E103: What is Design? From the Teacup to the City (and Beyond)
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Table of Contents
Introduction to Visual Analysis
The Following Definitions of Design Ordering Principles are from Francis
D.K. Ching's book Architecture: Form, Space and Order (New York:
Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1979.)
AXIS
A line established by two points
in space, and about which forms and spaces can be arranged.
This Indiana Avenue entrance to the Carmichael Center, by Ratio
Architects, has a major axis through the entrance (red) and minor ones
throughout the facade (green). (Photoshop diagram by first year interior
design student Elspeth Thibos).
SYMMETRY
The balanced distribution of
equivalent forms and spaces about a common line (axis) or point (center).
This Kirkwood Avenue entrance to the Carmichael Center, by
Ratio Architects, is balanced as a whole and each of the three major sections
are symmetrical (Photoshop diagram by 1st year interior design student
Ikumi Kobayashi).
HIERARCHY
The articulation of the importance or significance of a form or space by
its size, shape, or placement, relative to the other forms and spaces of
the organization.
This Kirkwood Avenue entrance to the Carmichael Center, by Ratio Architects,
is hierarchical in terms of size, shapes, and placement (Photoshop diagram
by 1st year interior design student Elspeth Thibos).
RHYTHM/REPETITION
The use of recurring patterns, and their resultant rhythms, to organize
a series of like forms and spaces.
This Indiana Avenue facade of the Carmichael Center, by Ratio Architects,
reflects a complex rhythm of different repetitive elements. (Photoshop
diagram by first year interior design student Ikumi Kobayashi).
DATUM
A line, plane, or volume that, by its continuity and regularity, serves
to collect, gather, and organize a pattern of forms and spaces.
This Indiana Avenue facade of the Carmichael Center, by Ratio Architects,
has different repetitive elements, e.g. the windows shown in blue and green,
and the yellow representing the lower, limestone part of the facade, that
visually unify the facade. (Photoshop diagram by first year interior design
student Elspeth Thibos).
TRANSFORMATION
The principle that an architectural concept or organization can be retained,
strengthened, and built upon through a series of discrete manipulations
and transformations.
This Indiana Avenue facade of the Carmichael Center, by Ratio Architects,
is influenced by the White Rabbit building to the left, the overall building
height, as well as the choice of window style and treatment guided the
designers of the new building (as shown in pink). (Photoshop diagram by
first year interior design student Elspeth Thibos).
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Microtheme Paper
PROJECT 1 BRIEF
Overview
For this assignment you will write a 500 word paper in which
you focus on the work of an architect or designer of your choosing.
In the paper you will set out the artist's philosophy and the visual characteristics
of their work, diagramming the presence of these ideas, through an analysis
of ordering principles, in a facade elevation.
Schedule
The stages (and deadlines) for writing your paper are as
follows:
Wednesday, 20 January: Assignment of paper given, choose
architect to focus on
Monday, 25 January: Begin visual analysis
Monday, 1 February: Submit Project 1 visual analysis
Wednesday, 3 February: Begin bibliographical research,
Fine Arts Library
tours begin (meet there at your scheduled time)
Monday, 8 February: Submit Project 1 bibliography (minimum
of six good sources)
Wednesday, 10 February: Submit Project 1 thesis statements
and outlines
Monday, 22 February: Project
1 due at the beginning of class
Format
Your papers are to be neatly typed, and should include references
to all of the sources you cited. Images should be included and neatly labeled,
with the source given in correct bibliographical format. Page numbers should
also be included for any direct quotations. Any paraphrases must also be
credited to the original source used.
Grading
The interim assignments outlined above will constitute 20%
(i.e. two letter grades) of your mark on
Project 1; the remainder will be based on the content
of your final submission.
**Click here to see: Project
#1: Process To Follow
==========================================================================================================
PART 1: VISUAL ANALYSIS
To begin this assignment you will choose one of the architects listed below
and analyze a facade (elevation) of one of their buildings identifying
the following characteristics neatly in fine width colored pen or pencil:
axis; symmetry + balance; hierarchy; rhythm + repetition; datum; and transformation.
Additional information on these ordering principles can be found in Francis
D.K. Ching's book Architecture: Form, Space and Order which is on
reserve in the Fine Arts Library (ask at the circulation desk).
Architects to Choose From:
Mies van der Rohe/Le Corbusier/Frank Lloyd Wright/Alvar Aalto/Michael Graves/Robert
A.M. Stern/Robert Venturi/Mario Botta/Richard Meier/James Stirling/Norman
Foster/Charles Moore/Aldo Rossi/SITE/Aldo van Eyck/Arata Isozaki/Tadao
Ando/Louis Kahn/I.M. Pei/Gerrit Rietveld/Kenzo Tange/Helmut Jahn/Frank
Gehry/Peter Eisenman/Bernard Tschumi/Erich Mendelsohn/Hans Hollein
Note: Other architects may be reported on with instructor's permission.
Click here for Project 1: Sample
Elevations
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In-Class Writing Assignment Hints
Qualities of a Good Paragraph
* Features a controlling,
or thesis statement
- "Set
up" what is to follow, linking terms logically
* Presents a "progressive"
series of cases
- Give
definitions of movements with specific examples,
and note
how the designers work or the discipline embodies these principles
* Concludes with a sentence
tying the thoughts presented together
- In this
case focus on the visual implications of the subject matter
Note: Underline the major terms used in your paragraphs,
i.e. the names of
designers, movements, and visual characteristics
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Quiz Hints
These will be added as needed.
Exam Hints
These will be added as needed.
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Extra Credit
Columbus, Indiana Visit and Report
For extra credit students may visit and report on the architecture in Columbus,
Indiana. You
may either participate in an organized or self-guided tour of the buildings
there, but in either case you are to visually document five buildings,
presenting them in a designerly way that identifies their name, date of
completion, location, architect, the movement they are associated with,
the overall concept, and the key design features (3 - 5). The choice of
format is up to each student (e.g. reports, boards, computer presentation).
For more information on the Architecture in Columbus:
For maps to Columbus:
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Additional
Resources: Quick links to important resources
UITS education programs
(e.g. the Steps ones)
Library
Reserve Materials
Writing
Tutorial Services
Student Academic
Centers
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Last Updated: 30.1.1999
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~iucdp/topics.html
Send Comments and Suggestions to: mitchelc@indiana.edu
Copyright 1997,
The Trustees of Indiana University