1. Design Theory
Lecture – 1
Ar. Meghna S.

2. Historic sources of contemporary ideas
What is architecture?
The art and science of designing buildings and non-building structures
According to Vitruvius (De architectura) a structure must exhibit the three qualities of firmitas, utilitas, venustas – that is, it must be solid, useful, beautiful
According to Vitruvius, architecture is an imitation of nature. As birds and bees built their nests, so humans constructed houses from natural materials, that gave them shelter against the natural atrocities.
Vitruvian Triad

3. Elements Considerations in architecture: - Human beings
- Site & site related criteria
- Available materials & technology

4. Humans – 1 Most important element in design
Having unending demands and have curiosity, explorations & innovations
Constantly changing pattern of likes and dislikes
Changing styles according to principles, philosophies, convictions and whims
Anthropometry (Vitruvius man) and certain set of functions
Society, culture and occupations play major role

5. Humans – 2
Study of psychology, behavioral pattern, society for better architecture
As architecture of any age is an expression of people and their culture
Architecture / designs to suit needs of people
Residential, commercial, occupational, institutional, sacred etc type of architecture

6. Site and site-related
Need for shelter itself, arrived from site and site-related factors like geometry, topography, geology, environment, surroundings, climate (temperature/rain/snow/wind etc)
Use of engineering technology & inventions to take care of all these factors
Application of geometry, mathematics and sciences
Methods such as surveying and leveling, measuring sites and plots

7. Material & Technology
Application of materials and technology make designs functional and delightful
Use of materials for walls, roofs, floors and finishes
Different building materials – stone, brick, mud, concrete, steel etc

8. Material & Technology Architecture is conceived as:
A structure obeying physical law
Perceptual impressions evoking subjective emotions
Both (inter-related) these can be achieved through application of different materials put together using certain system of engineering technology
Few of the examples of helping inventions are air-conditioning, lifts, electricity etc.

9. Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch dealing with the nature of art, beauty, and taste, with the creation and appreciation of beauty.
More scientifically defined as the study of sensory-emotional values, sometimes called sentiment and taste.
More broadly, scholars in the field define aesthetics as "critical reflection on art, culture and nature.“
Various studies, means and scientific principles to create aesthetic effects e.g. Golden Ratio
Concerned with all disciplines