archi

• Point

  Indicates a position in space, has no length, width, or depth, is static, centralized, and directionless
• Point

  • Can serve to mark the two ends of a line, the intersection of two lines, the meeting of lines at the corner of a plane or volume, the center of a field
• Point-generated forms


  Column, obelisk, tower, cylinder, circle, sphere
• Two points


  Describe a line that connects them, suggest an axis perpendicular to the line they describe
• Two points


  • The Mall in Washington D.C., Torii at Ise Shrine in Japan
• Line


  Extended point, has length but no width or depth, can express direction, movement, and growth
• Line


  • Can join, link, support, surround, or intersect other visual elements, describe the edges of and give shape to planes, articulate the surfaces of planes
• Orientation of a line

  Vertical line can express equilibrium, symbolize the human condition, or mark a position in space, horizontal line can represent stability, the ground plane, the horizon, or a body at rest, oblique line is dynamic and visually active
• Vertical linear elements


  • Menhir, Column of Marcus Aurelius, Obelisk of Luxor, Bell Tower at Vuoksenniska, Selim Mosque minarets
• Linear elements


  • Can perform structural functions like expressing movement, providing support, forming a 3D structural frame
• Linear architectural elements


  • Axis, linear building forms, linear articulation of edges and surfaces
• Plane


  Extended line, has length and width but no depth, shape is primary identifying characteristic
• Plane


  • Defines the limits or boundaries of a volume, is a key element in the vocabulary of architectural design
• Planes in architecture


  • Colonnaded facades, articulation of spatial zones with columns, trellis and pergola structures, solarium volumes
• Line


  When extended in a direction other than its intrinsic direction, becomes a plane
• Plane


  Conceptually has length and width, but no depth
• Shape


  • The primary identifying characteristic of a plane
  • Determined by the contour of the line forming the edges of a plane
  • True shape of a plane only seen when viewed frontally

  
• Plane


  • Surface color, pattern, and texture affect its visual weight and stability
• Plane


  In the composition of a visual construction, serves to define the limits or boundaries of a volume
• Types of planes in architecture


  • Overhead plane
  • Wall plane
  • Base plane
• Overhead plane


  Can be the roof plane or the ceiling plane
• Wall plane


  Vertical orientation, active in our normal field of vision, vital to shaping and enclosure of architectural space
• Base plane


  Can be the ground plane or the floor plane
• Ground plane


  • Supports all architectural construction
  • Topographical character influences building form
  • Can be manipulated to establish a podium for a building form
• Manipulation of ground plane

  • Elevated to honor a sacred or significant place
  • Bermed to define outdoor spaces or buffer against undesirable conditions
  • Carved or terraced to provide a suitable platform on which to build
  • Stepped to allow changes in elevation to be easily traversed
• Floor plane


  • Horizontal element that sustains the force of gravity
  • Texture and density of flooring material influences acoustical quality and feel when walking
• Floor plane


  Shape, color, and pattern determine how it defines spatial boundaries or serves as a unifying element
• Exterior wall planes


  • Isolate a portion of space to create a controlled interior environment
  • Provide privacy and protection from climatic elements
  • Openings reestablish connection with exterior environment
  • Mold interior space and shape exterior space
• Exterior wall planes


  Can be articulated as the front or primary facade of a building
• Exterior wall planes


  • Uffizi Palace, Florence
  • Piazza of San Marco, Venice
  • S. Maria Novella, Florence
• Bearing wall structural system


  • Parallel series of walls support overhead floor or roof plane
  • Define linear slots of space with strong directional qualities
• Bearing wall structural system

  • Peyrissac Residence, Cherchell, North Africa
  • Country House in Brick, Project, Mies van der Rohe
• Interior wall planes


  • Govern size and shape of internal spaces or rooms
  • Visual properties, relationship to one another, and openings determine quality of spaces and degree of spatial connection
• Interior wall planes


  • Can merge with floor or ceiling plane, or be articulated as isolated element
  • Can be passive/receding backdrop or visually active element
• Interior wall planes


  • Concert Hall, Project, Mies van der Rohe
  • Finnish Pavilion, New York World's Fair, Alvar Aalto
• Ceiling plane


  • Usually a visual event, may express structural form or be a detached lining
  • Can symbolize sky vault, control light/sound, alter scale of space
• Ceiling plane


  • Hangar, Design I, Pier Luigi Nervi
  • Church at Vuoksenniska, Finland, Alvar Aalto
  • Brick House, New Canaan, Philip Johnson
• Roof plane


  • Essential sheltering element, form and geometry established by structural spanning and shedding of elements
  • Can be hidden, merge with walls, express as single form or series, extend as overhangs
• Roof plane


  • Dolmen
  • Robie House, Frank Lloyd Wright
  • Shodhan House, Le Corbusier
• Planar quality of building form


  • Achieved by introducing openings that expose edges of planes
  • Planes can be differentiated by changes in color, texture, or material