LECTURE 3

Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

College of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Instructor: Bikila Merga (MLARCH)

 Form in Architecture
Content
1. Form and Its properties
• What is form and are its characters
2. Types of Form
• Primary and irregular(platonic forms) forms
3. Transformation of Form
• How a complicated form is produced from primary forms
4. Organization of Form
• How we group and arrange forms
5. Articulation of Form
• How we enhance the aesthetics quality of a form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
1. Form and Its Properties
1.1 Form
• a sense of three dimensional mass or volume
• the total visual appearance of a design.
• the point of contact between mass and space
• an external appearance that can be recognized
• the manner of arranging and coordinating the elements and parts
of a composition so as to produce a coherent image
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
1.2 Visual Property of Form
• we identify form by its Visual Property
• Shape

• Size

• Color and

• Texture
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
Visual Property of Form (cont…)
1.2.1 Shape
• The outline of the configuration of a particular form
• Shape is the principal aspect by which we identify
and categorize forms.
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
Visual Property of Form (cont…)
1.2.2 Size
• The physical dimensions of a form: length, width & height
• Proportion: relationship among a particular form length,
width and height
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
Visual Property of Form (cont…)
1.2.3 Color
• The visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum light
that is reflected by the form.
• Affects the visual weight of a form
• Distinguishes a form from its environment
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
Visual Property of Form (cont…)
1.2.4 Texture
• The visual quality given to a surface by the arrangement of its
parts
• Affects the visual weight of a form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
1.3 Relational Properties of Form
• properties inherited because of its relationship with its
surrounding
• Position

• Orientation

• Visual Inertia
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
Relational Properties of Form(cont…)
1.3.1 Position
• The location of a form relative to its environment or the visual
field within which it is seen. ( at middle, back, front…)
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
Relational Properties of Form(cont…)
1.3.2 Orientation
• The direction of a form relative to the ground plane, compass,
person viewing the form ….
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form and Its Properties (cont…)
Relational Properties of Form(cont…)
1.3.3 Visual Inertia
• The visual stability of a form that depends on its orientation
relative to the ground plane
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
2. Types of Form
2.1 Primary Forms
2.1.1 Sphere
• A solid formed by a rotation of a circle about its diameter
• Self centered and stable in normal position
• From any view, it retains its circular shape
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Types of Form (cont…)
Primary Forms(cont…)
2.1.2 Cylinder
• A solid formed by a rotation of a rectangle about its one side
• It is a centered form but can be extended in one direction
• Stable on its base position, but unstable when inclined
• Its top view is circle and side view is rectangular
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Types of Form (cont…)
Primary Forms(cont…)
2.1.3 Cone
• A solid formed by a rotation of a right triangle about its axis
• It is a self centered form
• Stable on its base position, but unstable when inclined & overturned
• Its top view is circle and side view is right triangle
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Types of Form (cont…)
Primary Forms(cont…)
2.1.4 Pyramid
• A polyhedron having a polygon base and triangular faces
• It is a semi self centered form
• Stable in any position except overturned
• Its top view is polygon and side view is a triangle
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Types of Form (cont…)
Primary Forms(cont…)
2.1.5 Cube
• A prismatic solid bounded by six equal square sides
• It is easy to combine with other forms
• Stable in any position except at its vertex
• Its view is square from any direction
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Types of Form (cont…)
2.2 Regular Forms
• A form of which parts are related one another in consistent &
orderly manner
• Stable in nature and symmetrical about one or more axis
• Retain their regularity when transformed dimensionally and etc
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
Types of Form (cont…)
2.3 Irregular Forms
• A form of which parts are dissimilar and related one another in
random manner
• Asymmetrical and more dynamic
• Can be regular forms from which irregular forms are subtracted
• Results from an irregular composition of regular forms
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form
• All other forms can be understood to be transformation of
the primary solids
• Variation of forms can be achieved by
• Dimensional Change
• Addition of other Forms
• Subtraction of Parts
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.1 Shape Transformation
• Once we have the initial form in the design process, we can perform operations
that change its form in some way
• The most common shape transformations are:
• Rotation

• Reflection

• Scaling

• Translation

• Stretching

• Shearing
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.1 Shape Transformation (cont…)
3.1.1 Rotation
• A Form transformation by rotating the basic form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.1 Shape Transformation (cont…)
3.1.2 Reflection
• A Form transformation by mirror reflection of the basic form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.1 Shape Transformation (cont…)
3.1.3 Scaling
• A Form transformation by increasing the size of the basic form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.1 Shape Transformation (cont…)
3.1.4 Translation
• A Form transformation by repetition of the basic forms
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.1 Shape Transformation (cont…)
3.1.5 Stretching
• A Form transformation by increasing on dimension of the basic
form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.1 Shape Transformation (cont…)
3.1.6 Shearing
• A Form transformation by changing the angle of the basic form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.2 Combination Transformation (cont…)
3.2.1 Addition Transformation
• Such transformation is happened by relating or physically attaching
one or more subordinate forms to its volume
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.2 Combination Transformation (cont…)
3.2.1 Addition Transformation (cont…)
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.2 Combination Transformation (cont…)
3.2.1 Addition Transformation (cont…)
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.2 Combination Transformation (cont…)
3.2.1 Addition Transformation (cont…)
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.2 Combination Transformation (cont…)
3.2.1 Addition Transformation (cont…)
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.2 Combination Transformation (cont…)
3.2.2 Subtraction Transformation
• when parts of a primary solid are missed, a new form will be
formed
• depend on the subtraction process, the primary form may retain
or loose its identity
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
3. Transformation of Form (cont…)
3.2 Combination Transformation (cont…)
3.2.3 Formal Collisions Transformation
•w
•d
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
4. Form Organization
4.1 Centralized Form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
4. Form Organization (cont…)
4.2 Linear Form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
4. Form Organization (cont…)
4.3 Radial Form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
4. Form Organization (cont…)
4.4 Clustered Form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
4. Form Organization (cont…)
4.5 Grid Form
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.1 Concept of Form Articulation
• The manner in which the surfaces of a form come together to define
its shape and volume
• Revealing the precise nature of its parts and their relationship
• Surfaces appear as discrete planes with distinct shapes
• The overall configuration is legible and easily percieved
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.2 Methods of Form Articulation
1. Differentiating adjoining planes by
• Change in color, texture, material or pattern

2. Developing corners as distinct linear elements from surfaces

3. Removing corners to physically separate neighboring plans

4. Lighting the form to create sharp contrasts in tonal value along
Edge and corner
5. Lighting the form to create sharp contrasts in tonal value along
edges and corners
6. The corner of the form can be rounded or colored
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.1 Corner Articulation (cont…)
A. Untreated Corner
• If the surfaces of a form simply untouched, then the corner
remain

• Articulation of the form depends on the visual treatment of the

surfaces

• Such corner rather emphasizes the volume of a form

 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.1 Corner Articulation (cont…)
B. Distinct Corner
• A separate and distinct corner element independent of surfaces

• This element articulates the corner as a linear condition

• It defines the edges of the adjoining planes

• The corner becomes a positive feature of the form

 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.1 Corner Articulation (cont…)
C. One Side Open Corner
• One of the planes will appear to by pass the other

• The opening diminishes the corner condition

• It weakens the definition of the volume of the form

• It emphasizes the planar qualities of the adjoining surfaces

 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.1 Corner Articulation (cont…)
D. Two Sides Open Corner
• A volume of space will be created to replace the corners

• It deteriorates the definition of the volume of the form

• It allows the interior space to leak outward

• It reveals the adjoining surfaces as planes in space

 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.1 Corner Articulation (cont…)
E. Rounded Corner
• It emphasizes the continuity of the adjoining surfaces
• It also features the compactness of its volume and the softness
of its corner
• If the radius is small , it becomes visually insignificant

• If the radius is large,

• It affects the interior space it encloses and the exterior
form it describes
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.2 Surface Articulation
A. Color
• Color contrast b/n a surface and its surrounding clarify its shape
• Modifying its tonal value can affect its visual wieght
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.2 Surface Articulation (con…)
B. Texture
• Texture of a form affects
• Visual weight
• Scale of a plane
• Light and sound reflection quality of the plane
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.2 Surface Articulation (con…)
C. Pattern
• Directional or oversized optical patterns can
• Exaggerate the proportion of a plane
• Distort
 Space in Architecture (cont…)
5. Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3 Types of Form Articulation (cont…)
5.3.2 Surface Articulation (con…)
D. Elements of Known Size (scaling elements)
• Aid our perception of the form’s
• Size
• Proportion
• Scale