PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION

Organizing principles bring about a pattern of arrangement of different elements. The

pattern of arrangement may be linear, radial, symmetrical or asymmetrical, concentric etc

about any reference points. But these do not translate into any meaning or establish a
relationship with the elements.

To establish connectivity between the elements, they have to be composed.

Composition means the relationship between the visual elements. It also means a unified
effort resulting in realizing an objective the discipline resulting in clarity.

Colour, texture of material used, openings like doors, windows, shape or geometry of

the form, beams, columns, walls, ceiling etc are the visual elements and form a part of
visual composition in any building.

RHYTHM / REPETITION

GRADATION / HIERARCHY

CONTRAST

RESTRAINT / REPOSE

DEFINITION / STRENGTH

ACCENTUATION

BALANCE / HARMONY

VITALITY / DYNAMISM

SCALE

PROPORTION

UNITY / DUALITY

RHYTHM
Rhythm refers to any movement characterized by a recurrence of elements or motifs,
at least three times at regular or irregular intervals to establish a recognizable pattern.
The movement may be of our eyes as we follow recurring elements in a composition
or of our bodies as we advance through a series of spaces. Rhythm in architecture
may be a harmonious sequence or pattern of masses alternating with voids, of light
alternating with shade, of alternating colours, etc.;
Simple examples of rhythm are the alternating window and column arrangement of
most buildings. Rhythm can be characterized by:

A measured flow of elements determined by various relations of long and short

spacing or accented and unaccented parts.

Movement with a regular succession of strong and weak elements.

Major functions of rhythm are :

o To stress the element or nature of function
o To give a notion of strength

Rhythmic patterns provide continuity and lead us to anticipate what come next.
Any break in the pattern announces and emphasizes the importance of the
interrupting element or interval.

The presence of rhythm creates predictability and order in a composition.

Rhythm can be achieved by:

Rhythmic arrangement of visual elements such as lines/ shapes/ colours/ texture/

pattern, etc.;

Rhythmic arrangement of masses and voids

Rhythmic arrangement of shadow and light

Rhythmic arrangement of structural patterns

Rhythmic arrangement of sequential spaces

More complex rhythms make use of two or more intersecting or overlaid rhythms. This is
seen frequently in classical architecture, where a series of columns and openings are
overlaid on top of a series of smaller openings.

REPETITION
The act or an instance of recurrence of identical elements is repetition in architecture.
The act of doing over and over again is repetition.

Recurrence of element in plan/ form several times. Repetition is usually boring,

tiresome and monotonous.

Repetition need not happen in any orderly manner. All rhythmic patterns are
repetitive but all repetitive patterns may or may not be rhythmic.

Repetition of a certain element or motif may lead to a pattern.

The simplest form of repetition is a linear pattern.

Repetition may be of any of the following types:

Repetition of shape/ form

Repetition of space
Repetition of color/ texture/ pattern
Repetition of structure

The above may be independent of one another or may be interdependent.

HIERARCHY:

Hierarchy is a change in order of importance. A system in which

grades of importance or significance are ranked one above the
other. There is an established order of emphasis.

Hierarchy brings clarity to design and establishes an effective

relationship between various types of elements. It helps to organize
a system and clearly defines the role of every element in the
composition.

For a form or space to be articulated as being important or

significant to an organization. It must be made
uniquely visible.

Hierarchy can be parallel or pyramidal in nature.

This visual emphasis can be achieved by:

1. Exceptional size
A form or a space can be made dominant in
any composition by being significantly
different in size from all other elements in
the composition.

2. A unique shape: A form or space can be made

visually dominant and thus important by clearly
differentiating its shape from that of other elements in
the composition.
3. A strategic location: Hierarchically important
locations for a form or space may include:

Hierarchy by size

The termination or a linear sequence or axial organization Hierarchy by shape

The centerpiece of a symmetrical organization

The focus of a centralized or radial organization

Being offset, below or foreground of a composition

Hierarchy by placement

4. Treatment: A form or space can be treated or the surface treatment can be

made stressed by using different colours, surface articulation in terms of
texture etc.
Ex: Plan of a church, development of Orissan temple

GRADATION: The means gradual change or stage in the process of change.

Here there is no particular emphasis and there is no order of importance.
Ex: Slope of a ramp, lean-to sloping roof, inclined / slant wall or column,
landscape mounds, etc.