Architecture: Form, Space, and Order

FRANCIS D.K. CHING is the bestselling author of numerous books on architecture and design, including A Global History of Architecture, Architectural Graphics, A Visual Dictionary of Architecture, Interior Design Illustrated, and Building Construction Illustrated, all published by Wiley. He is a registered architect and Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Preface vii Acknowledgments viii Introduction ix 1 Primary Elements Primary Elements 2 Point 4 Point Elements 5 Two Points 6 Line 8 Linear Elements 10 Linear Elements Defining Planes 15 From Line to Plane 14 Plane 18 Planar Elements 20 Volume 28 Volumetric Elements 30 2 Form Form 34 Properties of Form 35 Shape 36 Primary Shapes 38 Circle 39 Triangle 40 Square 41 Surfaces 42 Curved Surfaces 43 Primary Solids 46 Regular & Irregular Forms 50 Transformation of Form 54 Dimensional Transformation 56 Subtractive Form 58 Subtractive & Additive Forms 61 Additive Form 62 Centralized Form 64 Linear Form 66 Radial Form 70 Clustered Form 72 Grid Form 76 Formal Collisions of Geometry 78 Circle & Square 80 Rotated Grid 82 Articulation of Form 84 Edges & Corners 86 Corners 87 Surface Articulation 92 3 Form & Space Form & Space 100 Form & Space: Unity of Opposites 102 Form Defining Space 110 Horizontal Elements Defining Space 111 Base Plane 112 Elevated Base Plane 114 Depressed Base Plane 120 Overhead Plane 126 Vertical Elements Defining Space 134 Vertical Linear Elements 136 Single Vertical Plane 144 L-Shaped Configuration of Planes 148 L-Shaped Planes 149 Parallel Vertical Planes 154 Parallel Planes 155 U-Shaped Planes 160 Four Planes: Closure 166 Four Planes: Enlosure 170 Openings in Space-Defining Elements 174 Openings within Planes 176 Openings at Corners 178 Openings between Planes 180 Qualities of Architectural Space 182 Degree of Enclosure 184 Light 186 View 190 4 Organization Organization of Form & Space 196 Spatial Relationships 197 Space within a Space 198 Interlocking Spaces 200 Adjacent Spaces 202 Spaces Linked by a Common Space 204 Spatial Organizations 206 Centralized Organizations 208 Linear Organizations 218 Radial Organizations 228 Clustered Organizations 234 Grid Organizations 242 5 Circulation Circulation: Movement through Space 252 Circulation Elements 253 Approach 254 Entrance 262 Configuration of the Path 276 Path-Space Relationships 290 Form of the Circulation Space 294 6 Proportion & Scale Proportion & Scale 306 Material Proportions 307 Structural Proportions 308 Manufactured Proportions 310 Proportioning Systems 311 Golden Section 314 Regulating Lines 318 Classical Orders 320 Renaissance Theories 326 Modulor 330 Ken 334 Anthropometry 338 Scale 341 Visual Scale 342 Human Scale 344 A Scalar Comparison 346 7 Principles Ordering Principles 350 Axis 352 Symmetry 360 Hierarchy 370 Datum 380 Rhythm 396 Repetition 397 Transformation 418 Conclusion 422 A Selected Bibliography 425 Glossary 427 Index of Buildings 435 Index of Designers 441 Index of Subject Matter 443