Theor y of Design -II
Importance of Architecture theory
What is the architecture theory?
How it is useful?
What excites you about the theory ?
What scares you about the theory?
Introduction :
o Broad overview of the evolution of thoughts and trends in architecture practice across time
line.
o Understand architectural theory from Antiquity to Post Modern Movement.
o Explore the trends and practice followed in architecture design across the timeline.
o Reinforce the conceptual and critical thinking ability.
• Emphasize on understanding of contribution of various Architects to theory, their ideologies
and influences in development of architecture style across the time line.
•
Architecture Timeline
Europe Map
Theory in Antiquity
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio
Theory in Antiquity
The first formal evidence about major architectural theory in antiquity,
until the 1st century BCE, is Vitruvius.
This does not mean, that such works did not exist. Many works never survived antiquity.
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio
He was famous Roman architect, writer in the 1st century BC.
Vitruvius - Architectural theorist Known for having written multivolume work- De architectura
(known as The Ten Books of Architecture)
This book covers almost every aspect of Roman architecture, from town planning, materials, decorations,
temples, water supplies, etc.
It rigorously defines the classical Order of Architecture.
It also proposes the three fundamental laws that Architecture must obey :
Firmitas (structural Stability),
Utilitas (functional adequacy),
Venustas (Beauty).
The rediscovery of Vitruvius' work had a profound influence on architects of the Renaissance such as Niccoli,
Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti.
Theory in Antiquity
Architecture theory began with Marcus Vitruvius polio
He was famous Roman architect, writer in the 1st century BC.
Vitruvius - Aarchitectural theorist Known for having written multivolume work-
De architectura (known as The Ten Books of Architecture)
This does not mean, that such works did not exist. Many works never survived antiquity.
The book was practical guide to the design and construction of town, infrastructure, public building and
private residences during Roman architecture.
This book also included discussions of material properties and usage, proportions and geometry, site
orientations and water supplies, etc. all of which are issues still relevant to architecture today.
He proposed in his work the three fundamental laws that Architecture must obey :
Firmitas (structural Stability),
Utilitas (functional adequacy),
Venustas (Beauty).
The rediscovery of Vitruvius' work had a profound influence on architects of the Renaissance such as Niccoli,
Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti
De architectura – Ten Books on Architecture
1. Town planning, architecture or civil engineering in general, and the qualifications required
of an architect or the civil engineer
2. Building materials
3. Temples and the orders of architecture
4. Continuation of book III (temples, the different types of columns, theory of
proportions)
5. Civil buildings (baths , theatres)
6. Domestic buildings
7. Pavements and decorative plasterwork
8. Water supplies and aqueducts
9. Sciences influencing architecture-geometry, measurement,
astronomy, sundial
10.Use and construction of machines - Roman siege engines, water mills, drainage
machines, Roman technology, pneumatics
VITRUVIAN TRIAD:
De Architectura, asserted that there were three principles of good architecture:
Firmatis (Durability) - It should stand up robustly and remain in good condition.
Utilitas (Utility) - It should be useful and function well for the people using it.
Venustatis (Beauty) - It should delight people and raise their spirits.
Firmness (structural stability)
FIRMITAS
UTILITAS VENUSTAS
Commodity (function) Venustas (Aesthetics/Beauty)
Durability will be assured when foundations are carried down to
F I R M I TA S : the solid ground and materials wisely and liberally selected.
Durability & structural stability
Pantheon, Rome
Utilitas refers to the issues that are of importance to the
U T I L I TA S : functionality of architecture.
appropriate spatial accommodation
When the arrangement of the apartments is faultless and presents no hindrance to use.
Markets of Trajan · Rome, Italy
is about architectural beauty, which in Vitruvius' classical universe
V E N U STA S : meant the building's ability to mimic natural cosmic order.
Aesthetics / attractive appearance
when the appearance of the work is pleasing and in good taste, and when its members are
in due proportion according to correct principles of symmetry.
Mausoleum of Augustus · Rome, Italy
Leonardo da Vinci’s , illustration of Vitruvian Man, 1492
VITRUVIUS’ IDEA OF BEAUTY & PROPORTION:
The Vitruvian Man which is translated to
"The proportions of the human body according to Vitruvius described the human figure as
Vitruvius"), is a drawing by the Italian polymath Leonardo being the principal source of proportion.
da Vinci around 1490.
The drawing is based on the correlations of ideal human
proportions with geometry described by the ancient Roman
architect Vitruvius in Book III of his treatise De architectura.
He states that these buildings should be based on the
proportions of man, because the human body is the model
of perfection. He justifies this by stating that the human
body with arms and legs extended fits into the perfect
geometric forms, the circle, and the square.
The drawing and text are sometimes called the Canon of
Proportions or, less often, Proportions of Man. It is kept in
the Gabinetto dei disegni e stampe of the Gallerie
dell'Accademia, in Venice, Italy, under reference 228.
Vitruvius described the human figure as being the principal
source of proportion among the classical orders of
architecture. Vitruvius determined that the ideal body
should be eight heads high. Leonardo's drawing is Leonardo da Vinci, Vitruvian Man, 1492
traditionally named in honor of the architect.
VITRUVIUS’ IDEA OF BEAUTY & PROPORTION:
Vitruvius described the human figure as
Vitruvius also studied human proportions (Book III) and being the principal source of proportion.
his canons were later encoded in a very famous drawing
by Leonardo da Vinci ("Vitruvian Man").
The navel is naturally placed in the centre of the human
body, and, if in a man lying with his face upward, and his
hands and feet extended, from his navel as the centre, a
circle be described, it will touch his fingers and toes. It is
not alone by a circle, that the human body is thus
circumscribed, as may be seen by placing it within a
square.
For measuring from the feet to the crown of the head,
and then across the arms fully extended, we find the
latter measure equal to the former; so that lines at right
angles to each other, enclosing the figure, will form a
square.
Leonardo da Vinci, Vitruvian Man, 1492
De architectura. Vitruvius described the human figure as being the principal source
of proportion among the classical orders of architecture
For Vitruvius, the lower
diameter of the column is
the base module that
regulates the dimension
and proportions of the
According to Vitruvius, all plans
columns. The height of the entablature, its
of temples are completely
developed by geometric decoration and the tapering of
partitions and relations. the shafts are based on the
columns dimensions.
Vitruvius believed the workings of the human body to be an analogy for
the workings of the universe.
The architecture that Vitruvius prescripts is highly dependent on the nature
from its site to proper proportion of the 4 elements in material to the
relation of the human proportion in aesthetics and use.
"Vitruvian Man", illustration in the edition of De architectura by
Vitruvius; illustrated edition by Cesare Cesariano
Mayamata
An Indian Treatise on Housing Architecture
• The Mayamata is a Vastusastra, i.e. a treatise on
dwellings.
• It contains numerous and precise descriptions of
villages and towns as well as of the temples, houses,
mansions and palaces.
• It gives indications for the selection of a proper
orientation, right dimensions, and of appropriate
materials.
• It intends to be a manual for the architect and a
guidebook for the layman.
• Its application in all fields, are being scrutinized for
their possible modern application.
Vastu explains the ideal
use of the magnetic, solar
and spiritual force and the
five basic elements-Earth,
Fire, Water, Air and Space.
Reference video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMgtEL_9lkA
