Repose, Vitality and strength

z
Principles of
Architecture III
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Vitality

 One of the aspects of Dominance or

Accentuation

 Maximum Visual Weight on the subject

 Provided mainly by contrast

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Vitality

 Contrast can be of colour, tone,

texture, direction, proportion, solid,
void

 But to a certain measure. Overdoing

contrast will reduce dominance and
weakens unity
z Vitality
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Strength

According to Vitruvius, a good architectural

composition should have:

 Utility (Utilitas)

 Strength or durability (Firmitas)

 Beauty (Venustas)
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Durability or Strength

 In one definition - Should stand the test of time,

should be made of durable materials like stone,
brick etc.

 In visual definition – Should have visual weight in

terms of establishing its architectural might

 E.g. Vertical elements in a structure

 Repose or Relaxation
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 The exact opposite of Strength or Durability

 The visual tension relaxes

 A limiting force to the visual composition

 E.g. Horizontal elements in architecture

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z ASSIGNMENT MODULE – I&II

For each design principle studied, give 2 examples of famous architectural

structures or complexes and explain why. 1 should be old and 1 should be
new.

(Explanation in points. No complete sentences.)

 Unity  Accentuation

 Balance  Restraint

 Proportion  Repose

 Scale  Vitality

 Contrast  Strength

 Harmony