Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements

IntroductionHave you ever noticed how buildings of similar size and shape can have completely different visual effects? Architects, like artists, must understand the elements and principles of design and how they affect the visual impact of the building on a viewer. Whether it is the intent of the architect to create a feeling of strength and stability or to create an unusual form that will elicit a double-take from the public, the elements and principles of design can be used to manipulate the intellectual and emotional reactions of the people who see and use the building.

Equipment Principles and Elements of Design Applied to

Architecture presentation notes

ProcedureIn this activity you will identify design elements and principles as they pertain to images of structures.

For each of the following, choose one element of design and one principle of design that you feel is most prominent in the image and then justify your choice.

Word BankBalance Form Rhythm TextureColor Line Shape UnityEmphasis Proportion/Scale Space Value

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1. Principle of Design

Gradated rhythm

Justification: Top is smaller than bottom

Element of Design

Rough Texture

Justification: The structure does not emit that much light, it has a dull appearance.

2. Principle of Design

Symmetrical, horizontal Balance, Emphasis, Unity

Justification: The building is symmetrical, though horizontally, the top part of the building is emphasized through use of color and material. There is a constant use of vertical lines.

Element of Design

Vertical Lines, smooth texture

Justification: There are lots of vertical pillars, the

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material is smoothly cut, and gives off a decent amount of light.

3. Principle of Design

Contrast, symmetrical balance, Emphasis.

Justification:

The white tower contrasts the red main complex, in texture, line direction and color. The white tower divides the design in two providing for a symmetrical balance. Being in the center, the white tower is emphasized, also by its color, texture, and line direction.

Element of Design

Horizontal lines, Vertical lines, color, rough and smooth texture, shape

Justification: The red main building uses mostly horizontal lines, while the white tower uses vertical lines. The red building has a dull and rough appearance, alluding to its rough texture. The white building is relatively smooth, and is more reflective. Rectangles are prominent throughout the design.

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4. Principle of Design

Regular rhythm, Unity, radial balance.

Justification: The windows of the city hall repeat in an identical manner in upper stories though shifted to the side. The windows radiate from a central apex, though in a modern fashion.

Element of Design

Smooth texture, curved lines, horizontal lines.

Justification: The windows are very reflective, they are organized in an horizontal fashion and the radiate in a circle.

City Hall and London Bridge

5. Principle of Design

Horizontal balance, Emphasis, Proportion

Justification: The central figure in the design divides it in two, symmetrically. That figure is also emphasized through color and size. The Proportion in this illustration is used to emphasize the central figure as one of importance.

Element of Design

Curved lines, color, value, vertical lines,

Justification: The bottom line is curved giving

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©Istockphoto.com

the design a smooth feeling, the color is used to emphasize the central figure, and to do that it also uses a darker shade or value of blue. The figures in the design are vertical, giving the illustration a dignified look.

6. Principle of Design

Vertical balance, regular rhythm, movement, Unity.

Justification: The windows are off equal weight vertically, and they are stationed at regular intervals. The diagonal lines along the windows give off a sense of excitement. Horizontal lines are used throughout the design.

Element of Design

Horizontal lines, smooth texture, value, diagonal lines, shape.

Justification: Horizontal lines provide for the central structural idea in the design. There are also diagonal lines along the windows. The windows are smooth and reflective, and the blue sky they reflect works in harmony through its value with the blue board next to it. The design primarily uses rectangles.

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©Istockphoto.com

7. Principle of Design

Asymmetrical balance, Gradated rhythm.

Justification:

The design is asymmetrical but is off equal visual weight. The roofs get higher as they approach the center of the design.

Element of Design

Vertical lines, curved lines, rough texture, color.

Justification: The windows are trees give the design a feeling of strength, the path is curved making it feel smooth, also the building and path have a relatively rough texture and reflect only some light the roses gives its appearance a warm tone.

8. Principle of Design

Gradated rhythm, horizontal balance, Unity

Justification: The design element repeat along its entirety, though the top is smaller than the bottom making it Gradated. The design uses vertical lines and arches throughout its entirety.

Roman aqueduct

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©Istockphoto.com

Microsoft Office clipart

Element of Design

Vertical lines, shape, rough texture.

Justification: There are tons of vertical lines in the arches, and that provides a similar shaping for the entire design. The bricks give off a dull appearance.

9. Principle of Design

Emphasis, Symmetrical balance, Unity.

Justification: The central element of the design is emphasized through use of color and material, it also divides the design in two symmetrically.

Element of Design

Vertical Lines, color, space

Justification: Vertical columns gives a feeling of majesty, the gold color emphasizes the figures in the center, and the open space makes it feel holy and spiritual.

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10. Principle of Design

Unity, Emphasis, Asymmetrical balance.

Justification: All of the houses have the same basic design, and use the same features to create a collective feeling. There is a lot of emphasis using color to highlight borders of the windows and the house. The door is usually to one side or the other, with a window making up for the imbalance.

Element of Design

Color, value, texture

Justification: The cool colors used give off a distinctive smooth feeling, which is further implemented with the use of the different values of blue. The rough texture gives a homey and relaxed feel to it,

Conclusion1. In what way do certain elements or principles identify the time period in which a

structure was created?

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Some elements and principles were particularly popular during a certain time period, so structures can be analyzed to figure out when they came from.

2. What factors might account for an incorrect identification?

Not all structural designers have the same popular opinion. Thus one designer can build a building that would fit in to another time period, which could be confusing.

3. Describe an example of a way that design principles and elements could impact the function of a building.

Say it’s a city hall. It should look strong and imposing because its an official government building. Therefor, there should be a lot of vertical lines, have symmetrical balance, and be tall.

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