Semiotics

Semiotics a general philosophical theory of

signs and symbols that deals especially with
their function in both artificially constructed
and natural languages and comprises
syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic.

1
Architectural
Semiotics
Signs, Symbols, & Expressions
 Symbols and methaphors
“ are as much as a part of
the architectural
vocabulary as stone and
steel.
-Ada Louise Huxtable

3
Architectural Semiotics
 architecture is a form of communication.

 architecture can be understood as a

language or grammar, that use signs,
symbols, and expression to construct built
reality of its users and observers.

4
Architectural
Semiotics
 SIGNS  SYMBOLS  EXPRESSION
• Iconic Sign • Symbolic • Cultural Basis
representation and Influences
• Indexical Sign
in drawings in design
• Symbolic Sign

5
Architectural Semiotics:

Signs
are marks or figures having a
conventional meaning and used
in place of a word or phrase to
express a complex notion.

6
Parts of Signs
by Ferdinand de Saussure
 Signifier: The form of a sign.
 Signified: The concept or object that’s
represented

7
3 main types of sign:
Iconic Indexical Symbolic

8
Iconic
is a sign which refers to the
object that it denotes by
virtue of certain characters
of its own and which it
possesses just the same,
whether any such object
actually exist or not

9
Iconic has a physical resemblance to the
signified, the thing being represented.
10
Iconic has a physical resemblance to the
signified, the thing being represented.
11
How does a building
become an iconic sign
or simply ICONIC?
A building design that is “ground breaking”
and that sets new standards in its field.
Such design also stands up to the test of time,
and can be admired as a good design despite
the passing of years, decades and even
centuries.

12
Lotus Temple, India

13
Centre Pompidou, France

14
Sagrada Familia, Spain

15
Indexical
An index describes the
connection between signifier
and signified.
With an index, the signifier
can not exist without the
presence of the signified.

16
In architecture every
sign has an INDICATIVE
component
Indexical signs have a cause-and-effect
relationship between the sign and the
meaning of the sign. It resembles something
that implies the object or concept.

17
Weathercock it
indicates wind
direction

18
Glass doors and walls indicates itself
and what’s behind; it connotes
transparency in office function
19
Windows indicate views/ vistas

20
Symbolic
A sign that has no
resemblance between the
signifier and the signified.
The connection between
them must be culturally
learned

21
How is architecture
used for symbolic
meaning?
Society requires that architecture not only
communicate the aspirations of its institutions
but also fulfill their practical needs.
Architectural forms, which are symbolic, are
vehicles of content.

22
 Early American
skyscrapers: Early skyscrapers
The towers symbolized emerged in the U.S. as
American opulence and a result of economic
braggadocio growth, the financial
organization of
American businesses,
and the intensive use
of land.

Empire State Building, NYC

23
 The building is more than just a symbol of love. It is also a symbol of
power. It showcased the might of Shah Jahan, the ruler of the region.
Taj Mahal, India
24
 Tarlac Capitol, Phils.

The style alludes to the architecture of “Democratic Athens

and Republican Rome,” it is able to “physically symbolize” a
nation’s self-governing ideals.
25
“Institutional Buildings must symbolize governing ideals”

26
 Architectural Semiotics:

Symbols
something used for or regarded
as representing something else;
a material object representing
something, often something
immaterial

27
Translating objects
and methods thru
symbolism
Refers to the object or method that it denotes,
usually any association of general ideas, which
operates to cause that symbol to be interpreted
as referring “to-that” object or method.

28
Architectural
Drawing Symbols
They form an important role in any architecture
drawing and help to define elements such as floor
levels, lighting types and service locations. Electrical
layouts in particular, require many different items
and abbreviations, and accompanied by a key,
symbols provide a clear and tidy method of
identifying their placement, type and use.

29
 Symbols as
language

30
31
 Objects, Materials
as graphic components

32
 Objects, Materials
as graphic components

33
 Allied Engineering
Symbols

34
 Allied Engineering
Symbols

35
 Fixtures as Symbols

36
 Fixtures as Symbols

37
Architectural Semiotics:

Expression
forms a part as the semiotic active component
in the mental totality, which the experience of a
consummate piece of architecture
encompasses.

Architectural expression, however is not the

same as the expression of an emotion.

38
Cultural basis and
influences of
expression in design
The obvious expression of idea to support the
design based on practicality (pragmatic),
culture (typological), resemblance (analogical),
and/or proportional systems (canonic) that will
be communicated physically by the object.

39
 Pragmatic Design
a reasonable and logical way of doing design or of thinking about
problems that is based on dealing with specific situations instead of on
ideas and theories. 40
 Pragmatic Design
Pragmatic design is simply the use of
available materials and methods, as if
selecting from a catalogue.

41
 Pragmatic Design
Pragmatic design is simply the use of available materials and
methods, as if selecting from a catalogue.
42
Typological Design
the members of a particular culture share a fixed ‘mental image’ of what the
design of the building form should be 'like using the materials which happen to
be available, at a particular place with a particular climate, to house an
established lifestyle.

43
Typological
Design
the members of a particular
culture share a fixed
‘mental image’ of what the
design of the building form
should be like

44
 Lever House
The Lever House in New
York, in the 1950s
became the Fixed
Mental image for a
generation of architects
and clients as to what
office buildings should
be like.

45
Analogical Design
the drawing of analogies
(usually visual) into the
solution of one's design
problems with existing
buildings, with forms
from nature (mimetic,
biomimicry) and so on.

46
Analogical Design
Structural analogies with the feeling of tension and compression in the
designer's own body; philosophical analogies with principles from
physics, biology (general systems theory)
47
Canonic Design
Canonic design is the use of rules such as
planning grids, proportional systems and
the like. The classical architectural styles
and their renaissance successors offered
opportunities for such an approach.

48
Canonic Design
Current manifestations
include Le Corbusier's
Modulor, dimensional
coordination and
prefabricated building
systems .

49
What’s the essence of
those Architectural
Semiotics?
They are theoretical manner of giving
meaning (whether allegorically,
practically, definitively) to architectural
forms to signify importance, contribution,
and influence.

50
THAT’S ALL.
Quiz again next meeting

51