THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1

In this course, the would-be Architect will acquire sufficient knowledge of the principles of design by
relating architecture to other art forms and be acquainted with the broader issues of architectural design process.
The student will be able to comprehend initial design theories facilitated by perceptual and proxemics sensitivities
to formulate forms and space towards an architectural design and plans.

CONTENTS:
 MODULE 1: Introductory to Theory of Architecture
 MODULE 2: Elements & Principles of Design, and Color Theory
 MODULE 3: Spatial Theory
 MODULE 4: Architectural Design Process

MODULE 1
Introductory to Theory of Architecture

 Differentiate and interrelate Architecture to different allied professionals

- Originated from the Greek word “Architekton”

- Achi- great, Tekton- builder

Architecture the art and science of designing and constructing buildings. Together with
the allied professionals, Architects will be the designer of the constructions/buildings
while other professionals make them sturdy or possible.

 Identify and understand the 3 virtues of Architecture

 The Vitruvrian Triad- From the Ancient Roman, Marcus Vitruvius Pollio.

- Architects base their practice on many standards. But there is one share by most that have
been unshakeable for millenia. During the height of the Ancient Roman civilization,
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, otherwise known as Vitruvius, wrote his thoughts on
architecture.

1. Firmitas- (solidity and strength)is a buildings ability to remain durable after extended use
and exposure to the natural elements.

- Architects have been able to calculate with greatest levels of exactitude the expected life
spans of their buildings.

- Certain materials have greater durability- as well as the illusion of durabilities- such as
marble, concrete, and brick. One can also gauge the extent of Firmitas (reliable and
 credible structure) by examining the age of a building ( if it lasted several decades
without major renovations).

2. Utilitas- (usefulness) is a building’s ability to appropriately predict and response to the

needs of its intended inhabitants.

- Each of the programs ( school, hospital etc.) requires a unique relationship to the site, as
well as specifically sized rooms and conditions.

3. Venustas- (beauty) is a building’s relationship to its context’s standard aesthetics.

- The element can be made apparent in the use of an attractive building or flooring
materials. Other aspects you can consider are—the level of craftmanship and the attention
to detail (how a wall meets a floor, for example, has been a serious concern for architects
concerned with beauty.

- Venustas used to be a requirement for the majority of newly constructure buildings prior
to the 20th century.

MODULE 2
Elements & Principles of Design, and Color Theory

 Understand and interrelate the different principles and element of design

 Apply the different theories and principles and element of design
https://medialoot.com/blog/the-elements-and-principles-of-design/
 Understand the effect of color to spaces and design

COLOR THEORY

 HOW DO WE SEE?

1. Light
2. Reflective Object
3. Observer

The Electromagnetic Spectrum – The eyes, 380 to 700 nanometers. In terms of wavelength, the
ROYGBIV the range is longest to shortest.

 (Example: Red- longest; Violet-shortest)

 The color that we see is only the reflection of the color.
 The eyes has photoreceptiors.
- Rods ( rods do not perceive color: they are only responsible for light and dark)
- cones (distinguish the color)

 COLORS IN ARCHITECTURE

 HUE (dominant color) major characteristics of the color wheel.

 TINT (addition of pigment white)
  SHADE( addition of pigment black)
 TONE ( addition of pigment grey)

BLACK IS NOT A COLOR, IT IS THE ABSENCE OF LIGHT.

 THE COLOR WHEEL

 PRIMARY COLOR (RYB)- ( RED-YELLOW-BLUE)


 SECONDARY COLOR ( GOV) combination of primary colors.

 Warm Colors- red, orange and yellow.

 Cool Colors- red-violet to yellow green. green, blue, and purple

(calm and soothing)

 TERTIARY COLOR
- Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Blue-Violet, Red-Violet, which
are formed by mixing a primary with a secondary.
 NEUTRALS ( adding gray and black)

 PASTELS(more on the tint)

COLOR SCHEMES

 Achromatic- combination of black, white and grey hues.

 Monochromatic (one hue)and Grayscale (gray and black)
 Analogous ( in one hue, magkakatabi sa colorwheel)
 Complementary Colors ( opposite in the color wheel, magkaharap) magandang tignan pag
pinagsama. Example: orange and blue
 Split Complementary( one color two indirect opposite colors) example: orange, blue and
green.
- Triadic
- Tetradic
- Square

MODULE 3
Spatial Theory

 Apply the different space theory into design

 Have a knowledge on the user requirements in relation to space design

A1. Anthropometry in Architecture

Anthropometry is derived from the two (2) Greek word anthropo(s), human and metricos of or
pertaining to measurements. Whenever the human operator has to interact with the environment it is
important to have details of the dimensions of the appropriate body part. So overall stature is an
important determinant of, for example, room size, door height or cockpit dimensions.
Kinds of Anthropometry

a. Structural anthropometry or often called as Static Anthropometry which deals with simple
dimensions of the stationary human being.

b. Functional anthropometry or called as dynamic anthropometry deals with compound

measurements of the moving

Anthropometrics deals with the human body measurements. Ergonomics deals with how this body
measurements fit into its environment. These two terms are connected with each other and basically
used in designing such spaces, furniture, machines, etc....

Designing does not only mean visual appeal or aesthetics, arrangement of elements, proper use of
design principles but what’s important is its functionality to the one who uses it. To be able to do so,
ergonomist collect data and analyze these ones to make an average value of human measurements.
Thus, it is somehow controlled by gender, geography and physical body build. Without these data,
the functionality of your design may not be effective.

In every furniture design, machine design, spaces, etc. anthropometry was basically the tool to
determine the correct measurements to use on every design.

What is a Space?

Space is a very vague word to describe when it’s non-specific. It may be defined as a boundless
three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction or an open
or enclosed area. Therefore, the question should be “How do you define space in Architecture?” or
“How do Architects perceive spaces?”- in Architecture space control people’s movements, creating a
flow from element to element, telling

Lecture: 10.22.2021
Theory of Spaces

In Architecture, space is

 AREAS

 enclosed room, -

 open area,

 landmark,

 and a part of a building like atriums (a large open-air or skylight-covered space surrounded
by a building)

- public (living areas)/semi private(private but another can visit)/private(only for a person)
 - static(areas for storage, no circulations, utility areas, hindi nadadaanan) /dynamic
(nadadanan, like airports)

 CONTROLS MOVEMENT

 In malls, the going up and going down of escalators are separated for the people to walk
around the spaces.

 SENSES

We answer,

 Who (user)

 What (feelings produced sa colors ng space)

 When (season)

 Where (views/location)

 Why (reason for the user)

SPACE AND COLORED LINES

Paint can change the sence of amplitude of a room.

  Can differentiate old and new.

Anthropometry

Anthropometry is derived from the two Greek word anthropo(s), human and metricos of or
pertaining to measurements.

Kinds of Anthropometry

a. Structural Anthropometry or often called as Static Anthropometry which deals with simple
dimensions of the stationary human being.

b. Functional Anthropometry or called as dynamic anthropometry deals with compound

measurements of the moving human body, e.g Reach and the angular ranges of various joints

How do Architects perceive spaces?

In Architecture, space control people’s movements, creating a flow from element to element, telling
people where to look, what to read and what’s important. When designing interior spaces, the
function of the space, the time people will spend in it, and the mood you want the space to evoke
should be taken into consideration. Generally open spaces are more positive and inviting, on the
other hand, closed or tight spaces have a more negative impact.

Spatial Organization

1. Central Organization (establish place)

- It is a stable & concentrated composition.

- Establish places in space

- It consists of numerous secondary spaces that are clustered around a central, dominant
and bigger space.

2. Linear Organization (row house)

- Consists essentially of a series of spaces.

3. Radial Organization

- Combines linear and centralized organizations. It consists of a dominant central space,

with many radial linear organizations.
 4. Cluster Organization

- Connect spaces using proximity.

- The connected spaces can be grouped gather around a large area or a well-defined
volume.

5. Grid Organization (urbanized areas)

- It consists of forms and spaces whose position in space and their inter relationships are
regulated by a type of plot or a three dimensional field.

- Its capacity on organization is the result of its regularity and continuity that includes the
same elements that distributes.

Spatial Relationships

 Spatial Within a Space

Example: Atrium (in the middle of the house for indirect lightning)

 Interlocking Space (One volume connected to each other)

 Adjacent Space (magkatabi)

 Spaces linked by a commons space (pathway or transition space)

 FORM
 - is the primary identifying characteristic of a volume.

- It is established by the shapes and interrelationships of plans that describe the boundaries
of the volume.

- May refer to an external appearance can be recognized.

Properties:

 Shape- outline or surface configuration of a particular form. We identify and categorize form
through shapes.

 Size- physical dimensions of length, width and depth of a form. While dimensions determine
the proportions of a form, its scale is determine by its size relative to other forms in its
context.

 Colour- a phenomenon of light and visual perception that may be described in terms of an
individual perception of hue, saturation, and tonal value.

 Texture (visual touch)

 Position- (urban planning) location of a form relative to its environment.

 Orientation- compass planning, proper location of structure in cardinal points.

Example: Position of Bedroom in the Philippines preferably is in the North East.

 Visual inertia- the degree of concentration and stability of a form. (the movement)

 Surface- any figure having only two dimensions, such as a flat plane.

MODULE 4
Architectural Design Process

 Have an idea of the basic design process

 Apply into design the basic guides in building design

Architectural Program

Architectural Program began when architecture began. Structures have always been based on
programs: decisions were made, something was designed, built and occupied. In a way,
archaeologists excavate buildings to try determine their programs

 Architectural Programming
Before the design process, architectural programming must be done first. There are methods to
undertake.

Module Notes: 12/03/21

 Architectural Design Process

A step by step process will be introduced as a basis in designing a single- storey residence.

At the end of this module you should be able to:

 Have an idea of the basic design process

 Apply into design the basic guides in building design

ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM

Structures have always been based on programs: decisions were made, something was designed,
built and occupied.

Architectural programming as the research and decision-making process that identifies the scope of
work to be designed.

A SIX STEP PROCESS

1. Research the project type

- Collects relevant information on the type of project you’re going to design.

What to do?

a. Research on the type of spaces or areas needed

 b. Information on the space criteria (min or max allocated for each type of space)

c. Check cost per area for this building type

d. Look for the site requirement. (utilities, historical background)

e. Provide a list of probable functional areas needed on the design.

2. Establish Goals and objectives

We need to ponder more on what are your objectives or goals to solve a problem.

Design Objectives – specific goals that will guide you through the process of design.

a. Organizational Goals – goals of the owner

b. Form and Image – aesthetic and psychological impact of the design

c. Function Goals – major function of the building or use of the building

d. Economic Goals – total project budgets ( attitude towards initial cost versus long range
operating and maintenance costs)

e. Time Goals – when is the project to be occupied and what type of changes are expected over
5, 10, 15 and 20 years

f. Management goals- the schematic design must be completed in time for a legislative request
application deadline.

3. Gather Relevant Information

Based upon the goals, the categories of relevant information can be determined and researched.
Typical categories include:

 Facility users, activities and schedule: Who is doing what and how many people are doing in
each activity

 What equipment is necessary

 What aspects of the project need to be projected in the future?

 What are the space criteria for the functions to take place?
  What other design criteria may affect architectural programming

 Are there licensing or policy standards for minimu area for various functions?

 What are the energy usage and requirements?

 What code infortion may affect programming decisions?

 Site analysis

- Legal description

- Zoning, design guidelines, and deed restrictions and requirements

- Traffic considerations

- Utility availability

- Topography

- Views

- Built features

- Climate

- Vegetation and wildlife

 Clients existing facility as a resource

4. Identify Strategies

This step is where the architect will start conceptualizing on the design. A series of schematic
and conceptual diagrams I sneeed to build a good design.

 Bubble diagram- indicate what functions should be near each other in order for the project to
function smoothly. Relationship diagrams can also indicate the desired circulation
connections between spaces, what spaces require privacy,

Bubble Diagram
  Circulation Diagram

 Interrelationship Diagram
 Schematic Floor Plan
After the diagrammatic designs, the architect must summarize this into a floor plan.

A floor plan is a drawing to scale, shpwig a view from above, of the relationships between rooms,
spaces, traffic patterns, and other physical features at one level of a structure. Dimension are usually
drawn to specify room sizes and wall lengths.

 Conceptual design
This part shows the architects preliminary sketches on the probable design of the building. Just like
the schematic floor plan a series of sketches may also be required by the demand of the client.

Other type of strategies recur in programs for many different types of projects. Some examples of
common categories of programmatic strategies includes:

 Centralization and decentralization

 Flexibility
 Flow
 Priorities and phasing
 Levels of access

5. Determine Quantitative Requirements

This step talks about the quantitative values of the project starting from the area measurements to
project costing. Costing may be based on area per square meter, so it is important to list down all the
necessary area requirements.

Phantom corridor- space that it is not delineated with walls.

The total project cost includes the construction cost, plus amounts for acrchitect’s fees, furniture and
equipment, communications, contingency printing for bid sets, contingency, soils tests, topological
surveys and any other cost that come from the owner’s budget.

If the bottom line for the project costs is more than the budget, three things can happen:
1. Space ca be trimmed back or delegated to a later phase (reduction in quantity)
2. The cost per square foot can be reduced ( a reduction in quality)
3. Both
This reconciliation of the desire space and the available budget is critical to defining a realistic
scope of work.

6. Summarize the Program

Finally, once all of the preceding steps are executed, summary statements can be written defining “in
a nut shell” the results of the programming effort. All the information included above can be
documented for the owner, committee members, and the design team as well.

Once a program is completed and approved by the client, the information must be integrated into the
design process.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

It begins with pattens and diagrams.

Design Concept Development

All architectural buildings starts with a design concept.

The concept is what distinguishes the work of architecture to a mere building. The architecture seeks
problem therefore we seek questions that can be solved by architecture.

The concept shouldn’t be rigorous, it should be malleable. Architecture came from many concepts.

1. Site Information- local climate, prevailing winds, solar aspects, vegetation, building context,
history, special liabilities, opportunities, legal frameworks (zoning)
2. Client information – beliefs/culture, preferences, agendas, politics, budget, program (spaces)
3. Typology information – type of building, precedent study, what problems are we solving

Developing the Architectural Concept

 Sketch a floor plan

 Sketch 3D
 The approximate size of the structure depends on the client’s needs and budget.

Form – all the visual properties of an object. It influences the space, interior and exterior.
“Form follows function.” – Ar. Louis Sullivan

Lecture 2: 12/03/21

Architectural Programming

- Also called Space Programming. “space” either an enclosed space or open space.

- This is an initial step.

Design 1

 What is the setback requirement? – measurement from the building to the property line.

Front- 4.50 m
Side – 2.00 m
Rear- 2.00 m

 What type of lot?

1. Looking for questions

Find out all the questions essential for your design.

Factors that will affect the design

1. Gather relevant information and analyze given data

2. Make diagrams like bubble diagrams and interrelationship diagram

3. You need to collaborate with the client to match their lifestyle. You need to guide them for
proper solutions. You need to communicate the design by proper models to have proper
visualization.