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Intro to Architecture Cheat Sheet (DRAFT) by

Intro to Architecture notes

This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.

Overview

Defini­tion:
Archit­ecture is the art and science of designing and constr­ucting buildings and other physical struct­ures. It encomp­asses the planning, design, and constr­uction processes, integr­ating functi­ona­lity, aesthe­tics, and sustai­nab­ility.
Scope:
Archit­ecture includes reside­ntial, commer­cial, indust­rial, and public buildings. It also extends to urban planning, landscape archit­ecture, and interior design.

Historical Develo­pment of Archit­ecture

Ancient Archit­ecture:
Egyptian Archit­ecture: Charac­terized by monumental structures such as pyramids, temples, and tombs, with an emphasis on durability and symbolic meaning.
 
Greek Archit­ecture: Noted for its develo­pment of classical orders (Doric, Ionic, Corint­hian), and influe­ntial buildings like the Parthenon.
 
Roman Archit­ecture: Introduced innova­tions such as the arch, vault, and concrete, seen in structures like the Colosseum and aqueducts.
Medieval Archit­ecture:
Romanesque Archit­ecture: Charac­terized by thick walls, round arches, and barrel vaults, often seen in churches and monast­eries.
 
Gothic Archit­ecture: Known for its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttre­sses, exempl­ified by cathedrals like Notre-Dame de Paris.
Renais­sance Archit­ecture:
Key Figures: Filippo Brunel­leschi, Leonardo da Vinci, Michel­angelo.
 
Charac­ter­istics: Emphasized symmetry, propor­tion, and the use of classical orders. Notable works include St. Peter's Basilica and the Florence Cathedral dome.
Modern Archit­ecture:
Early Modern: Influenced by indust­ria­liz­ation and new materials. Key figures include Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright (with his "­Prairie Style"), and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
 
Postmo­der­nism: Reacted against the simplicity of modernism, incorp­orating historical refere­nces, orname­nta­tion, and eclectic styles.
Contem­porary Archit­ecture:
Charac­ter­istics: Diverse and innovative approa­ches, often integr­ating new techno­logies, sustai­nable practices, and global influe­nces. Prominent figures include Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, and Norman Foster.

Fundam­ental Principles of Archit­ecture

Form and Function:
Defini­tion: The relati­onship between a building's design and its intended use. Good archit­ecture achieves a balance between aesthetic form and practical functi­ona­lity.
 
Concept: "Form follows functi­on" suggests that the shape of a building should be primarily based on its intended purpose.
Space and Scale:
Space: The use of interior and exterior spaces to create functional and aesthetic experi­ences. Important concepts include spatial flow, volume, and propor­tion.
 
Scale: Refers to the size of a building or structure in relation to human dimensions and surrou­nding enviro­nment.
Materials and Constr­uction:
Materials: The choice of materials affects a building's appear­ance, durabi­lity, and enviro­nmental impact. Common materials include wood, concrete, steel, glass, and masonry.
 
Constr­uction Methods: Tradit­ional methods (e.g., brickl­aying, timber framing) and modern techniques (e.g., prefab­ric­ation, 3D printing) influence design possib­ili­ties.
Aesthetics and Style:
Aesthe­tics: The visual and sensory qualities of a building, including propor­tion, color, texture, and harmony.
 
Styles: Various archit­ectural styles (e.g., Art Deco, Bauhaus, Decons­tru­cti­vism) reflect cultural, histor­ical, and techno­logical influe­nces.
 

Archit­ectural Design Process

Pre-Design Phase:
Client Consul­tation: Unders­tanding the client's needs, goals, and budget.
 
Site Analysis: Evaluating the site’s charac­ter­istics, including topogr­aphy, climate, and zoning regula­tions.
 
Progra­mming: Defining the spatial requir­ements and functions of the project.
Conceptual Design:
Design Develo­pment: Creating prelim­inary design concepts, including sketches, models, and design iterat­ions.
 
Site Planning: Arranging the building and its components within the site, consid­ering factors like orient­ation, views, and access.
Schematic Design:
Initial Drawings: Developing floor plans, elevat­ions, and sections to illustrate the overall design concept.
 
Feedback and Revisions: Incorp­orating client and stakeh­older feedback to refine the design.
Design Develo­pment:
Detailed Drawings: Producing detailed archit­ectural drawings, including materials, finishes, and constr­uction details.
 
Coordi­nation: Collab­orating with engineers, interior designers, and other specia­lists to integrate various systems.
Constr­uction Documents:
Final Plans: Creating compre­hensive drawings and specif­ica­tions required for constr­uction, including struct­ural, mechan­ical, and electrical details.
 
Bidding and Contracts: Preparing documents for contractor selection and establ­ishing contra­ctual agreem­ents.
Constr­uction Admini­str­ation:
Oversight: Monitoring constr­uction progress to ensure adherence to design specif­ica­tions and quality standards.
 
Inspec­tions: Conducting site visits to address issues and verify compliance with design and safety regula­tions.

Archit­ectural Theory and Criticism

Archit­ectural Theory:
Conceptual Framew­orks: Theore­tical approaches to unders­tanding and evaluating archit­ecture, including histor­ical, philos­oph­ical, and aesthetic perspe­ctives.
 
Key Theories: Modernism, Postmo­der­nism, and Critical Theory, each offering different lenses through which archit­ecture is analyzed and interp­reted.
Archit­ectural Criticism:
Defini­tion: The evaluation and analysis of archit­ectural works, focusing on their design, functi­ona­lity, and cultural impact.
 
Methods: Includes critical essays, reviews, and academic discus­sions, often addressing issues such as innova­tion, context, and user experi­ence.

Sustai­nable Archit­ecture

Defini­tion:
Archit­ecture that seeks to minimize enviro­nmental impact and promote sustai­nable living practices.
Princi­ples:
Energy Effici­ency: Designing buildings to reduce energy consum­ption through passive and active systems, such as insula­tion, renewable energy sources, and energy­-ef­ficient HVAC systems.
 
Material Selection: Using sustai­nable and locally sourced materials, reducing waste, and incorp­orating recycled or recyclable materials.
 
Water Conser­vation: Implem­enting systems for water recycling, rainwater harves­ting, and efficient fixtures to reduce water usage.
 
Indoor Enviro­nmental Quality: Enhancing occupant health and comfort through natural light, ventil­ation, and non-toxic materials.
Certif­ica­tions:
LEED (Leade­rship in Energy and Enviro­nmental Design): A widely recognized green building certif­ication system.
 
BREEAM (Building Research Establ­ishment Enviro­nmental Assessment Method): A sustai­nab­ility assessment method for master planning projects, infras­tru­cture, and buildings.
 

Urban Planning and Design

Defini­tion:
The process of designing and regulating the use of land and resources in urban areas to create functi­onal, sustai­nable, and aesthe­tically pleasing enviro­nments.
Compon­ents:
Land Use Planning: Allocating areas for reside­ntial, commer­cial, indust­rial, and recrea­tional purposes.
 
Transp­ort­ation Planning: Designing efficient transp­ort­ation systems, including roads, public transit, and pedestrian pathways.
 
Public Spaces: Creating and mainta­ining parks, plazas, and other communal areas that enhance quality of life.
Challe­nges:
Urban Sprawl: Managing uncont­rolled expansion of urban areas.
 
Sustai­nab­ility: Balancing develo­pment with enviro­nmental and social consid­era­tions.
 
Affordable Housing: Ensuring access to housing for diverse popula­tions.

Emerging Trends in Archit­ecture

Smart Buildings:
Defini­tion: Structures equipped with advanced technology to improve functi­ona­lity, effici­ency, and user experi­ence.
 
Features: Automated systems for lighting, climate control, security, and energy manage­ment.
Parametric Design:
Defini­tion: A design approach that uses algorithms and comput­ational tools to create complex and adaptable forms.
 
Applic­ations: Used for creating innovative archit­ectural shapes and optimizing building perfor­mance.
Biophilic Design:
Defini­tion: Integr­ating natural elements into archit­ectural design to enhance well-being and connection to nature.
 
Examples: Incorp­orating natural light, green walls, indoor gardens, and natural materials.
Adaptive Reuse:
Defini­tion: Repurp­osing existing buildings for new uses, preserving historical value while addressing contem­porary needs.
 
Benefits: Reduces waste, conserves resources, and maintains cultural heritage.

Conclusion

The study of archit­ecture is a multid­isc­ipl­inary field that integrates artistic vision, scientific princi­ples, and practical consid­era­tions to create functi­onal, aesthetic, and sustai­nable structures
From historical precedents to contem­porary innova­tions, archit­ecture contin­ually evolves, reflecting cultural values, techno­logical advanc­ements, and enviro­nmental challenges
Unders­tanding archit­ecture involves exploring its historical develo­pment, fundam­ental princi­ples, design processes, and emerging trends, providing a compre­hensive perspe­ctive on how the built enviro­nment shapes and is shaped by human experience