Relation of Form to Structure

FORM the shape and structure of something as

distinguished from its material and substance
Basic Forms

Cube (from square)

Architecture_Design_pt.7_Skidmore_Owings_and_Merrill.flv

Sphere (from circle)

Architecture_Design_pt._13_Santiago_Calatrava.flv

Architecture_Design_pt._9_Renzo_Piano.flv

Cylinder (from circle)

Architecture_Design_pt._10_Jean_Nouvel.flv

Cone (from triangle)

Pyramid (from triangle)

STRUCTURE a stable assembly of structural elements

designed and constructed to function as a whole in
supporting and transmitting applied loads safely to the
ground without exceeding the allowable stresses in the
members
Fundamental Structural Systems

Lintel

Corbel

Arch

Cohesive

Truss
Types of structures (according to behavior under the action
of an applied load or changing load}

Rigid
Of or pertaining to a structure or structural member having a
shape that does not change appreciably under the action of
an applied load or changing loads
Bulk-active structure
a structure or structural member that redirects external
forces primarily through the bulk and continuity of its
material, as a beam or column

Vector-active
a structure or structural member that redirects external
forces primarily through the composition of tension and
compression members, as a truss

Surface-active
a structure or structural member that redirects external
forces primarily along the continuity of a surface, as a plate
or shell

Flexible
Of or pertaining to a structure or structural member
characterized by a lack of stiffness and having a shape that
responds to changes in loading
Form-active structure
a structure or structural member that redirects external
forces primarily through the form of its material, as an arch
or cable

The Importance of Structural Thinking?

The need to provide buildings with mechanical and
other environmental subsystems that support the horizontal

and vertical movement of men and materials as well as

provide for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, power,
water, waste disposal, acoustical and lighting needs
A. Provisions for heating, ventilation, AC, power, water and
waste services can be visualized in a tree diagram
B. Acoustics influenced by structural shape; when a
structure is flexible, vibrations are transmitted
: dome roofs concentrate
: dish roof disburses
C. Artificial and natural light
: good interface minimizes structural interface
: poor interface maximizes structural interface
: natural light and structure interact at overall level
fully enclosed box represents simple
structural problem but provides no natural
light

 fully transparent roof provides natural light

but poses a complex structural problem

 bearing wall and shear wall design is

simple but admits little light

frame design is more complex but allows

up to 80% of the walls to be transparent for
light and view