ARCH 111: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 1
REPETITION, RHYTHM, BALANCE, SYMMETRY, HARMONY AND PATTERN
OBJECTIVES:
• Identify the different principles of order
• Apply the different principles of order in floor plan, building form, elevation and materials.
LEARNING CONTENT
REPETITION, RHYTHM, BALANCE, SYMMETRY, HARMONY AND PATTERN
REPETITION
THE REPETITION PRINCIPLE OF DESIGN MEANS THAT THE SAME OR SIMILAR ELEMENTS ARE USED AGAIN . THE PRINCIPLE
OF REPETITION IN DESIGN IS USED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENCY AND UNIQUENESS .
THE PRINCIPLE OF DESIGN REPETITION SIMPLY MEANS THAT PICTORIAL ELEMENTS ARE COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY
REUSED. T HESE CAN BE THE SAME OR SIMILAR COLORS IN THE DESIGN , THE USE OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR LINES ,
FONTS , SIZES , AND TEXTURES , OR CERTAIN SHAPES OF ELEMENTS .
THE REPETITION OF THE DESIGN CAN HAPPEN REGULARLY , IT CAN BE EVEN OR UNEVEN , REGULAR OR IRREGULAR .
RHYTHM
Repeated use of line, shape, color, texture or pattern
Types of Rhythm
• Regular rhythm
• Graduated rhythm
• Random rhythm
• Gradated rhythm
Regular Rhythm
A regular rhythm is created in the floor shown on the left by repeating the same pattern of bricks and tiles.
The undulating hotel balconies shown on the right are repeated at each level, creating a regular rhythm.
Random Rhythm
The beats of the element are random or are at irregular intervals.
The repeated use of the onion domes creates a random rhythm in the design of Saint Basil’s Cathedral.
Gradated Rhythm
The repeated element is identical with the exception of one detail increasing or decreasing gradually with each
repetition.
BALANCE
Parts of the design are equally distributed to create a sense of stability. Both physical and visual balance exist.
Types of Balance
• Symmetrical or formal balance
• Asymmetrical or informal balance
• Radial balance
• Vertical balance
• Horizontal balance
Symmetrical or Formal Balance
The elements within the design are identical in relation to a centerline or axis.
Asymmetrical or Informal Balance
Parts of the design are not identical but are equal in visual weight.
This building is asymmetrical, but because it is located quite a distance from the main section, the large boxy section
far left balances the main section of the chateau.
Radial Balance
Design elements radiate outward from the center.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II dome encloses an octagonal space formed at the intersection of two intersecting
streets. Designed in 1861 and built between 1865 and 1877, it is an early formal covered street.
Vertical Balance
The top and bottom parts are equal.
A vertical balance is achieved by the reflection of the
building in the water
Horizontal Balance
The parts on the left and right sides are equal.
Both the Chinese design and the half timbered structure illustrate horizontal balance. If a vertical line were drawn down
the center of each design, the left and right would be mirror images.
A famous female architect, Julia Morgan, who
was trained as a civil engineer, designed the
Hearst estate in California (a National Historic
Landmark). William Randolph Hearst at first
wanted to build a bungalow so that he would not
have to camp in tents on the site. His original
idea quickly expanded to include a palatial
estate with several outbuildings. The Hearst
Castle includes 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 10
sitting rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, and the
largest private zoo in the world. The building
shown here is Casa Grande, the main
residence.
HARMONY
Harmony is the principle of art that creates cohesiveness by stressing the similarities of separate but related parts.
One should note that harmony is not the same as unity. Harmony does, however, enhance unity in a work of art.
Specifically, harmony uses the elements of art (color, line, shape, form, value, space, texture) as a vehicle to create a
sense of togetherness amongst otherwise separate parts.
PATTERN
MANY TEXTURES APPEAR TO REPEAT THE SAME MOTIF . WHEN A MOTIF IS REPEATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN A
SURFACE , IT RESULTS IN A PATTERN . PATTERNS ARE FREQUENTLY USED IN FASHION DESIGN OR TEXTILE DESIGN ,
WHERE MOTIFS ARE REPEATED TO CREATE DECORATIVE PATTERNS ON FABRIC OR OTHER TEXTILE MATERIALS .
PATTERNS ARE ALSO USED IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN , WHERE DECORATIVE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS SUCH AS
WINDOWS , COLUMNS , OR PEDIMENTS , ARE INCORPORATED INTO BUILDING DESIGN .
