Design Theories

ChapterI

Design Theories

CHAPTER I:

DESIGN
THEORIES
INFLUENCES ON
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
I.
GENERAL INFLUENCE
II.
ELEMENTS OF STRUCTURE
ChapterI
Design Theories
I. GENERAL INFLUENCES
NEEDS OF MAN
1. PHYSICAL NEEDS
a. Self preservation . . . .
Food, shelter, clothing-basic

add to this basic needs:
power, water, transportation, ecological balance,education, sports,
medical, livelihood
b. Reproduction-for the population to increase and continue in existence.
SHELTER. .. is something that covers, protects, or defends as a roof that

shields
one from the elements and changes.
ChapterI
Design Theories
The modern man's shelter shall have:
1. Necessities-warm, dry house with glazed doors, windows, sanitation and

permanency.
2. Conveniences- rooms shall be arranged economically. Circulations are
studied according to
functions, such as
the kitchen for food preparation, bedroom for sleep and bathroom
for cleanliness.
3. Comforts - this must contain the labor-saving devices which provide heat,
ventilation, and instant communication. The furnishings are
designed for comfort.
2. EMOTIONAL NEEDS
The emotional reactions of man have to do with the instincts stirred by the forces of
religion and art and with the desire to indulge in recreation. Art in its broadest
interpretation assumes the various familiar forms painting, sculpture, music,
literature.
3. INTELLECTUAL NEEDS
Education, science and government, demand a proper architectural setting. Intellect

or reason alone may erect a utilitarian building; emotion will endow it with beauty
and interest.
ACTIVITIES OF MAN
If life is to exist and civilization is to develop, there are fundamental impulses or

desires which must be satisfied. These forces may be called the stimuli to action.
Their effect upon life and architecture, may be designated as Resulting
Manifestations: RM
ChapterI
Design Theories
1 . Desire for Preservation -in obtaining food, shelter, clothing and security,
civilized man must have commerce, government and religion. These activities
call for their accompanying structures, or architecture.
2. Desire for Recognition -this is a desire for prestige, pride and ambition, social
status, physical supremacy, intellectual attainment, personal or civic, result in
the-struggle for position. As a result, man build palaces, skyscrapers, or
communities may erect cathedrals
or public buildings and monuments.
3. Desire for Response- This arises from the gregarious nature of man, from his
wish for love, friendship, and sociability.
In seeking the companionship of his fellow creatures, man congregates. His

social instincts call for fraternal buildings and city clubs. His semi-public
buildings must contain banquet halls and ball rooms; his home must have a
living room to make human association possible.
4. Desire for Self-Expression-This is the urge of man to assert himself as an

individual.
To do things in his own particular way.
This is responsible for aesthetic expression; for architecture in its highest form,
which result in building of theatres, museums, etc. To show that he is the best in
sports or recreation, encouraged the building of stadia, bowling alleys, gymnasiums,
etc.
EFFECT ON ARCHITECTURE
WARMER CLIMATES
COLDER CLIMATES
The buildings may be more flamboyant

in
their conception and usually a closer
relations
exists between the works of man and
The architecture is more severe and the

designer
depend less upon the landscape tor
final effect. Colors are usually more sub
dued.
ChapterI
Design Theories
nature where vegetation is more

luxuriant,
more attention is paid to the color and
texture
of surface treatment.
Plain wall areas give an opportunity for
contrast with the colors of the foliage.
1. PLANS
COLDER CLIMATES
WARMER CLIMATES
More compact in arrangement. The
The plans are more open and often severe
include
cold winds is avoided by providing a
courts or patios.
cover
from portion of the building to the other.
2. STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
In the past, walls were load bearing, wall thickness were thick, to carry the load of
the floors and the roof and also to resist the extremes of temperature and to protect
man from his enemies.
ChapterI
Design Theories
Today, modern man erects structures to protect his investment from depreciation
and himself from the curiosity of his neighbors. Walls are no longer bearing walls.
They no longer carry loads as thin as the material will permit. The development of
insulation makes it possible to keep out the heat and the cold in a highly
satisfactory manner.
ChapterI
Design Theories
3. PROTECTIVE ELEMENTS
The roof protects the interior from the elements of climate like typhoon, heat of the
sun, etc.
WARMER CLIMATE
COLDER CLIMATE
- In the Past-
The roofs are usually rather flat and

colourful.
As in the rich red and brown tile roof of
Italy.
The roofs become steeper and less

colourful.
The necessity of shedding the rain and
snow makes the greater pitch to the
roofs
more practical.
ChapterI
Design Theories
Entrance porches are the result of the desire for protection. The driving rains and
cold winds made these porches a desirable adjunct to the entrances.
ChapterI
Design Theories
-Modern DevelopmentsHowever, with new inventions and innovations, steel and concrete construction.
Insulation, and modern drainage make almost any kind of utilitarian roof possible.
The roof may be flat even in cold countries and invisible from the ground. The roof
has now become a terrace, and the accompanying fresh air and sunshine contribute
to the health of a nation.
ChapterI
Design Theories
4. CIRCULATORY ELEMENTS
Windows- permit the entrance of light and circulation of air

Doors, Stairs, corridor-circulation of human traffic and materials
- In the Past
WARMER CLIMATES
Windows are usually small in order not to
admit too muct light, which produces
excessive
heat and glare.
COLDER CLIMATES
Windows are usually large in order to
capture
the greatest amount of light, and heat
the interior.
ChapterI
Design Theories
-ModernIn the architecture of the 20th Century, there has ceased to be the relation between
windows and climate that existed in the past. We can now heat or cool our houses in
a satisfactory manner with less reference to the sizes of openings and windows
often simply contribute to the cheerfulness of the interior.
In the last few years, there has come a new conception of hygienic and therapeutic
possibilities
of the window. A type of glass has been devek>ped which does not filter out the
ultraviolet
rays of the sunshine; as does ordinary window glass.
Man also invented machines for air conditioning, heating, ventilating and this
machine age
brought about the suggestion of windowless buildings.
5. DECORATIVE ELEMENTS
WARMER CLIMATES
With brilliant sunshine, pronounced
mouldings
are unnecessary and undesirable. When
mouldings are used, the curves should
be
flatter and more subtle.
COLDER CLIMATES
Sculpture and mouldings are usually
deeply
curved and undercut to catch the
maximum
amount of light.
ChapterI
Design Theories
Color is a decorative element which in warm countries assumes an importance

rivaling that of carvings. Plain wall surfaces in white or light pastel tones, with their
various textures catch the sunlight and allow an interesting play of shadows from
projecting roots and adjoining trees. Colored tiles are also conspicuous in the
architecture in the Mediterranean countries.

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ChapterI

Food, shelter, clothing-basic

b. Reproduction-for the population to increase and continue in existence.

SHELTER. .. is something that covers, protects, or defends as a roof that

The modern man's shelter shall have:

1. Necessities-warm, dry house with glazed doors, windows, sanitation and

Education, science and government, demand a proper architectural setting. Intellect

If life is to exist and civilization is to develop, there are fundamental impulses or

In seeking the companionship of his fellow creatures, man congregates. His

4. Desire for Self-Expression-This is the urge of man to assert himself as an

The buildings may be more flamboyant

The architecture is more severe and the

nature where vegetation is more

The roofs are usually rather flat and

The roofs become steeper and less

Windows- permit the entrance of light and circulation of air

Color is a decorative element which in warm countries assumes an importance

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