ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

THEORY
SEMESTER I
LECTURE I

Contents of this lecture

Introduction to the course
Contents of the course
Intention of the course
Scope of the course

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Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

Before we start on the course it would be

worthwhile to appreciate the meanings of
the words that make up the title of the
course.

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Architecture
Architecture can be seen as the Art, Science
and Philosophy of organizing spaces for
different human activities.

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The range of spaces to be organized could

be from the space in the drawer of a table to
the spaces in the buildings to the spaces in
a city.
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Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

Some examples of architecture

Hotel Interior

An Airport

A religious building

A quiet city street

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Design
The word design has numerous connotations.
Design as a noun is described in the dictionary as:
1 A plan or drawing produced to show the
appearance and working of something before it
is made
2 The action of producing such a plan or a
drawing
3 A decorative pattern
4 Underlying purpose or planning
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Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

As a verb it is described as
1 Produce a design for
2 Plan or intend for a purpose
The various phrases related to design are:
1 By design: on purpose
2 Have designs on: aim to obtain

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Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

The synonyms of the word design are:

1 Blueprint, conception, draft, drawing,
model, pattern, plan, proposal, prototype,
sketch
2 Mark, style, type, version
3 Arrangement, composition, configuration,
form, pattern, shape
4 Aim, end, goal, intention, purpose
scheme

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Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

The synonym of the word designer are:

Architect, artist, author, creator, deviser,
inventor, originator

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 ANYTHING THAT IS MAN MADE IS

DESIGNED.
DESIGN IS THUS AN EVERYDAY
ACTIVITY WE DESIGN OUR DAY, OUR
ATTIRE, OUR MENU ETC.

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Here are some examples that hint at the

range of design applications

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Textile

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Graphics

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Sculpture

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Dress

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Fashion

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Furniture

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Food
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Product Design
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Building
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Building

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Landscape
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Cities
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Theory
Theory, the dictionary defines, is a,
supposition or system of ideas explaining
something especially one based on general
principles independent of the facts,
phenomena etc., to be explained
Speculative view
The sphere of abstract knowledge
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 Exposition of the principles of science etc.

Collection of propositions to illustrate
principles of a subject

Synonyms of Theory: Assumption,

conjecture, guess, hypothesis,
presumption, speculation, supposition,
surmise, thesis, philosophy, plan,
proposal, scheme, system.
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Contents of the course

This course will focus on BASIC DESIGN
Design theory of Architecture will be
covered in the later semesters.
The contents of the course will comprise:
Elements of Design
Principles of Design
Objectives of Design
Composition Typologies
Morphology
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Intention of the Course

To introduce Art and Design.
To augment the already acquired straight
line thinking involved in sciences with the
multi-faceted thinking required for creative
pursuits.
To initiate the theoretical thinking behind
design.
To create a foundation for the
understanding of architectural design.
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 The study of this course will help in the

building up of the idea and creativity
component of designing.
The skill or technology component of
Architectural Design will be covered by
subjects like drawing, structure, services,
management etc. covered elsewhere in
the B. Architecture programme.

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The End
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