PRINCIPLE OF ARCHITECTURAL

DESIGN
DAAT 1043

Chapter 3:

Form
Part 02/03

SUBTOPICS>>

Transformation of Form
1. Dimensional Transformation
2. Subtractive Form
3. Additive Form

TRANSFORMATION OF FORM
All other forms can be understood
transformations of the primary solids
Generated by the

I. Manipulation of one or
more dimensions
II. Addition of elements.
III. Subtraction of elements.

to

be

Dimensional Transformation
Alteration of one or more of its dimensions and
retain its identity
Example: Cube
Discrete changes in height, width or length
creates similar prismatic forms
Compressed cube creates planar form
Stretch out cube creates linear form

Dimensional Transformation
Dimensional Transformation
of a cube into a vertical slab:

United dHabitation, Firminy-Vert, France, 1963-68, Le Corbusier

Dimensional Transformation
A sphere can be transformed into ovoid or ellipsoidal by
elongating it along an axis.

A pyramid can be transformed by altering the dimensions of the

base, modifying the height of the apex or tilting the vertical axis.

Dimensional Transformation

A cube can be transformed into prismatic forms by

shortening or elongating its height, width or depth.

Dimensional Transformation
The Wedding Cathedral, Tbilisi,
Georgia, 1984-89, Victor Djorbenadze

St. Pierre, Firminy-Vert,

France 1965, Le Corbusier

H. C. Price Company Tower,

Oklahoma, Frank Lloyd Wright

Subtractive Form
Subtracting a portion of form/volume
Example: Cube
Subtracting one portion of cube will retain its
identity
Extensive subtract of cubes will transform cubes
into a series of regular polyhedrons

Subtractive Form
Subtractive Transformation Creating Volumes of Space:

Gwathmey Residence, Amagensett, New York, 1967,

Charles Gwathmey/Gwathmy Siegel

Subtractive Form

When regular forms have fragments

missing from their volumes, they retain their
formal identities if we perceive them as
incomplete wholes. These mutilated forms
are referred to as subtractive forms.

Subtractive Form
Because they are easily recognisable, simple geometric forms adapt readily 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
Ambiguity regarding the original identity of a form will
result if the portion removed from its volume erodes
its edges and drastically alters its profile.

Subtractive Form

Spatial volumes may be subtracted from a form to create recessed entrance,

courtyard or window openings shaded

House at Stabio, Switzerland, 1981,

Mario Botta

Gwathmey Residence, Amagansett, New

York,1967, Charles Gwathmey/Gwathmey
Siegel & Associates

Benacerraf House Addition,

Princeton, New Jersey, 1969, Michael
Graves

Sodhan House, Ahmedabad, India,

1956, Le Corbusier

AdditiveTransformation
Addition of elements to its volume
The number and relative sizes of attached
elements determine the identity of the initial form is
altered or retained

AdditiveTransformation
Additive Transformation of a Parent Form by the Attachment of
Subordinate Parts:

United dHabitation, Venice, 1577-92, Andrea Palladio

Additive Transformation
Basic possibilities for grouping forms are by:

Spatial Tension
relies on the close proximity of the forms or sharing of
common visual trait (shape, colour or material)

Edge to Edge Contact

the forms share a common edge and can pivot about the edge

Additive Transformation

Face to Face Contact

the forms have corresponding planar surfaces which are

parallel to each other

Interlocking Volumes
the forms interpenetrate each others space.

AdditiveTransformation

Types of Additive Form

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Centralized forms
Linear form
Radial form
Clustered form
Grid form

AdditiveTransformation
Centralized

A number of secondary
forms clustered about a
dominant, central
parent form

Clustered

Linear

A series of forms
arranged
sequentially in a row

Radial

A composition of linear
forms extending outward
from a central form in a
radial manner

A collection of forms
grouped together by
proximity or the
sharing of a common
visual trait.

Grid

A set of modular forms

related and regulated by a
3 dimensional grid

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Centralized Form

Require the visual dominance of a regular , centrally located form (sphere,

cone or cylinder)

ideal as freestanding structures

dominating a point in space

Embodiy sacred or honorific places

Commemorate significant persons or events

S. Maria Della Salute, Venice, 19163182, Baldassare Longhena

Beth Sholom Synagogue, Elkins Park,

Pennsylvania, 1959, Frank Lloyd Wright

AdditiveTransformation

Centralized

Horyu-Ji Temple, Nara, Japan, A.D. 607

Tempietto, S. Pietro in Montorio, Rome, 1502,

Donato Bramante

Villa Capra (The Rotunda), Vicenza, Italy, 1552-67,

Andrea Palladio

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Linear Form

can be segmented or curvilinear to respond to topography, vegetation, views

or other features of a siteideal as freestanding structures

A linear form can front on or define an edge of an exterior space or define a

plane of entry into the space behind it.

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Linear Form

can be manipulated to enclose a portion of space

can be oriented vertically as a tower element to establish or denote a

point in space.

can serve as an organising element to which variety of secondary forms

are attached.

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Linear Form

Linear growth through the repetition of forms

Linear form expressing procession or movement

Runcorn New Town Housing, England,

1967, James Stirling

Burroughs Adding Machine

Company, Plymouth, Michigan 1904,
Albert Kahn

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Linear Form

Linear form fronting on or defining

exterior space

View towards Malacca riverside

Agora of Assos, Asia Minor, 2nd Century B.C.

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Linear Form

Linear organisation of space

Henry Babson House, Riverside, Illinois 1907,

Louis Sullivan
Alor Star Tower, Alor Star, Kedah,1997

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Radial Form

Radial form consists of linear forms that extended outward

from a centrally located core element

The organisation of a radial form can best be seen and

understood from aerial viewpoint. When viewed from
ground level, its central core may not be visible.

Secretariat Building, UNESCO Headquarters

Place de Fontenoy, Paris,1953-58, Marcel Breuer

Herbert F. Johnson House, Windpoint,,

Wisconsin,1937, Frank Lloyd Wright

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Clustered Form

Groups its forms according to functional requirements of size, shape or proximity.

Lacks the geometric regularity, it is flexible enough to incorporate forms of various

shapes, sizes and orientations into its structure

Considering their flexibility, clustered forms can be organised in the following ways:

Attached as appendages to a
parent form or space

Vacation House, Sea Ranch, California,1968,

MLTW/Moore & Turnbull

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Clustered Form

Interlock their volumes and merge into a single form having various faces

G.N. Black House (Kragsyde), Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts, 1882-83,

Peabody & Stearns

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Clustered Form

Can be readily transformed into modular, geometrically ordered compositions which
are related to grid organisations.

Habitat Montreal, 1967, Moshe Safdie

Trulli Villa, Alberobello, Italy, Traditional dry
stone shelters

AdditiveTransformation

Characteristic of Grid Form

A set of modular form related and regulated by a

3D grid

A square grid is non-hierarchical and nondirectional because of the equality of its

dimensions and its bilateral symmetry,

Hattenbach Residence, Santa Monica, California 1971-73,

Raymond Kappe
Nakagin Capsule Building, Tokyo, 1972,
Kisho Kurokawa

End of Form
Part 02/03
Thank you.