ARCH 16

Tools for Understanding

Architecture:
THE
ARCHITECTURAL
CONCEPT

Arch 16
 Concepts in Architecture
• *CONCEPTS: Ideas that integrate various
elements in a whole.

• ELEMENTS: Ideas, Notions, Thoughts,

Observations

• *Design: Response to a Concept

 Concepts in Architecture

• *Le Corbusier’s Carpenter Center of the Visual

Arts, Harvard University.

• (Given the translation, What is the Concept?---

Openness, Visibility, Familiarity, Accessibility,
etc.)
 Six Synonyms to describe search
for concept:

• ARCHITECTURAL IDEAS: concepts reduced to a

formal architectonic concern (daylight, space,
sequences, form, etc. In other words, physical
systems, influences, needs, function)

• THEMES: pattern or idea that recurs….

Cohesion, ornamentation, aesthetics
 Six Synonyms to describe search
for concept:
• SUPERORGANIZING IDEAS: general geometric
configurations…. A general pattern (massing,
form finding, general look…. Macro view…..
The big picture….
• Urban planning and design...general
function….
• But designing can come from the core, too.
• Each part of the whole may have its own
unique configuration.
 Six Synonyms to describe search
for concept:
• PARTI (scheme) and ESQUISSE (sketch)---
Graphic products, initial stage in translation…
Preliminary sketch… the first interpretation.
(Beaux Arts, France)

• LITERAL TRANSLATIONS (Edward Larrabee

Barnes)- Initial Graphical Diagram
(representation); more concrete, more
definite, more specific
•*Concept Formulation is
a Creative act… Bringing
things together
(architects, designers,
musicians, etc.)
 Conceptualization Problems
• 1. Communication…. Explaining an idea…… to
pave way for translation… SELF… you should
understand your own ideas, etc.
• 2. Inexperience… unfamiliar… blurred vision
of architecture… What is architecture?
• 3. Identification of Appropriate hierarchies…
Function? Aesthetics? Many other factors… An
understanding of the relationships among
IDEAS, NOTIONS, and CONCEPTS
 Architectural Concept Hierarchies
• NOTIONS…random…insubstantial….likened to
fantasy
• IDEAS…concrete thoughts--understanding,
insight, or observation… response to existing
factors…..
• CONCEPTS…specific thoughts… understanding
+ requirements
• CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS
 CONCEPTUAL SCENARIOS
• A Single Concept should tie all elements
together……… integrate various parts into a
whole…. Made up of several other concepts…
not just a statement, but sort of an
explanation of other subconcepts…
incrementalism….

• An explanation of what scenario is expected…

• CONCEPT HIERARCHIES-
 Notion, Idea,
Concept, Scenario
 APPROPRIATENESS

• concept and solution

should be appropriate

• Sculptural, foreground,
background
THE DESIGN PROCESS

ARCH.
SCHEMATICS
PROGRAMMING

INCEPTION FINAL DESIGN

CONSTRUCTION
REVIEW
DOCS.

CONSTRUCTION
ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAMMING

DATA GATHERING

ANALYSIS

SYNTHESIS

DESIGN PROBLEM

ARCH. CONCEPT
5 types of concepts
ANALOGIES
- Looking at other things

The Beehive
(office building),
California,
Eric Owen Moss
 ANALOGIES
- Looking at other things

The Mercato Mall,

Dubai,
DP Architects Pte, Ltd.
METAPHORS
- Looking at abstractions

“Architecture
is frozen
music.”

Kyoto Concert
Hall, Kyoto,
Arata Isozaki
METAPHORS
- Looking at abstractions
London Aquatic Center,
London
Zaha Hadid
ESSENCES
- terse statements, symbols

Vanna Venturi house,

Philadelphia
Robert Venturi
ESSENCES
- terse statements, symbols

Reichstag Dome, Berlin

Sir Norman Foster
DIRECT RESPONSES
- solving
pragmatic issues

Flatiron Building,
New York City,
Daniel Burnham
DIRECT RESPONSES
- solving pragmatic issues

POST AND LINTEL

 IDEALS
- highest aspirations, values

Canterbury Cathedral
IDEALS
- highest aspirations, values

Malacañang
Palace
End