned by the local
climate and easily obtainable raw materials). Where conditions warranted (reasonable climate, enduring
building materials, and the processes of civilization), the architectural plant thrived. Local architecture
did not everywhere lead to great styles, but where it did, architectural efforts of the past continue to
influence present-day traditions.
The buildings we have inherited from the Near Eastern civilizations of antiquity belong predominantly to
religion - especially in Egypt - although there are some examples of fortifications and palaces. Regular
houses, even of the wealthy families, seem always to have been built of materials that could not
withstand weather and time; thus, we know only how people built for gods and kings, not how they
built for themselves. Whatever we have inherited shows architecture as a monumental art and not at all
as an art of everyday life.

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Feeling of architecture
Architecture is something that I can’t describe because it has no smell, no touch- but it is a feeling
.it has a spirit in that it can be what it wants to be.
Louis khan /architect/
“Architecture is the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light. Thus
cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders or pyramids are the great primary forms which light reveals to
advantage; they are not only beautiful forms.
Le-Corbusier / architect/
THE ARCHITECT'S ROLE

The regulated profession of architecture is relatively new. In ancient, traditional cultures and languages,
the same word was used for both architect and builder. Construction was an integrated craft in which
the master mason or master carpenter knew how to design & erect structures from foundation to roof.
THUS THE FIRST PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE SHELTER BECAME, THE FIRST
ARCHITECTS.
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION CHANGED THE CRAFT OF BUILDING. The
advent of new materials, new machines, new engineering techniques, and new building requirements
made it increasingly difficult for any one person or organization to master every facet of building design
and construction- specialization became inevitable.
The conventionally defined role of architects is to design & built the buildings with beauty, stability,
utility and, it is often hoped, cost-effectiveness.
ARCHITECTS' FUNCTIONAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY:

o Is to prepare drawings and specifications.
o Accurately showing what to construct.
o To assist clients in getting project designs approved by all concerned parties.
o And to mediate and provide guidance during the construction of projects.
Quotations in Architecture
1. A house is a machine for living in. Le Corbusier (1887 - 1965) Towards a New Architecture
2. A modern, harmonic and lively architecture is the visible sign of an authentic democracy.
Walter Gropius (1883 - 1969)
3. A structure becomes architecture and not sculpture when its elements no longer have their
justification in nature. Guillaume Apollinaire (1880 - 1918)
4. An architect's most useful tools are an eraser at the drafting board, and a wrecking bar at the site.

2011
Attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 - 1959) U.S. architect.
5. Architecture begins where engineering ends. Walter Gropius (1883 - 1969)
6. Architecture in general is frozen music. Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling (1775 - 1854)
7. Architecture is the art of how to waste space. Philip Johnson (1906 - 2005)
8. Water is the wine of architecture. Ada Louise Huxtable
Architecture and Other Related Disciplines
Task of Architect is to change Client Needs to Concepts to Building Image
Three parties involve in realization of Client Needs
Design isn't a single professional task. Role of Architect is coordination & leadership
It is important to know other related disciplines including

Urban Planning & Design
Civil Engineering
Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
Sanitary Engineering
Urban Planning
The organization of all elements of a town or urban envi.dealt with land use and the physical
arrangement of city structures. Urban planning document contains zoning ordinances like
residential, commercial zone and subdivision regulations like plot size of building and housing codes
like height limitation
Urban Design

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Before 1960s: ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN & Urban Planning were the same after 1960s,
split into
o Urban Planning: focus on land use pattern & socio-economic issues at city and region
level
o Architecture : focus on design of buildings
Urban design is the art & science of design of public spaces
Civil Engineering
Practical application of science and math in the design of structures like road, bridge, dam etc
Building components
o Architectural: non supporting & space defining: walls, windows

o Structural : supporting like foundation, beam, column, slab
Civil (Structural) Engineer
o design structural parts of a building

Electrical Engineering
Design, application, and manufacture of systems and devices that use electric power and signals
o Building components includes electrical system switches, sockets, light points, water
pump
o Electrical Engineer design the electrical system of a building
Mechanical Engineering
Design and manufacture all types of machineries. building also include mechanical systems like
o lifts, escalators, heating, cooling, ventilating systems

o Mechanical Engineerdesigns the mechanical systems of a building
Sanitary Engineering
Design of water treatment, distribution and supply system, drainage system and sewerage
system in a building. We need water and swear will be produced
o Sanitary Engineer designs the water supply, sewerage and drainage system of a building and its
compound
Other Disciplines
In a design of advanced buildings like museums, cinemas, meeting halls, hotels other disciples
may involve
• Light Engineer
• Acoustics Engineer
• Interior Designer
• Landscape Architect etc

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Chapter Two
Primary Components of a Building
Building structure
As a whole a building structure comprises of the following
1. Structural frame work

2. Form /mass defined by walls and other structures
3. Space
1. Structural frame work

Structure is a framework on which elements of space enclosure such as walls; columns, beams, roofs,
arches, cantilevers, domes, floors etc are supported.
It should be kept in mind that the structure influences the form of a building even if it doesn’t
determine it. The design & construction of a structure depends up on availability of materials and
construction techniques. What ever may be the type of structure one who is connected with
architecture should know the forces for which structural analysis is essential.
It is necessary to calculate the total load and study the load flow pattern so as to make the total
structure safe, reliable and durable
Structural design procedure consists of the following:-
1. Preparing structural framing plan

2. calculate loads/ live load+ dead load/
3. designing i.e. from top floor to ground floor
Slabs- stairs- beams – column – footing
4. preparation of structural drawings
2. Exterior envelope & interior sub division / Form or enclosing mass/
Mass – is a three dimension shape in space. Material is needed to construct mass. Hence an architect/
/the so called designer/ is concerned with three inter related thing, namely material, mass and space
- material and mass for static function and space for activity and movement of man
- openings are considered interruption in the surface continuity of a mass
Mass is developed from a plan, and a plan is prepared on principle of symmetrical or asymmetrical
planning.

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It is the enclosing mass that gives different characters for buildings. Hence every building has got its
own character. The personal character of a building is achieved through the effect produced due to the
emphasis one horizontal and vertical lines.
Emphasis on horizontal lines convey the idea of the peace & quite and is suitable for residential
buildings, hospitals, hotels etc
Emphasis on vertical lines on the other hand creates a feeling of power and dynamism, and is
suitable for entertaining areas and the likes
There are different ways to achieve enclosing mass effectively. For example
1. Arrangement of space
2. Arrangement of building volume depending up or weather condition
3. The need for clarity and harmony
4. Functional requirements
Circulation
Circulation means path, approach or movement from one space to another
The following points must be considered along with circulation
1. space, which is going to be used should be minimum

2. circulation must be easy
3. “ “ “ Comfortable
4. “ “ “ full fill all its function
5. “ “ “ have full utility
6. Circulation must be clear and easily approachable
7. Circulation must define its purpose and importance
Circulation areas include Foyers, Corridors, Different linkage areas, Stairs, Elevators, Escalators ...& the
likes ……………… Circulation area should not be more than 30% ……………..
3. SPACE
Interior space/Architectural space/
A building is defined as the stable shape in a ground and also considered as the container of space,
which are internal space divided by different areas and volumes.
Quality of light, ventilation, and view from each room and its relations to the adjoining space are
major points that should be studied when designing an interior space.
Volume design & arrangement, lighting, color, effect of various materials, indoor plants, floor
design, curtains, ceiling material & treatment, various types of fixtures etc are elements of interior
space.

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Exterior space/External space

Creation of exterior space for the welfare of all is a challenge for all. Here we should remember that
the physical environment of nature is the main component part of exterior space, and built
environment takes shape in this natural setting
Exterior space deals with the urban space and compound space /landscape/
Urban Space
Urban space includes objects such as bridges, fountains, groups of trees & facade of buildings. In
creation of urban space, three related aspects are mainly considered, i.e. Physical, Social and symbolic,
which are incorporated in street plans, layouts, architectural style of buildings, their design and land use
Landscape
Landscape architecture includes design and development of land for human use and enjoyment
conservation of natural wealth, protection of health

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Chapter Three
Fundamental Elements of Architecture
Definition
Space, form and function are fundamental elements of architecture
o Space is product of enclosing mass

o Form is the mass
o Function is the purpose
Spatial Relationship
The three fundamental elements are interdependent, and also one affects the other. The spatial relation
ship lies on their interdependence
Example - Take your class Room
o As a Room it is simply function as a class that can hold 80 students

o As a space contains Rectangular space
o This forms the mass /form/
By a spatial relation ship here is to mean designing needs their good integration / one affects the other.
Spatial Organization
Spatial organization means composing the three fundamental elements i.e. space, form and function
o Organizing /composing needs to know their nature, relationship and interdependence

o Their nature
1. Form needs – unity, balance, Rhythm, Harmony, contrast, proportion and the likes
2. Space needs – light, ventilation, clarity , easiness, continuity, freedom, homogeneity
3. Function needs – comfort, flexibility, purpose, demand....
To bring good organization / composition of them in the field of architecture is to work on the
appearance, mental and physical comfort of man, economy and time. Further, the organization
/composition can be improved by material, color, texture etc...
Functional Organization
 Every Construction is carried on for certain aims and objects/ those we call function.
 For a good functional organization the aims & objectives /i.e. function/ of the project must be
clear to understand the functional utility of the project.
o The programme + People and their requirements

+ Proposal – site – finance
o Analysis of the programme

- General scope of the proposed bldg

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o Space requirements
+ Regulation and bye-law if there are
+ Establishing areas – function- number of persons
+ Furniture Requirement
+ Flexibility
+ Sanitation, Lighting, ventilation etc...
o Flow Diagram
+ Grouping + circulation
+ Orientation + privacy
+ Elegance + Economy
Function in Architecture
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings. Every building is designed to give services
o Hospital – where patients will treated

o Court House – where you find justice
o Theater – where you see a play
o Hotel- where you recreate
o Church ( Mosque) – where you practice your religion
o School – where you learn
o House – where you live
o The serviceability of any building and its design- FUNCTION
What do you feel, when you see this building?

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o In addition to giving services, a building affects our feelings
o When you enter in some buildings, you will be excited
o When you are in some building, you will be depressed
o When you see some buildings, you will be amused
o When you look some buildings, you will say what a piece of art
o When you are in some buildings, you may be sober
o When you enter in some buildings, you feel relaxed
 The emotional and the feeling aspect of a BUILDING or Its ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN - AESTHETICS
o A building is designed to be erected or constructed, hence
o It should house its occupants and furniture – LIVE LOAD

o It should support its own weight- DEAD LOAD
o It should resist wind load- WIND FORCE
o It should withstand against EARCH QUICK FORCE
o It should be strong enough against FLOODS
o It should resist other NATURAL and ARTIFICIAL FORCES
o The erectibility and constructability of a BUILDING or its ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - STRENGTH
o A building will be designed to give services

o To give this services, it should accommodate
o People
o Furniture and Fixtures
o Equipments
o To do so, it should be void
o The difference b/n building and sculptor
- Building is void and accessible by people
- Sculptor is solid

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o The void part of a building - SPACE
- Through which we enter, circulate, wonder and undertake different activities
o The envelop or outer part of a building - FORM
- Which we see, look, observe and admire
o FORM is the envelop of SPACE
- FORM is exterior, where as SPACE is interior of the building
- FORM differentiate out side and inside
- SPACE is voideness
- Both SPACE and FORM have function
Example of Form

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Example of Space
Functional Aspects of a space of a Building

1. Enclosure
2. Approach & Entry
3. Circulation
4. Light
5. Comfort

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6. Size
7. Shape
8. Adjacency & Sequence
1. Enclosure
o A building houses different activities
o Some activities need differentiation
o Sleeping and Bathing
Spaces for these activities should be divided by
 walls, floors and ceilings

 Building Components to divide spaces are called Space Defining Elements
• FORM is enclosure of interior space
FORM protects the interior of a building from weather
2. Approach and Entry
 To undertake different activities in a building we should approach and access it

 The process of being near a building is APPROACH

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Types of Approach
• Frontal: emphasis front view
• Diagonal: shows effects of perspective
• Round: emphasis form of building
FRONTAL
DIAGONAL
ROUND

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Example for Frontal Approach
Example for Diagonal Approach
o The gate that allows you to enter in to a building or rooms of a building is called
Entry (Entrance)
o Entry to a building should be emphasized and easy to identify
o Types of Entry
• Flush: on the wall
• Projected: coming out from the wall
• Recessed: coming into the interior

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Example for Projected Entry
Example for Recessed Entry

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Example for Flush Entry
3. Circulation
• We need to be able to reach furniture, equipment and other facilities to

perform some tasks.
• A process of wondering through a space of a building - Circulation
• Types of Circulation
• Circulation within a room: interior space
• Horizontal circulation from one room to another: corridor
• Vertical Circulation from one floor to another: Stair, Elevator, Ramp
• Circulation should be
• easy to identify
• comfortable to move through
• sizable enough to allow people and furniture to pass

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Forms of Circulation
• Enclosed
• Open one side
• Open on both sides
Example for Enclosed circulation

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Example for Open one side circulation
Example for Open two-side circulation

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4. Light
• To undertake different activities in rooms, we need light
• Light also affects the feeling that we feel in a room
• Sources of Light
• Artificial Light: costly, unfriendly and controlled
• Natural Light: no cost, friendly and reliable
• Combined: good distribution of light
• Natural Light Sources in Building
- Window
- Sky Light
-Glass Curtain Wall
-Open Down
Light Source
1. Artificial Light Source
• controlled
• different color

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2. Natural Light Source

Natural Light: illuminate with good intensity up to 6m
• uncontrolled
• uni –color
• psychologically good
• provide view
• enlarge room

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3. Combined Light Source
• controlled
• colorful & evenly distributed
• psychologically good
• provide view
• enlarge room

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Natural Light Source
1.Windows
• light
• provide view
• enlarge room

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2. Sky Light
• light
• good distribution of light
• no view
• increase height

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3. Open Down
 light
 no view
4. Glass Curtain Wall

o light
o provide view
o enlarge room
o spatial continuity

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5. Comfort
• Ventilation
• A room should have the appropriate temperature to feel the occupants
Comfort
• This can be done by replacing existing room hot air by fresh air
• This process is called ventilation
• Two kinds of Ventilation
• Artificial Ventilation
Natural Ventilation
• Purpose of Ventilation
• At normal condition an adult
• inhale b/n 0.10 to 0.12 liters air/second
• exhale CO2 of 0.003 to 0.005 liters / second
• generate heat of 100 Watts sensible and 40 watts latent
• produce vapour of 59g of water vapour per hour
• Objective of Ventilation
• to supply oxygen
• to create air movement
• To remove unnecessary air components
• carbon dioxide
• water vapor and moister
• heat and smell
• gas and vapor from industry products
• out door pollutants like dust and smoke
• Indoor pollutants like dust from carpet

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• Artificial Ventilation
• By fans using electricity
• It is costly
• Common USA & Europe
• Natural Ventilation
• By using natural flow of air
• It is less costly
• Common in Africa, Asia and Latin America
• habitable room requires one or more ventilation openings,
• the total area not be less than 1/20 of the floor area of the room
• the opening must be more than 0.9 metres above floor level
• Natural Ventilation design should consider
• To supply fresh air for the occupants

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To change the air in the room sufficiently
• Cross Ventilation
• By using natural flow of air
• It is less costly

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• Stack Effect Ventilation
• Air moves when a temperature
and density difference exists
• Hot air is less dense and it rises
• Cold air is dense and replace
the position of hot air
6. Size
• Diff. activities take place in spaces
• In addition to the activities,
the space should be big enough to house
• Users
• Furniture & Fixtures
• Equipment
• Vehicles

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• Internal Circulation
• Spatial Functionality Criteria related with size
• Proportion
• Users, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment Accommodation
• Circulation Provision
Eg. Bath Room Size Determination & Design
Space for Fixtures

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Space for Activities

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Area Determination
Final Design

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6. Shape
• A room or space needs to have the appropriate shape to
• provide the required function
• accommodate the necessary furniture
• avoid wastage of space
• house enough and clear circulation
A. Rectangular Spaces
• Easy to accommodate furniture
• Less wastage of space
• Flexible

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B. Triangular & Angular Spaces
• Difficult to accommodate furniture
• High wastage of space

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C. Curved Spaces
• Difficult to accommodate furniture
• Need Special Furniture
7. Adjacency and Sequence (cont…)
• Spaces which have related functions should be side by side
• Spaces which have incompatible functions should be far to each others
• Public spaces should be at front
• Private spaces should be at back
• Spaces, that need view, should be oriented to view
• Spaces, that don’t need noise, should be far from noises
• Spaces should be also orient based on solar orientation
• Entrances should be clear and visible (emphasis)

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… Function Ends ….Space Follows…

Space in Architecture

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Space in Architecture
Concepts
• Function
the serviceability of a room (space/building)
• Space
voidness ( interior / hollowness) of a building (room)
• Form
the exterior three dimensional appearance ( envelop) of a building
• Building Service
circulation, lighting, ventilation, heating, sanitation, acoustics,
fire escape systems in building
• Architectural Elements of a building
components of a building for a purpose of function, space and form
• Structural Elements of a building
components of a building for support purpose
1. Space Defining Elements
• Space is voidness
• Space is to be hollow
• We perceive (notice) space, when it is enclosed
• Architectural Elements that enclose spaces –
• Space Defining Elements
1.1 Form
1.2 Horizontal Plane
1.3 Vertical Linear Elements
1.4 Vertical Plane

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1.1 Form Defining Exterior Space
• At Site planning level, a building defines exterior space
around or next to it in the following ways
a) Form an edge of its site defining a street pattern

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b) Surround or Enclose courtyard (atrium) space within it

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c) Enclose a portion of its site as an outdoor space

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d) Merge its interior space with the private out door space with a defined entrance

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ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN

Divided into two

o Fine Art: Painting, Sculptor, Music & Poetry

Divided into two

o Natural Science: physics, biology, chemistry

o Social Science: like sociology, economics, geography

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 1

Then What is Architecture?

According to Marcus Vitruvius, Architecture is

o Commodity (function): serving a purpose

Architecture is an interdisciplinary field, drawing up on mathematics, science, art, technology, social

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 2

Louis khan /architect/

THE ARCHITECT'S ROLE

ARCHITECTS' FUNCTIONAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Walter Gropius (1883 - 1969)

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 3

5. Architecture begins where engineering ends. Walter Gropius (1883 - 1969)

8. Water is the wine of architecture. Ada Louise Huxtable

Architecture and Other Related Disciplines

Task of Architect is to change Client Needs to Concepts to Building Image

Three parties involve in realization of Client Needs

It is important to know other related disciplines including

Electrical & Mechanical Engineering

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 4

o Architectural: non supporting & space defining: walls, windows

o design structural parts of a building

o lifts, escalators, heating, cooling, ventilating systems

• Landscape Architect etc

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 5

Primary Components of a Building

As a whole a building structure comprises of the following

1. Structural frame work

1. Structural frame work

Structural design procedure consists of the following:-

1. Preparing structural framing plan

4. preparation of structural drawings

2. Exterior envelope & interior sub division / Form or enclosing mass/

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 6

The following points must be considered along with circulation

1. space, which is going to be used should be minimum

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 7

Exterior space/External space

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 8

Fundamental Elements of Architecture

o Space is product of enclosing mass

Example - Take your class Room

o As a Room it is simply function as a class that can hold 80 students

o Organizing /composing needs to know their nature, relationship and interdependence

o The programme + People and their requirements

o Analysis of the programme

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 9

+ Establishing areas – function- number of persons

+ Sanitation, Lighting, ventilation etc...

o Hospital – where patients will treated

What do you feel, when you see this building?

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 10

o It should house its occupants and furniture – LIVE LOAD

o A building will be designed to give services

o The difference b/n building and sculptor

- Building is void and accessible by people

HAWASSA UNIVERSITY PAGE 11