INTRODUCTION TO

ARCHITECTURE
BY. KALEAB DEJENE
kaleabdejene@4gmail.com
KALEA
WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?

 The ART and SCIENCE of designing and erecting buildings and other physical
structures.

 A GENERAL TERM TO DESCRIBE BUILDINGS and other structures.

Architecture is the art and science of building design. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION is

the process of assembling materials to form a building.
 Architecture is both THE PROCESS AND PRODUCT OF PLANNING, DESIGNING and
constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and
aesthetic considerations
WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?
Architecture is the imaginative blend of art and science in the design of
ENVIRONMENTS FOR PEOPLE.
 People need places to eat, work, live and play……

 Architects transform these needs into concepts and then develop the
concepts into building images that can be constructed by others.

 These projects can be as small as an entrance way and as large as an entire

college campus—and everything in between.
WHAT IS ART?

 A creative human activity in which materials are shaped to convey an idea, emotion, or
visually interesting form
The use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects or experiences that
can be shared with others •
Divided into two
 Fine Art: Painting, Sculptor, Music & Poetry •
 Decorative Art: pottery, weaving, metalworking, and furniture making.
WHAT IS SCIENCE?
The systematic observation of natural events and conditions
 to discover facts about them and
 to formulate laws and principles based on these facts

Divided into two

 Natural Science: physics, biology, chemistry
 Social Science: like sociology, economics, geography

No creativity but based on research and discovery

WHAT IS DESIGN?
A rational, logical, sequential process intended to solve problems
Involves making a detailed plan of the form or structure of something
• Emphasizing features such as its appearance, convenience, durability and economy.

According to Marcus Vitruvius Architecture is (the three Vitruvian Principles of

Architecture)…
• Commodity (function / Utility): serving a purpose
• Delight (aesthetics/ Beauty): visually pleasing & stimulate a sense organ
• Firmness (Strength): erectable and durable
TERMS
 Acoustics: The qualities that determine the ability of an enclosure (as an auditorium) to reflect
sound waves in such a way as to produce distinct hearing.
 Adobe: A sun-dried, unburned brick of clay and straw.
 Aesthetics: A particular theory or conception of beauty or art: a particular taste for or approach
to what is pleasing to the senses and especially sight
 Architect - One who has completed a course of study in building and design, and is licensed by
the state as an architect. One who draws up plans.
 Atrium: A usually skylighted central area, often containing plants, in some modern buildings,
especially of a public or commercial nature.
 Axis: A straight line about which a body or geometric object rotates or may be conceived to
rotate.
TERMS

 Beam: A squared-off log or a large, oblong piece of timber, metal, or stone used especially as a
horizontal support in construction.
 Bearing Wall System: A wall that offers structural support for the building. Verse a wall that offers
no structural support and could be removed at will
 Building envelope: The outside wall of a building
 Cantilever: A projecting structure, such as a beam, that is supported at one end and carries a load
at the other end or along its length.
 Circulation: 1: orderly movement through a circuit;
2: FLOW
TERMS

 Cladding: Something that covers or overlays; specifically: metal coating bonded to a metal core
 Courtyard A court or enclosure adjacent to a building (as a house or palace)
 Clerestory: An upper portion of a wall containing windows for supplying natural light to a
building.
 Column: A supporting pillar; especially: one consisting of a usually round shaft, a capital, and a
base Concept 1: something conceived in the mind 2: an abstract or generic idea generalized from
particular in
 Construction Contract - A legal document which specifies the what-when-where-how-how much
and by whom in a construction project.
 Contractor- A company licensed to perform certain types of construction activities (General
contractor - responsible for the execution, supervision and overall coordination of a project and
may also perform some of the individual construction tasks)
TERMS

 Façade: The face of a building, especially the principal face.

 Masonry: something constructed of materials used by a skilled worker who builds by laying units
of substantial material (as stone or brick)
 Mosaic: a surface decoration made by inlaying small pieces of variously colored material to form
pictures or patterns; also: the process of making it
 Mullion: A vertical member, as of stone or wood, dividing a window or other opening.
 Partition: something that divides; especially: an interior dividing wall Pavilion A: a part of a
building projecting from the rest B: one of several detached or semidetached units into which a
building is sometimes divided
TERMS

 Plan: A drawing or diagram drawn on a plane: as a: a top or horizontal view of an object

 Plane: A surface of such nature that a straight line
 Porch: A structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance.
 Roof Pitch: Roof’s degree of slope
 Skylight: An overhead window, as in a roof, admitting daylight.
 Stairwell: A vertical shaft in which stairs are located.
 Structure The skeleton of something that is constructed.
 Sub-contractor - a general or specialty contractor who works for another general contractor.
 Topography: Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map,
indicating their relative positions and elevations.
TERMS

 Ventilation: a) Movement of Air

b) Circulation of air b: the circulation and exchange of gases in the lungs or gills that
is basic to respiration
c) a system or means of providing fresh air
 Verandah: a usually roofed open gallery or portico attached to the exterior of a building.
 Villa: The often large, luxurious country house of a well-to-do person.
BASIC
ELEMENTS OF
ARCHITECTURE
BASIC ELEMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE
“All pictorial form begins with the point that sets itself in
motion… The point moves . . . and the line comes into
being—the first dimension. If the line shifts to form a plane,
we obtain a two-dimensional element. In the movement
from plane to spaces, the clash of planes gives rise to body
(three-dimensional) . . . A summary of the kinetic energies
which move the point into a line, the line into a plane, and
the plane into a spatial dimension.”
There are 4 basic architectural elements used in the creation
of a design:
1. Point : indicates a position in space.
2. Line: A point extended becomes with properties of
-Length
-Direction
- Position
3. Plane : A line extended becomes with properties of:
-Length -Surface
-Width -Orientation
-Position -Shape
4. Volume: A plane extended becomes a Volume with properties of:
- Length, Width, Depth
- Form and Space
- Surface, Orientation, Shape
01. POINT
 A point marks a position in space. Conceptually, it
has no length, width, or depth, and is therefore static,
centralized, and directionless.
 As the prime element in the vocabulary of form, a
point can serve to mark:
 The two ends of a line
 The intersection of two lines
 The meeting of lines at the corner a plane or
volume
 The center of a field
02. LINE
 Two points describe a line that connects them.
Although the points give this line finite length, the line
can also be considered a segment of an infinitely
longer path.
 A line is a critical element in the formation of any
visual construction.
 A line can serve to:
 Join, link, support, surround, or intersect
other visual elements
 Describe the edges of and give shape to
planes
 Articulate the surface of planes
03.PLANE
 A series of parallel lines, through their repetitiveness,
reinforces our perception of the plane.
 As these lines extend themselves along the plane
they describe, the implied plane becomes real and
the original voids between the lines revert to being
mere interruptions of the planar surface.
 Conceptually, a plane has length and width, but no
depth.
 Shape is the primary identifying characteristic of a
plane.
 The supplementary properties of a plane—its surface
color, pattern, and texture—affect its visual weight
and stability.
04.VOLUME
 A plane extended in a direction other than its intrinsic
direction becomes a volume. Conceptually, a volume
has three dimensions: length, width, and depth.
 All volumes can be analyzed and understood to
consist of:
 Points or vertices where several planes
come together
 Lines or edges where two planes meet
 Planes or surfaces that define the limits
or boundaries of volume
PRINCIPLES OF
ARCHITECTURE
 Principle is something that can be REPEATEDLY and DEPENDABLY done with elements to produce some
sort of visual effect in a composition.
 Principle - it is A WAY TO EXPRESS A VALUE JUDGMENT ABOUT A COMPOSITION.
 The principles of design help you to carefully plan and organize the elements of art so that you will hold
interest and command attention. This is sometimes referred to as visual impact.

1. Balance
2. Rhythm
3. Emphasis
4. Proportion and scale
5. Movement
6. Contrast
7. Unity
01. BALANCE
Parts of the design are equally distributed to create a sense of stability.
Both physical and visual balance exist.
Types
•Symmetrical or formal balance
•Asymmetrical or informal balance
Balance
1.1 Symmetrical or Formal Balance
THE ELEMENTS WITHIN THE DESIGN ARE
IDENTICAL IN RELATION TO A CENTERLINE OR
AXIS. ©iStockphoto.com

The Taj Mahal Mausoleum

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Balance
1.2 Asymmetrical or Informal Balance
Parts of the design are not identical but are equal
in visual weight.
Wikipedia.org

Chateau de Chaumont
Saone-et-Loire, France
02. Rhythm
Repeated use of line, shape, color, texture or
pattern
Types
•Regular rhythm
•Random rhythm
•Graduated rhythm
RHYTHM

2.1 Regular Rhythm

An element is repeated at the same
repetition/interval each time.

Cube house design

Rotterdam, Netherlands
RHYTHM

2.2 Random Rhythm

The beats of the

element are random
or are at irregular
intervals.
RHYTHM

2.3 Graduated Rhythm

The repeated element is identical with the

exception of one detail increasing or
decreasing gradually with each repetition.
Stack of rocks used The Chinese Tower English
as focal point in Gardens
landscaping Munich, Germany
03. EMPHASIS
• The feature in a design that
attracts one’s eye – the focal
point
• Emphasis can be achieved
through size, placement,
shape, color, and/or use of
lines

Mosque - Egypt

Microsoft Office clipart

Mosque - Egypt Ceiling mosaic in Park Gruell
04. PROPORTION AND SCALE
• Comparative
Microsoft Office clipart

relationships
between elements in
a design with respect
to size
• 3:5 ratio is known as
the Golden Mean
05. MOVEMENT
Flow or feeling of action
06. CONTRAST
Noticeably different
Can be created with
•Color
•Proportion and scale
•Shape
•Texture
•Etc.
07. UNITY
Unity is achieved by the consistent use of lines, color,
material, and/or texture within a design.

©iStockphoto.com
MODIFYING
ELEMENTS OF
ARCHITECTURE
FORM AND SHAPE
Form: (3D)The shape and structure of something as
distinguished from its substance or material.

Shape: (2D)The two-dimensional contour that

characterizes an object or area.
SPACE
By incorporating the use of space
in your design, you can enlarge or reduce the visual
space.
Types
•Open, uncluttered spaces
•Cramped, busy spaces
•Unused vs. good use of
space
TEXTURE
The surface look or feel of something
Smooth Surface – Reflects more light and therefore is a more intense color.
Rough Surface – Absorbs more light and therefore appears darker.
COLOR
Color has an immediate
©iStockphoto.com

and profound effect on a

design.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral Moscow

 Color represents emotion and allows objects to stand out from the background
 A designer's choice of color combinations can greatly influence the character of a display Complimentary colors
(opposite on the color wheel) create a sense of excitement and action, which is most useful in display work
 Colors can advance and recede and have certain psychological connotations. For example, red suggests danger and
passion (blood), blue suggests tranquility (sky), green suggests nature (leaves), and yellow suggests prosperity (sun).
 The primer colors are Red, Blue, and Yellow. These three are the core colors whereby they are unable to be
generated by mixing other colors together to produce it.
 There are 3 secondary colors, orange, Purple, and green. Orange is the product of mixing yellow + red, Purple/
indigo is the mix of blue +red, and green is the product of blue+ Yellow. The mixture ratios for the colors are equal
 Tertiary Colors are made from combining the secondary and the primer colors together and usually with the color
next to one another.
 There are 6 colors on the tertiary line, light green: green + yellow, Light orange: Orange + Yellow, orange red: red +
orange, violet: purple + Red, indigo: blue + purple, dark Green: blue + green.
 The tertiary color create a sense of softness and has the ability to lower the intensity of the primer and secondary
colors if they are used together in a good composition.
Warm Colors
©iStockphoto.com

Reds, oranges, yellows

©iStockphoto.com

Cool Colors
Blues, purples, greens

Colors can affect how humans feel and act

VALUE
 The relative lightness or darkness of a color

 Methods
 Shade – Degree of darkness of a color
 Tint – A pale or faint variation of a color

Downtown buildings in
Bangalore, India
AESTHETICS
DESIGN
 WHAT IS AESTHETICS?
• Aesthetics is a core design principle that defines a design’s pleasing qualities.
• In visual terms, aesthetics includes factors such as balance, color, movement,
pattern, scale, shape and visual weight.
• Designers use aesthetics to complement their designs’ usability, and so enhance
functionality with attractive layouts.
• “Design is the method of putting form and content together. Design, just as art, has
multiple definitions; there is no single definition. Design can be art. Design can be
aesthetics. Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated.”

— Paul Rand, Art director & graphic designer famous for logos such as IBM’s
THE ARCHITECT
AND OTHERS
Task of designer is to change
• Client Needs to Concepts to Building Image
• Three parties involve in realization of Client Needs

CONSTRUCTION
CLIENT DESIGN TEAM
TEAM

• IDEA • Architect ( Coordinator)

• MONEY • UP and UE
• NEED • Surveyor & Geologist
• Structural Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Sanitary Engineer
THE ARCHITECT
 The role of an architect is not just to design buildings.

 the DESIGN AND BUDGETARY requirements set by the client,

 RESTRAINTS OF A SITE (where the building will be constructed),

 NEEDS OF THE BUILDING’S USERS, and LIMITATIONS OF MATERIALS into a

unique and balanced design solution.

 DECISION-MAKING, TEAM LEADERSHIP AND CREATIVITY

 protect the HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE of the general public and the users of the
buildings.
URBAN PLANNING
 the organization of all elements of a town or urban environment

 dealt with land use and the physical arrangement of city structures taking into consideration
economical, social, physical environmental, administrative, historical…. aspects

 urban planning document related to Architecture contains

 zoning ordinances like residential, commercial zone

 subdivision regulations like plot size

 building and housing codes like height limitation

URBAN ENGINEERING
 the application of science ( specially physics, math's and chemistry) in the design of
urban infrastructure like

 Urban Houses and related buildings

 Urban Roads & Bridge

 Urban Water Supply,

 Urban Drainage & Sewerage System

CIVIL ENGINEERING
 Practical application of science and math in the design of structures like road, bridge,
dam etc

 Building components

 Architectural: non supporting & space defining: walls, windows

 Structural : supporting like foundation, beam, column, slab

 Civil (Structural) Engineer

 design structural parts of a building

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

 design and manufacture of systems and devices that use electric power and signals

 Building components includes electrical system

 switches, sockets, light points, water pump

 Electrical Engineer

 design the electrical system of a building

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

 design and manufacture all types of machineries

 building also include mechanical systems like

 elevators, escalators, heating, cooling, ventilating systems

 Mechanical Engineer

 designs the mechanical systems of a building

SANITARY ENGINEERING

 design of water supply , drainage and sewerage system

 in a building

 we need water and swear will be produced

 Sanitary Engineer

 designs the water supply, sewerage and drainage system of a building and its
compound
OTHER DISCIPLINES

in a design of advanced buildings like museums, cinemas, meeting halls, hotels other
disciples may involve
 Light Engineer

 Acoustics Engineer

 Interior Architect

 Landscape Architect etc.

ENGINEER KNOWS EVERYTHING
ABOUT SOMETHING, BUT ARCHITECT
KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT
EVERYTHING.
LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE
 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE is concerned with the planning and design of land and
water for use by society.

 The 4th dimension – TIME – is an important aspect of landscape architecture.

 Landscape work unlike architecture does not always have an immediate perceptible impact
and the effectiveness of planting and land use decisions or policies may not be appreciable
for 20-30 years.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

 Landscape architects are designers of environments—environments that

encompass both natural and social worlds, urban spaces and wilderness, land,
water and air. They design for people and communities, plants and
animals. They consider social and natural processes and aim to protect human and
environmental health and well-being.
TO BE CONTINUED…