Tishk International University

Engineering Faculty
Architectural Engineering Department

SCALE AND PROPORTION

Lecturer : WAFAA WASFI YASEEN

wafaa.wasfi@tiu.edu.iq

Fifth Lecture
INDEX
Scale
Proportion
Reference
SCALE
Scale: Size relationship We often compare an
between two separate object’s size to the size
objects (often our own of our own bodies.
human size).
 SCALE

Scale refers to how we perceive or judge the size of something in

relation to something else.

Large binoculars and human Human scale to the court building

SCALE RELATED TO RATIOS

Scale model of a building

Scale model of a scooter

 MECHANICAL SCALE
The size or proportion of something relative to an
accepted standard of measurement. For example, we
can say that a table is, according to the U.S. customary
system, 3 feet wide, 6 feet long, and 29 inches high.
Using the international metric system,
the same table would measure
914 mm wide, 1829 mm long,
and 737 mm high.
The physical dimensions
of the table have not changed,
just the system used to
calculate its size.
 VISUAL SCALE
The size or proportion an element appears to have
relative to other elements of known or assumed size..
Visual scale of particular interest to designers is the
notion of visual scale, which refers not to the actual
dimensions of things, but rather to how small or large
something appears to be in relation to its normal size
or to the size of other things in its context.
Visual scale For example, the size and
proportion of windows in a building
façade are visually related to one
another as well as to the spaces
between them and the overall
dimensions of the façade. If the
windows are all of the same size and
shape, they establish a scale relative to
the size of the façade. If, however, one
of the windows is larger than the
others, it would create another scale
within the composition of the façade.
The jump in scale could indicate the
size or significance of the space behind
the window, or it could alter our
perception of the size of the other
windows or the overall dimensions of
the facade.
Visual scale Many building elements have sizes and characteristics that are familiar to us
and which we use to estimate the size of other elements around them. Such elements as
residential window units and doorways, it help in giving us an idea of how large a
building is and how many stories it has. Stairs and certain modular materials, such as
brick and concrete block, help us measure the scale of a space. Because of their
familiarity, these elements, if oversized, can also be used to deliberately alter our
perception of the size of a building form or space.
The recessed entry portals of Reims Cathedral are scaled to the dimensions of
the facade and can be seen and recognized at a distance as the entrances to the
interior space of the church. As we get closer, however, we see that the actual
entrances are really simple doors within the larger portals and are scaled to our
dimensions, to a human scale.

Monumental scale entry Human scale doors

 HUMAN SCALE

Human scale in architecture is based on the dimensions

and proportions of the human body. We can use elements
that have human meaning and whose dimensions are
related to the dimensions of our posture, pace, reach, or
grasp.
Human scale In addition to the vertical dimension of a space, other factors that affect
its scale are:

• The shape, color, and pattern of its bounding surfaces

• The shape and disposition of its openings
• The nature and scale of the elements placed within it
 SCALE RELATED TO UNITS
The entity an object or space is being compared to
may be an accepted unit or standard of measurement.
1m

3.28 ft
 ARCHITECTURAL SCALE
The scale is used in Architecture as a
tool to represent large objects at a
smaller size when producing the
architectural drawing (Floor plan, Site
plan, Elevation, Cross-section, Detail
drawings, etc.) by hand or one of the
architectural drawing software in order
to allow them to be read with ease on a
standard-sized sheet of paper.

Scale is important because it enables us

to recognize the relationship between a
drawing or physical model and the
reality of its real-world size.
 ARCHITECTURAL SCALE RULER
A scale ruler is a tool for measuring lengths and transferring
measurements at a fixed ratio of length; two common examples
are an architectural scale ruler and engineers scale ruler.
 THE ARCHITECTS SCALE
As architects and architectural students, whether you work with
metric of imperial units, there are set scales that are used to produce
scale drawings, and these are:

scales metric scales imperial

1:5000 – Pronounced one to five thousand 3″=1′-0″ – Pronounced three inches to a foot
1:1000 1 1⁄2″=1′-0″
1:500 1″=1′-0″
1:200 1⁄2″=1′-0″
1:100 3⁄4″=1′-0″
1:200 3⁄8″=1′-0″
1:100 1⁄4″=1′-0″
1:50 1⁄8″=1′-0″
1:20 3⁄16″=1′-0″
1:10 3⁄32″=1′0″
1:5
 HOW TO READ SCALE DRAWINGS
There is a common term which is 'to scale', this term simply means that
every component within a drawing or physical model is represented by one
of the common scales.
When reading a scaled drawing, the scale is shown as the length in the
drawing, then a colon (":"), and then the matching length on the real
object…… such as 1:100
For example, a floor plan of a building drawn using a metric scale of 1:100
(pronounced “one to a one hundred”), means that for each unit that is
measured on the drawing (the 1), the real-world size of it is 100 times larger
(the 100) than it appears.

The actual length is = 10 m If the scale is 1:100

or = 10 00 cm Then, the drawing the length is = 10 cm
So if a measurement taken from the drawing is 10 mm, then at real world
scale would be 1000 mm when built.
How to produce the dimension of drawing depending on the scale?

The real length = 10 m , or 1000 cm

Scale 1: 50

The drawing length = 20 cm

Scale 1: 200

The drawing length = 5 cm

Scale 1: 500

The drawing length = 2 cm

Standard scales for architectural drawings
The type of scale you choose is dependent of the type of
drawing you wish to produce.

1:5000 – Location plan

1:1000 (1”=80’0”) - Location Plan
1:500 (1”=40’0”) – Site plan
1:250 (1”=20’0”) - Site plan (note that 1:250 is not a common metric scale)
1:200 (1/16”=1’0”) – Floor plans, elevations and sections
1:100 (1/8”=1’0”) – Floor plans, elevations and sections
1:50 (1/4”=1’0”) - Floor plans, elevations and sections
1:25 (3/4”=1’0”) - Room plans, interior elevations
(note that 1:25 is not a common metric scale)
1:20 (3/4”=1’0”) - Room plans, interior elevations
1:10 (1 1/2”=1’0”) – Joinery, component details, construction details
1:5 (3”= 1’0”) – Construction details
1:2 (Half size) – Construction details
1:1 (Full size) – Construction details
PROPORTION
• Proportion – Relation of one part to another or
whole – Equality between 2 ratios.

• Ratio – Relation in magnitude, quantity, or degree

between 2 or more similar things.

• Again, we often think of proportions in terms of size

relationships within the human body.
 PROPORTION
Proportioning systems go beyond the functional and technical
determinants of architectural and interior form and space to provide
an aesthetic rationale for their dimensions.

They can visually unify the multiplicity of elements in design by

having all of its parts belong to the same family of proportions. They
can provide a sense of order in, and heighten the continuity of, a
sequence of spaces. They can establish relationships between the
exterior and interior elements of a building.

Theories of Proportion:
• Golden Section
• Classical Orders
• Renaissance Theories
• Modular
• Ken
• Anthropometry
 GOLDEN SECTION (Golden Ratio)
The Golden Section can be defined as the ratio between
two sections of a line, or the two dimensions of a plane
figure, in which the lesser of the two is to the greater as
the greater is to the sum of both. It can be expressed
algebraically by the equation of two ratios:
Another progression that closely approximates the Golden Section in
whole numbers is the Fibonacci Series: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 . . . . Each
term again is the sum of the two preceding ones, and the ratio between
two consecutive terms tends to approximate the Golden Section as the
series progresses to infinity.
It has been observed in nature, art, and architecture for centuries,
known for its ability to create balance and harmony. Architects like
Leonardo da Vinci and Le Corbusier incorporated this ratio into their
works to create visually pleasing forms.
Golden spiral Golden Rectangle

B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vct4pM4Bk70
CLASSICAL ORDERS

Originating from Greek and Roman architecture, these

are systems of proportions based on column styles and
their relationships with other building elements.
The main orders are:
• Doric: Simplistic and strong, often used for large,
sturdy structures.
• Ionic: More elegant and characterized by
scroll-shaped volutes.
• Corinthian: The most ornate, with intricate
acanthus leaf decorations.
Classical orders provide a framework for architectural
balance, symmetry, and hierarchy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgyMZApnwSE
MODULAR

Developed by Le Corbusier, the Modular is a system of

proportions based on the human body, intended to
bridge functional and aesthetic aspects of design. It uses
a human figure with raised and lowered arms, creating a
proportional series of measurements (e.g., 113 cm, 226
cm). The system promotes human-centered design,
ensuring comfort and visual balance. In the words of Le
Corbusier, “a machine, a piece of furniture or a
newspaper are extensions of man. And architecture, and
as a result every object created for man, must not only
impact on a mental or emotional level but also on a more
physical or bodily level”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUpc9CD3EPs
ANTHROPOMETRY

• This theory focuses on human body measurements

and how they influence the design of spaces,
furniture, and tools.
• Anthropometric principles are used to create
environments that are ergonomic, accessible, and
comfortable for human use.
• Example: Ergonomic workspaces and universal design
principles prioritize anthropometric data to optimize
human movement and efficiency.
 References

▪Ching, F. D. K., (2007). Architecture: Form, Space, and Order,

(3rd Edition ed.): John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Levit, R.A. (1996) Language, Sites and Types: A Consideration of

the Work of Alvaro Siza. The Journal of Achitecture, 1.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/136023696374668.