Compositions In Architecture

Architecture Use the patterns of architectural composition to inspire creative design In Compositions in Architecture, Don Hanlon offers students an excitingly original path to dis-covering architectural composition, one that avoids the traditional either/or choice between theory and practice. By exploring the underlying patterns of organization in architecture, this book enables the reader to connect architectural theory with the design process. And by relating what happens in the design studio with how the architect thinks about architectural composition, the approach spurs creative thinking. With examples that range across diverse cultures and historical periods—from the famous to the obscure—the author reveals the universal compositional strategies that can be used to solve particular architectural problems. Readers will explore: The five formal properties of composition—number, geometry, proportion, hierarchy, and orientation How the plan conveys the central organizing strategy of a building Typological similarities of architectural forms that cut across cultural, social, historical, and geographic boundaries Enriched by a graphic approach that will appeal to visual learners, Compositions in Architecture reveals the formal structures in architecture throughout the world as well as through the ages and inspires architects to turn abstract ideas into real-world design.

'It is my aim to rehabilitate an architecture that has become dishonoured and disgraced.' Rob Krier is a unique voice in today's architectural discourse through his commitment to developing a relevant and pragmatic theory of architecture based on his own experience and observations of architectural practice and opposed to the easy, abstract theorising so common in contemporary architectural writing. Together with his brother Leon, he has perfected a form of presentation in which the potency of his thinking finds its perfect counterpoint in detailed drawings and sketches which argue his case visually through the power of example. Following the success of his widely acclaimed "Urban Space," a work which looked at the problems of our cities from a historical, theoretical and practical standpoint, Krier now applies his particular, highly influential mode of didactic criticism to contemporary architecture in a continuing search for fundamental architectural truths. "Architectural Composition" is both a theortetical and visual analysis which clearly illustrates the creative process which informs Krier's vision and praxis. The culmination of a lifetime's thought and experience by one of Europe's most important architectural theorists, it is without doubt a major achievement and will become a standard work of reference for both students and practising architects.

In architecture, composition refers to the conception of a building according to principles of regularity and hierarchy, or according to the principles of obtaining equilibrium. However, it is not until the beginning of the nineteenth century that the notion of composition becomes truly associated with architectural conception, notably under the influence of Jean-Nicolas-Louis Durand and his statement on the Marche à suivre dans la composition d’un project quelconque [Procedure to be followed in the composition of any project]. The concept quickly erodes during the twentieth century, with the adoption of neutral architectural devices, the use of aggregative processes, and the adoption of "objective" operations, all of which can be understood as an attempt to move beyond compositional principles. In Composition, Non-Composition, Jacques Lucan invites his readers to consider this novel historical perspective of architectural theory. The author describes the interaction of ideas that often clash with one another, with some that fade away as others emerge, thus offering invaluable keys to understanding contemporary architecture. Although this book is primarily addressed to students of architecture, it will also appeal to architects, historians of architecture, as well as to the interested public.

Well arranged, logical, and aptly illustrated, this classic survey covers every aspect of the design process. It addresses architectural principles as well as their practical application, examining general questions of scale, balance, proportion, and symmetry and presenting detailed treatments of doors, windows, walls, stairways, columns, and other features. Long acknowledged as a valuable resource for students and teachers alike, this volume is unsurpassed in terms of the richness of its material and the consistency of its insights. It was written by Nathaniel Cortlandt Curtis, an influential designer and artist who served as the head of the Tulane School of Architecture. Curtis illustrated his work with nearly 250 line drawings that depict architectural elements from a splendid variety of periods and settings, from ancient Rome's temples and palaces to modern-day hotels and museums of Paris and New York.

The experience of architectural spaces is formed by the way they are staged. The Drama of Space examines the composition and articulation of architectural spaces in terms of spatial dramaturgy, as a repertoire of means and strategies for shaping spatial experience. This fundamental approach to architectural design is presented in four parts: Archetypal principles of spatial composition are traced from the study of three assembly buildings of the early modern period in Venice. Theatre, film, music, and theory provide background knowledge on dramaturgy. Detailed analyses of 18 international case studies offer new perspectives on contemporary architecture. The book ends with a systematic presentation of the dramaturgy of space, its parameters and tools, in architectural design.

Excerpt from Architectural Composition: An Attempt to Order and Phrase Ideas Which Hitherto Have Been Only A conviction in the mind of the author of the possibility of formulating the approved practice of architects in designing the exterior of buildings resulted in the publication in 1898 of a series of articles upon the Principles of Architectural Composition in the Architectural Record, which were afterward reprinted in book form. This was favorably received, and formed the basis of a course of lectures which has been given by the author annually for some years at Columbia University before the students of the School of Architecture. The theories involved have never been impugned, nor indeed can they well be; as they comprise only generalizations of principles which have long been recognized in their individual application. The present work developes these theories in more coherent and logical form, and, it is believed, will serve to simplify the acquisition of the subject of which it treats. In conclusion, the author expresses his thanks to those whose names follow for their kind aid in obtaining illustrations: Messrs. Babb, Cook & Willard; Mr. James B. Baker; Mr. H. W. Desmond; Mr. Wilson Eyre; Messrs. Carrere & Hastings; Mr. George A. Freeman; Messrs. Howe, Hoit & Cutler; Mr. Elliott Lynch; Mr. Benjamin W. Morris; Messrs. Bruce, Price & de Silbour; Mr. George B. Post; Mr. H. W. Poor; Messrs. Andrew J. Robinson Co.; and Mr. E. R. Smith. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.