Form and massing are the primary elements of architecture; they are composition in three dimensions. Shape, size, and orientation all define the form and massing of a volume. The form can be simple, as a cube (Patriots Peace Memorial, above), or complex. It can be additive or subtractive, regular or irregular, stable or dynamic, centralized, linear, or radial, unique or repetitive, formal or informal. As in all of architecture, the form and massing should represent the values of the people the building represents.
Design Elements
Form/Massing
Simple forms have power
The Parthenon, the pyramids of Giza, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial. Simple forms are powerful and convey a clear meaning. If a child can look at a building and draw its form, then the form is clear and concise. Complexity and disorder have value as well, but simple forms speak the most directly. The Quillin Residence.
Additive forms keep the parts at a humane scale
Building a form out of smaller parts help reduce the scale to a humane and relatable level. The South Point Residence 1.
"Architecture is frozen music"
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©2016 DAVID D QUILLIN ARCHITECTURE
