INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN : VISUAL ASPECT

Quite often the students of Architecture get confused during the first few years of their studies in the University. The confusion arises due to a number of genuine reasons. Unlike the jobs of a Chemical or Computer Engineer, the works of an architect is openly seen, understood, appreciated or criticised by the common people. The architects create something which is used by all. Naturally the students of Architecture know or believe that they know about the works of the Architect. But then they discover that the knowledge they are taught or the problems they are assigned during the first few years do not have any resemblance with the works of an architect.

In doing architectural design the architect needs to know and apply the knowledge of a lot of subjects in order to take care of the various aspects of the builtform. Prominent among these aspects are: Visual, Functional, Climatic, Acoustics, Tactile, Olfactory, Cultural, Psychological, Social, Material-related, Structural, Economic, Constructional etc. Of all these, the visual aspect is the first and foremost aspect to learn. The principles of creation of visual beauty have been devised mostly by the artists. In the universities, the teachers of architecture also use those, even though in the contemporary age, the job of the architect is in no way comparable with those of the Artists. In Artists’ creation and evaluation what matters most is emotion and not logic. On the other hand the Architect’s design must have logical basis, because design is only a part of their job. The job in its entirety depends upon materialization through construction. This reality demands that the principles for creation of beauty followed by the Architects should be different more of logic-based, and not emotion. For the students of Architecture, Composition is the mother subject of creation of beauty. In this book endeavour has been done to present Composition more of a logic-based subject.

If the Architects’ works are taken to be the light-house to which the students shall proceed, alike the rowing of the boat Composition is the most essential skill to acquire. Some of the thoughts presented in this book are entirely my own and the responsibilities go only to me.

Architecture is a creative subject. No creative subject can in fact be taught to the students. They can only be taught the methods and skills for such creation. The sole purpose for which I have written this book is to make the ‘first learning experience’ of the students of Architecture enjoyable and pleasant. If the students find it helpful, I shall consider my pains worthwhile.