THEORY OF

ARCHITECTU
RE
“7 WAYS TO PRODUCE
UNITY AND HEIRARCHY IN
HOUSES”

BRUCE WAYNE C. MENESES

ARC 11
 ARCH. JAMES TEPACE – UAP.

The principle of Unity and Hierarchy handles visual composition in design.

Composition is defined as the relationship between the visual elements. The brick
work, wood and concrete which is used as building materials for protection from
weather or for structural support from the visual composition of architectural
composition. To get a great composition and form, the elements should be chosen
carefully.
Unity and Hierarchy therefore deals with the arrangement of building materials and
building parts (floor, wall, roof, column, beam, etc) to create good and decent
composition.

7 key Elements of Unity and Hierarchy:

1. Color
2. Proportion
3. Direction
4. Tone
5. Form and Shape
6. Solid and Void
7. Texture

Consider materials such as stone, glass and steel. They are available in a variety of
colors, tones, textures, shapes, proportions, etc. Various compositions of these
material properties are possible-the challenge lies in arising at the most pleasing
composition. The texture or color of a single brick or wood panel will differ in effect
when it forms a part of the larger composition such as brick wall or a door frame
set in a wall.

1.

Color
Here color refers to hue (color range). Color is one of the pronounced elements of
aesthetics and its selection is very crucial to the overall effect it has on aesthetics. A variety
of effects can be produced by varying luminescent, fullness and its transparency.

2. Proportion
 Proportion is the geometric relationship of the sides of volumes (triangles, squares,
circle, rectangles, etc.). It is also the ratio and comparative size of individual parts of the
composition.

3. Direction
Every building has elements which suggest direction. In most buildings, these are
strong elements that suggest vertical and horizontal direction. The total shape of the building,
or parts of the building or its structural components (beam, column, wall, ceiling etc) its
windows and other openings all suggest the direction.

This example shows part of the house is

moving to a straight direction.
 In this example it shows the roof of the
house is in an arc form, and it is pointing
downward

4. Tone
Tone is related to the color theory and varies from the neutral scale of white to black
through a range of grays. This plays an important role in drawings used to represent buildings.

This example shows the gray tone, which is near

the lowest shade.

5. Symmetry
 The equality between solid (walls, roofs, windows, doors, etc.) structural units is
very important to form a good composition. With symmetry there is also harmony and balance
in the design

6. Form and Shape

Form and shape can be clearly observed in the overall arrangement of a building or in
parts of a building (windows, doors etc) which have geometric shapes. Repetition or variation
of a particular form can provide strong elements of composition.

A curved design can be seen in this

example. The design makes it unique.
 This house thou shows a very futuristic
look, the sharp edges and unique shape make
it very extraordinary.

7. Texture
The word texture generally refers to the appearance and feel of a surface. However, it
could also mean the physical composition or structure of something, especially with respect
to its size, shape and arrangement of its parts.

This house shows a brick-like

texture, making it look very rigid.
In this house however, you can see a
very bizarre and unique design, the
wall are like wooden planks all have
spaces between them.

ALL REFERENCES ARE TAKE FROM www.google.com