FORMS

Form is an inclusive term that has several meanings.

It may refer to an external appearance that can be recognised.

Eg. Chair

It may also allude to particular condition in which something acts or

manifests itself.
Eg. Water and its form- ice or stream

In art and design, we often use the term to denote the formal
structure of a work—the manner of arranging and coordinating the
elements and parts of a composition so as to produce a coherent
image
 FORMS
Shape
Visual Properties

Size

Colour

Texture
 PRIMARY FORMS
…cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders, or pyramids are
the great primary forms that light reveals to
advantage; the image of these is distinct and
tangible within us and without ambiguity. It is for
this reason that these are beautiful forms, the most
beautiful forms.” Le Corbusier

Sphere :A solid generated by the revolution of a

semicircle about its diameter, whose surface is at
all points equidistant from the center. A sphere is a
centralized and highly concentrated form. Like the
circle from which it is generated, it is self-centering
and normally stable in its environment. It can be
inclined toward a rotary motion when placed on a
sloping plane. From any viewpoint, it retains its
circular shape.
 PRIMARY FORMS
Cylinder A solid generated by the revolution of a
rectangle about one of its sides. A cylinder is
centralized about the axis passing through the
centers of its two circular faces. Along this axis, it
can be easily extended. The cylinder is stable if it
rests on one of its circular faces; it becomes
unstable when its central axis is inclined from the
vertical

Cone A solid generated by the revolution of a right

triangle about one of its sides. Like the cylinder, the
cone is a highly stable form when resting on its
circular base, and unstable when its vertical axis is
tipped or overturned. It can also rest on its apex in
a precarious state of balanc
 PRIMARY FORMS
Pyramid: A polyhedron having a polygonal base
and triangular faces meeting at a common point or
vertex. The pyramid has properties similar to those
of the cone. Because all of its surfaces are flat
planes, however, the pyramid can rest in a stable
manner on any of its faces. While the cone is a soft
form, the pyramid is relatively hard and angular.

Cube: A prismatic solid bounded by six equal

square sides, the angle between any two adjacent
faces being a right angle. Because of the equality of
its dimensions, the cube is a static form that lacks
apparent movement or direction. It is a stable form
except when it stands on one of its edges or
corners. Even though its angular profile is affected
by our point of view, the cube remains a highly
recognizable form.
PRIMARY FORMS
PRIMARY FORMS
PRIMARY FORMS
PRIMARY FORMS
 REGULAR AND IRREGULAR FORMS
Regular forms refer to those whose parts are
related to one another in consistent and orderly
manner.

Generally stable in nature and symmetrical

about one or more axis.

The sphere cylinder, cone, cube, and pyramid

are examples for regular forms.

Forms can retain their regularity even when

transformed dimensionally or by addition or
subtraction of elements.

Irregular forms are those whose parts are

dissimilar in nature and related to each other in
an inconsistent manner.

Generally asymmetrical and more dynamic than

regular forms
 TRANSFORMATION OF FORMS
All the other forms can be transformations of the primary solids.
Variations are generated by manipulation of dimensions or by addition or subtraction of
elements

DIMENSIONAL ADDITIVE
SUBTRACTIVE FORM
TRANSFORMATION TRANSFORMATION
A form can be transformed A form can be transformed by A form can be transformed
by altering dimensions and subtracting a portion of its by the addition of elements
still retain its identity as a volume. to its volume
member of a family of forms.
DIMENSIONAL TRANSFORMATION OF
FORM
DIMENSIONAL TRANSFORMATION OF
FORM
 SUBTRACTIVE FORM
We search for regularity and continuity
in the forms we see within our cone of
vision. If any primary solid is partially
hidden in it, and we tend to complete
that form and visualize it as a whole.

In the same manner when regular

forms have fragments missing from
their volumes they retain their
identities, such mutilated forms are
subtractive forms.

Simple geometric forms readily adapt

to subtractive treatment.

These forms will retain their formal

identities if portions of their volumes
are removed without deteriorating their
edges, corners, and overall profile.
SUBTRACTIVE FORM

Gorman Residence, Amagansett, New York, 1968,

Julian and Barbara Neski
SUBTRACTIVE FORM
 ADDITIVE TRANSFORMATION
An additive form is produced by relating or physically
attaching one or more subordinate forms to its
volume.
The basic possibilities for grouping two or more forms
are by

Spatial Tension
Relationship relies on close proximity of
forms or their sharing of a common trait,
such as shape colour or material.

Edge to Edge Contact

In this type of relationship , the forms
share a common edge and pivot about
that edge.
 ADDITIVE TRANSFORMATION
Face to Face Contact
This type of relationship requires that
the two forms have corresponding
planar surfaces which are parallel to
each other.

Interlocking Volumes
In this type of relationship, the forms
interpenetrate each others space. The
forms need not share any visual trait.
 ADDITIVE TRANSFORMATION
Additive forms can be characterized
according to nature of relationships that
exists among the components of the
forms.
 ADDITIVE TRANSFORMATION
Centralized Form
These forms require the visual dominance of a geometrically regular, centrally
located forms, such as sphere, cone or cylinder.
Because their inherent centrality, these forms share the self-centring
properties of the point and circle.
They are ideal as free standing structures isolated within their context,
dominating a point in a space, or occupying the centre of a defined field.
 ADDITIVE TRANSFORMATION
Linear Form
A liner form can result in proportional
change in a forms dimension or the
arrangement of a series of form along a
line.
• A linear form can be segmented or
curvilinear to respond to topography,
vegetation, views or other features of the
site

• A linear form can define an edge of an

exterior space, or define a plane of entry
into the spaces behind it.

• A linear form can be manipulated to

enclose a portion of space.

• A linear form can be oriented vertically as

a tower.

• A linear form can serve as an organizing

element.
 ADDITIVE TRANSFORMATION
Radial Form
A radial form consists of linear forms that
extend outward from a centrally located
core element in a radiating manner.

The core is symbolic or functional centre

of the organization. Its central position
can be articulated with visually dominant
form.

The organization of a radial form can be

best seen and understood from a aerial
view point.
 ADDITIVE TRANSFORMATION
Clustered Form
The forms are organized according to their functional requirement of size shape or
proximity.
Considering its flexibility, a clustered organization of forms may be organized in
following ways.

• They can be attached as appendages

to a larger parent form or space.

• They can be related by proximity to

articulate and express their volumes
as individual entities.

• They can interlock their volumes and

merge into single form having a
variety of faces.
Theories of Architecture
by
Jon Lang
 Theory

-a system of ideas, statements

-Mental schema to explain a phenomenon

Theory building involves explanation ( i.e. more than description). It is a creative

process which involves the construction of conceptual structures both to order and
explain observations.
The goal is to describe what is happening and to predict what is going to happen.

Theory in practice, must stand and fall with its practicality, provided that the mode
and contexts be suitably specified. - Abraham Kaplan

Theory building, testing through research or practice, and evaluation are linked in a
continuous process.
 Tested schema using scientific methods.
Positive Positive statements

A way of perceiving reality that imposes a

Model structure on that reality

Prediction that a certain outcome will be

Hypothesis achieved by certain action

Normative As Prescription for action

 Positive theory

• The regularities of the world , observed, described and explained in unbiased,

scientific or quasi-scientific research procedures.

• The value of Positive theory depends on its explanatory and predictive

qualities.

• The basic goal of positive theory is to enable a large number of derivations of

descriptive statements from a single explanatory statement.

• Goal is to be value-free, unbiased, to look for alternative explanations, and to

apply scientific methods of observation and explanation
 Positive theory in Design

• Encompasses understanding of the natural and the built environments and

their role in people’s lives.

• It is concerned with understanding the processes.

• Through hypothesis testing process-every Urban, landscape building design is

a hypothesis or set of hypotheses- that are a component part of theory.

• Systematic evaluation of the built form from the designer’s, sponsor’s, and
user’s viewpoint after it has been constructed.
 Positive theory in Design

Substantial theory Procedural theory

• Concerned with nature of phenomena • Concerned with nature of practice in the
with which Architects and other environment fields.
designers have to deal in their work.
• the processes of design can be
• Concerned with nature of
environment(natural and person subjected to detailed scrutiny.
environment) both at micro and macro • Design process can be described and
level. explained using methods of scientific or
• Goal is to describe , explain nature of quasi-scientific procedures.
materials, nature of geometry, nature • Concerned with nature of design
of structures, nature of interplay process as a whole, the nature of
between the natural and artificial human creativity, the nature of
environment.
analytical, synthesis, and evaluation
• To provide knowledge base (how process.
environment can be structured in
different ways etc)
 Normative Theory
• Consists of the overtly value-laden statements of philosophers, politicians,
and architects.

• Is based on Ideology or world view and are exploratory.

• Normative theory of action-oriented professions, like engineering, nursing,

architecture consists of deontic(relating to duty, obligation, ethical
concepts) statements.

• Aim is having guidelines, principles that simplify process of decision

making.
• Based on positive theories,
• and perceptions of how the world works,
• also on perceptions of good and bad, right and wrong, desirable
undesirable, what is working well and what is not working well etc
 Normative theory in Design

Substantial theory Procedural theory

• Concerned with different positions • Concerned on design processes.
that have been taken or might be
taken on built and natural • Concerned with views of different
environment. designers or schools of thought and
design.
• Concerned with what good
environment or how environment • Concerned with role of designer is
should be. and should be.