Cebu Institute of Technology-University

N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City

Architecture Department

ARCH167-THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
R?

PLATE NO. 3

PRIMARY ELEMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE

FORM AND SPACE
I. PRIMARY ELEMENTS

Analyze the chosen building. Break it down according to the following primary elements, points, line,
plane and volume. Provide sketches with explanations. Replace building pictures below with your
chosen structure. (Pictures below are samples only.)

Building: Nau Gaudi

Architect: Antoni Gaudi
Year Built: Between 1878 and 1883
A. Point

Explanation: Since the Nau Gaudi building is just a standard structure with a warehouse design,
it can be said that there would be two points, which are located at both ends of the length if the
building is presented as a rectangular prism.

B. Line

Explanation: Like the explanation I made that there would be two points to represent the Nau Gaudi
building as a whole. However, when a single point of the representation is extended towards the other,
it forms a horizontal line, which represents the building’s primary structure when viewed from above.
C. Plane

Explanation: Like from its explanation, the plane is protracted from its position from a line, when
connected together, it forms a plane or a surface. In terms of the Nau Gaudi building, its plane is
basically a rectangular area from the extensions of the lines previously mentioned to an extension other
than its intrinsic direction. The formed plane represents a concrete outline of the Nau Gaudi building as a
whole.

D. Volume

Explanation: From the aforementioned details about the

building’s plane outline, the Nau Gaudi when transformed
into a three-dimensional figure becomes a rectangular
prism. Additionally, the form that is created from the
extensions of planes to another point other than its intrinsic
direction represents a prism in a rectangular form, which
further imparts that it’s a representation of the building
with its major parts, excluding the roofings.
II. FORM AND SPACE

Describe further the according to the following items (A-C). Provide each with sketches and
explanations.

A. Visual and Relational Properties of Form

(Describe the part of the building where certain concepts of visual and relational properties of form
are applied. Support it with drawing.)

Shape: When viewing the building’s facade as a point

of view, it becomes lucid that there’s an outline of a
square that can be speculated.

Size: From the drawing presented, there’s an arrow that

represents a person in contrast to the building’s size and
proportion.

Color: The majority of the building’s exterior is colored

with the soft red palette of the bricks used for the exterior.
The arched exterior design and as well as the roof is made
with a certain type of wood, which is also colored with a
certain shade of brown. And lastly, the glass panes that are
located at the upper part of the building’s façade is in the
darker shade of blue.

Texture: From the exterior, it can be observed that the

bricks used play a major role in forming the building’s
exterior design. The glass planes in the façade also serve
as an imaginative design, which also involves
functionality. The arched design from the façade highlights
how there would be a significant use of arches that serves
as a great support for the interior divisions without the
need for structural systems like columns or pillars.

Position and Orientation: The building is perceived

from the visual field of a person who is perceiving the
front or the façade of the building. In terms of orientation,
it is quite similar to the point of view of the person’s
field of view as shown in the picture and drawing, which
is from the front.

Visual Inertia: There is more stability to be observed

from the Nau Gaudi due to it being a low-rise
building.
 B. Articulation of Forms
(Describe the specific concept applied in the building using articulation of form. State which part of the
building (location-ex. Front, corner, sides etc. Support it with drawing.)

Since the presence of the corner will

depend on the visual treatment of the
adjacent surfaces, even if the two planes
simply touch and the other corner is left
bare. The corner condition draws attention
to the form's volume. Thus, the corners
when perceived from the outside are
considered as “unadorned corners”.

C. Architectural Quality of Spaces.

(Describe a specific concept in building using the quality of spaces. Support it with drawing.)

Shape: The enclosed space of the building forms an outline of a rectangle.

Surface: The materials utilized to define the surface of the Nau Gaudi's enclosure are brick walls, together with elements made of iron and
specific types of wood, as a building's surfaces express both its autonomy and its participation in its surroundings. Additionally, the beauty
of the structural bareness is strengthened by these materials.
Edges: The edges that are formed by the walls are standard and smooth from the straightened brick walls. In terms of corners, the edges
become sharp because of the lack of adornments.

Form: The building as a whole is defined as a standard rectangular warehouse, but with the utilization of arches for structural systems.\
Color: The soft red color scheme of the external bricks covers the majority of the building's facade. A certain kind of wood, which is also
painted a specific shade of brown, is used to create the arched outside design and the roof. Last but not least, the glass windows on the
upper portion of the building's façade are a darker shade of blue.
Texture: From the outside, it is clear that the bricks chosen greatly influence how the structure looks on the outside. The façade's glass
planes serve as both a functional and innovative design element.
Pattern: The patterns that are formed from the building’s surfaces come from the brick wall’s designs and the arched exterior designs.
Sound: Due to the open spaces of the building’s interior spaces, sound would resonate much more ambiently.
Proportion & Scale: The building’s scale and proportion are defined by its size being similar to that of a miniscule sized warehouse with
vast open spaces.
Definition: Jazz and art performances are now held in a former industrial hall in the vast open spaces of the building.
Degree of Enclosure: The walls that enclose the building is not very thick and compact, however, the use of arches give way to more open
spaces in the interior.
Outlook: The view from the exterior seems simple and standard, but from the interior, it feels grand due to the innovative usage of arches.
Light: There are various ways for light to leak in to the interior, a specific way is from the window passages
IV. COMMENTS
(Any opinion about the building: Do you find it interesting? criticisms?)

The building feels innovative yet so simple when viewed from a visual field from the outside. The
arch-like design that is found on the façade of the building represents how there will be a brilliant use
of arches from within the interior spaces of the building. It was a highly original solution at the time
because it rejected the conventional construction models, showcasing the young architect's
tremendous creative and technical ingenuity.

VI. REFERENCES
(at least two references/websites/books/etc.)

 http://www.naugaudi.cat/en/l-obra/la-nau-gaudi
 http://www.portalgaudi.cat/en/buildings/nau-gaudi-de-mataro/

V. DOCUMENTATION/PROOF
(at least two pictures while doing the activity)