Scribd
Upload
106 views44 pages

Architecture: Assosa University

The document discusses various concepts related to form and shape in architecture, including how form is defined by boundaries and volumes, the differences between form and shape, and how basic geometric shapes and solids can be transformed through operations like dimensional changes, subtraction of parts, and combining elements additively.

Uploaded by

Abenezer Getachew
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
106 views44 pages

Architecture: Assosa University

The document discusses various concepts related to form and shape in architecture, including how form is defined by boundaries and volumes, the differences between form and shape, and how basic geometric shapes and solids can be transformed through operations like dimensional changes, subtraction of parts, and combining elements additively.

Uploaded by

Abenezer Getachew
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 44

Basic Theory of Form

and shape

ASSOSA UNIVERSITY
FUNDAMENTAL OF
CEng3094 Prepared by Abenezer G.
ARCHITECTURE (Arch)
Form
• Form is the primary identifying characteristic of a volume.
– It is determined by the shapes and interrelationships of the planes
that describe the boundary of the volume.
• As the 3D element in the vocabulary of architectural design, a volume
can be either
• Solid –space displaced by mass
• Void- space contained or enclosed by planes.
Form
Form and shape
• Shape - Is defined as the effect produced by the outlines or the edges of
a figure.
• It is the visual field that the object occupies demarcated by the outer
limits that distinguish it from its surroundings.
Shape
Form
• Form: Visible aspect of an object or figure.
• It could refer to parts or the whole of a figure that is
describable in two or three dimensions.
• Form is also understood as being a characteristic feature of
the conceptual element that we call a solid or a volume.
Form
Form

• Form as an element of design is more than a shape that is


seen; it is a shape with definite size, color and texture.
• It is the equivalent of the summation of the components that
we call visual element.
Form as a Point
• A point is an element that marks a position in the
visual space.
• perceived as having no length, width or depth.
• Static, centralized and direction less.
• Expresses stability and calmness
Form as a Line
• a point in motion creates the
appearance of a line.
Physical Characteristics
• Length:
• Value
• Direction
• Position
• Types of line curved, bent,
irregular, wavy, etc…
Form as a Line

Expressive characteristics,
• A line can serve to:
1) Join, Link, Support, and Surround
or intersect other visual elements
2) Describe edges of or give shape to
planes
3) Articulate surfaces of a plane
Form as a Plane

• When a line is extended in a direction other than its intrinsic


one, it forms a plane.
• Physical Characteristics
• Shapes
• Surface
• Orientation
• Types of shapes
Form as a Plane

Types of shapes
• Geometric, rectilinear, organic, irregular
Form as a Plane
• Uses of Planes In design:
– Simplify complex shapes
and volumes
– Study relationships between
components of a shape and
volume
– Combined to create
complex shapes or forms in
three dimensional visual
field
Form as a Volume

• When a plane extends in the dimension that is other than its


intrinsic one, it will create a solid.
• Determined by the contour of line forming the edges of the
solid
Form as a Volume

Used to:
• Define or enclose space
• Study relationships
between components of a
volume
• Create a complex form in
the three dimensional
visual field
Types of form

A. Geometric and Organic Form

B. Regular and Irregular Form

C. Static and Dynamic Form

D. Positive and Negative Form

E. Primary and Secondary Form


Primary shapes
• Circle

• Triangle

• Square
Primary solids
• Includes cube, sphere, cone, cylinder, and pyramid
• Created from primary shapes.
• Regular
• Symmetrical
• Stable
Primary solids
 Circles - generate spheres and cylinders.
 Triangles - generate cones and pyramids.
 Square - generates cube.
Operations on solids

• As any discipline of the sciences, in architecture, it is important to


understand that no solid is created. As a form that exists in reality,
it is made up of materials that are already present in the
environment.
Operations on solids

• The term operation is defined as an action, scope or method of


working that is undertaken on something to affect its value or
form.
• The term solid can be understood as something that is both firm in
shape and measurable in three dimensions.
Operations on solids

• Operation on solids then will deal with the subject matter related to
those activities that are undertaken to: Alter the properties of solids
with known outward shape or form; resulting in the change in their
appearance (Transformation)
Operations on solids

• Transformation should be understood as the operation of changing one


configuration/ expression or state into another according to a certain
rule.
TYPES OF TRANSFORMATIONS

1. DIMENSIONAL
TRANSFORMATION
2.SUBTRACTIVE
TRANSFORMATION
3.ADDITIVE
TRANSFORMATION
Dimensional transformation

• Refers to altering one or more dimensions of an existing form.


• Here the underlying assumption is that all forms that we experience are
transformations of the primary platonic solids discussed.
Dimensional transformation
•A spherical form can be
transformed into any number of
ellipsoid forms by elongating it
along an axis.

•A pyramidal form can be


transformed by altering the
dimensions of its base,
modifying the height of its apex
or by moving the apex off of its
normal vertical axis.

• A cube can be transformed


into other rectangular prismatic
forms by shortening or
elongating its height, width, or
depth.
Dimensional transformation

COMPRESSION

STRETCHING
SUBTRACTIVE TRANSFORMATION

 We search for regularity & continuity in the forms we see


within our field of vision.
 When regular forms have fragments missing from their
volumes, they can retain their formal identities if we perceive
them as if they were whole and complete.
SUBTRACTIVE TRANSFORMATION

• Platonic solids adapt readily to subtractive


treatment. These forms will retain their formal
identities if portion of their volumes are removed
without deteriorating their edges, corners and
overall profile./Keeping identity/
SUBTRACTIVE TRANSFORMATION

• Ambiguity results if the portion removed from its volume erodes its
edges and drastically alters its profile./loosing identity/
•A square whose corner is removed or
an L shaped which is composed of two
rectangles?
Examples
Additive transformation
• As the name suggests, additive transformation is
nothing but the addition of elements to the
“Original” volume.
POSSIBILITES FOR GROUPING TWO OR MORE FORMS

1. Spatial tension

2. Edge - to - edge contact

3. Face - to - face contact

4. Interlocking relationship
Additive transformation

1. Spatial tension - a relationship that is based on proximity & common


visual elements and not any type of actual contact.
- surfaces share a common visual trait such as shape, material, colour or
texture.
Additive transformation
2. Edge to edge contact - forms share a common edge and have an actual
physical contact, pivoting about that edge.
Additive transformation

3. FACE TO FACE CONTACT - the two forms need to have corresponding


planar surfaces, which are parallel to each other and with surfaces that
actually meet.
Additive transformation

4) INTER LOCKING VOLUMES - In such a relation ship forms inter


penetrate each others space.
Examples
Exercise -1
• Develop a model by choosing one of the
principles of “transformation of form”;
dimensional transformation, addition (spatial
tension, edge to edge contact, face to face
contact, interlocking) or subtraction.
Exercise - 2
• Design two models by using subtraction transformation
method the one which shows the parent form’s identity (losing
identity) is lost and the other which shows the parent form’s
identity is kept (keeping identity).
Requirements
Requirements
• The base for the model should be 25*25 cm
• Use only two types of colors inclusive of the base
What is expected
• Good imagination and creativity
• Precision
• Abstraction
• Think outside of the box!
Exercise - 3
• By using cubes as design elements try to design
a model which will show the word (idea)
movement, orientation or direction.
• Remember the principle of addition as a hint
• Use any media and base dimensions as you
prefer

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy