To understand the architecture in a more detailed way it seems natural to study it closely from different aspects: space, place, form, function, materiality and structure…

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PLACE

CONTRAST:

It is defined in the context of visual design as a difference between two or more elements in a composition. The more the difference between the elements, the greater they are easy to compare and comprehend.

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CAMOUFLAGE:

Camouflage architecture concept. Camouflage is the use of any combination of materials coloration or illumination for concealment either by making animals or objects hard to see or by disguising them as something else.

ORGANISM:

Means that with removing something in it or simply changing it, will change the organism itself. … It acts as an organism – architectural organism, meaning if you ever to change the function of one floor, it will automatically change the whole purpose, flow or functionality of the building.

CONTEXTUALISM:

Contextual architecture, also known as Contextualism is a philosophical approach in architectural theory that refers to the designing of a structure in response to the literal and abstract characteristics of the environment in which it is built.

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SPACE

“Architecture is the thoughtful making of space”

Louis Kahn

CLASSIC SPACE:

The classic space is closed and compact, where the walls play a central role. During the RENAISSANCE, a new characteristic is added, the space is centralized. The BAROQUE focuses on elliptical forms as a derivative of circular ones in the previous era.

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SPACES WITHOUT CENTER:

JAPANESE TRADITIONAL SPACE:

These type of houses are characterized by the use of moduls to delimitate spaces, these modules are named tatami. It is the sum of different rooms that can be arranged and rearranged in many different ways.

MODERN SPACE:

This movement breaks the compact space allowing vertical and horizontal connections; some example of this movement are:

• The space plan or Raumplan of Adolf Loos
• The Wrightian fluid space
• The universal Miesian space
• Double height spaces of Le Corbustier

CONTEMPORARY SPACES:

The most obvious element of a contemporary spaces is the line. Whether straight vertical or horizontal lines or curved shapes, strong visible lines are predominant. As a consequence the entire building is unique and continuous.

FORM

The forms are important in any architectural piece, they help create a composition.

RHYTHM: By using sequences and repetition for example separating windows in a wall or columns in a colonade or pillars in a arcade. This appears especially in elevations but also in sections and floor plans.

AXIS: Linear element to help mark the direction and distribute, such as the Champ Elysées in Paris or the Via Flaminia-Piazza de Popolo, Rome.

SYMMETRY: Regular arrangement of parts or points in relation to a center.

HIERARCHY: Relation of supremacy between elements ; by size, forms or situation.

MODULE: Unitary element as a proportional unit. This type was Le Corbustier’s center of interest (Le Modulor II (1953) ).

GRID: As a way to order and guide the composition.

MOVEMENT: In two distint ways, first by suggesting movement using irregular lines, second by introcing real movement ( as an example we can talk about the Milwaukee Art Museum extensión by S. Calatrava ).

UNITY: Relationship of parts is important, nothing should be moved or added.

CENTRALITY: Creating attraction towards its center.

BALANCING: Relationship of compensation and complementarity (static equilibrium, dynamic balance..).

LIMITS: The edge part of the building or the composition is different from the rest.

LIGHT: By playing with light and shadows to create, correct and reveal forms and structures.

CONTRAST: The difference between two or more elements in a composition. The more the difference between the elements, the greater they are easy to compare and comprehend.

COLOUR: Chromatic manifestation of elements.

TEXTURE: The surface finishing of the elements to reach a final perception. (contrast between glass and stone… )

PROPORTION: Harmonic relation of dimensions ( matematical and geometric rules)

SCALE: Size of the building next the size of human being.

FUNCTIONS

In relation to the built environment, the term ‘function’ refers to the purpose of a building or structure. Buildings have a wide range of different functions, for example, a house is to be lived in, an office serves as a place of work for business activities, a shopping centre is for consumers to access retail outlets, a school is for pupils and teachers to undertake education… .

• MECHANICAL FUNCTIONALISM: Has its roots in the industrial revolution. The form is a consequence of the function.
• ORGANIC FUNCTIONALISM: Adapts to the living functions and develops from within to outward.
• MORALISTIC FUNCTIONALIM: In this the beauty and aesthetic of the composition has a close relationship with its function.

MATERIALITY AND STRUCTURE

Perhaps one of the most important comcepts in architecture are materiality ad structure, but there’s more into it than materials and shapes, to reach the truth in architecture it is necessary to take into account three parameters:

FORM – MATERIALS – TECHNOLOGY

MATERIALS:

STONE: Employed in different shapes (walsls, roofs.. )

EARTH: rammed earth including straws to prevent cracking. The earth is a very sustainable material.

BRICKS: Great possibility of expression and flexibility, allows differents combinations of bricks to change the appearance.

WOOD: Very easy to work with.

STEEL: Allows new shapes and thus new language. Its main characteristic is the durability.

CONCRETE: Big flexibility, this material has no previous form which allows a big flexibility and a wide choice of shapes.

GLASS: This material gained territory in the 18th -19th century, it gives a very special appearance (transparency) and helps form spaces around a main building.

TECHNOLOGY:

ROMAN ARCHITECTURE: mainly based on the arch ad the vault. Roman architecture is known for its workmanship and strict organization system.

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ROMANESQUE CONSTRUCTION: IT is characterized by the use of geometric complex -in the time- forms and structures such as the use of barrel vaults, buttresses, transversal archs … The main materials are concrete, masonry and stones.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE: characterized by impressive height in contradiction with the past architectures, we can note the following elements:

• pointed arch
• rib vault
• buttress
• flying buttress
• pinnacles

COMPUTERAIDED DESIGN:

The evolution of technology has affected our day to day life in many ways, especially when it comes to architecture, nowadays architects are able to work in a more exact way. While new and revolutionary forms are introduced thanks to these methods, the constructive methods are still the same.

Although the use of prefabricated spread out and 3D houses techniques are being developped we’re still certainly far away from a revolutionary constructive methods.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

https://uxdesign.cc/principles-of-design-the-application-of-contrast-and-similarity-d87f261fb84f

https://www.architonic.com/en/story/susanne-fritz-camouflage-architecture-underground-buildings/7000497

gaggenau.com

https://www.chi-athenaeum.org/the-2018-awards/2018/06/12/daniels-building-toronto-ontario-canada-2017/

https://www.designspiration.com/save/44686314005608/

Architecture As Living Organism

https://designarchitects.art/camouflage-architecture-concept/

https://www.thespruce.com/designer-guide-to-contemporary-style-1976503

https://uxdesign.cc/principles-of-design-the-application-of-contrast-and-similarity-d87f261fb84f#:~:text=Contrast%20in%20the%20context%20of%20visual%20design%20can%20be%20defined,have%20contrasted%20with%20each%20other.