Activity 1.1.

2 Design Principles and Elements

Introduction
Have you ever noticed how buildings of similar size and
shape can have completely different visual effects?
Architects, like artists, must understand the elements
and principles of design and how they affect the visual
impact of the building on a viewer. Whether it is the
intent of the architect to create a feeling of strength and
stability or to create an unusual form that will elicit a
double-take from the public, the elements and principles
of design can be used to manipulate the intellectual and
emotional reactions of the people who see and use the
building.

Equipment

Principles and Elements of Design Applied to

Architecture presentation notes

Procedure
In this activity you will identify design elements and principles as they pertain to
images of structures.
For each of the following, choose one element of design and one principle of design
that you feel is most prominent in the image and then justify your choice.

Word Bank
Balance
Color
Emphasis

Form
Line
Proportion/Scale

Rhythm
Shape
Space

Texture
Unity
Value

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Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 1

1. Principle of Design
Proportion/scale
Justification:
Its on a small scale and perfect for
small familys

Element of Design
Texture
Justification:
It has a unique look and feel to it

2. Principle of Design
unity
Justification:
Everything is together

Element of Design
Texture
Justification:
Has a different look to it

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3. Principle of Design
unity
Justification:
Everything is a tight fit together

Element of Design
Contrast
Justification:
A cool look to it and different

Istockphoto.com
4.
Principle of Design

balance
Justification:
The way the building is leaning

Element of Design
Form and shape

City Hall and London Bridge

Justification: has a different look

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to it

5. Principle of Design
shape
Justification:
It a cool circle like form to it

Element of Design
color
Justification:
Has a lot of different colors to make
the picture

6. Principle of Design
value
Justification:
Has a different vibe to it and
probably a good place to live

Element of Design
space
Istockphoto.com

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Justification:
Looks like theres not a lot of space
in the building

7. Principle of Design
Rhythm
Justification: the colors make a
cool pattern
Istockphoto.com

Element of Design
value
Justification:
Looks like a very expensive so the
value is high

8. Principle of Design
Rhythm
Justification: has a pattern in the
bricks

Microsoft Office clipart

Element of Design

Roman aqueduct

line

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Justification:
The columns provide a sense of
strength and stability through vertical
lines.

9. Principle of Design
emphases
Justification:
Theres a big pop out to you in this
picture

Element of Design
space
Justification:
The inside of this structure is very
open and tall.

10. Principle of Design

Rhythm
Justification:
Theres a pattern going on here to
with the colors

Element of Design
_color
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Justification:
Lots of colors are being used to
make the buildings stand out

Conclusion
1. In what way do certain elements or principles identify the time period in which a
structure was created?
Certain elements and principles were more popular and more effective in different
time periods

2. What factors might account for an incorrect identification?

Different people may have different opinions on what the most prominent element
and principle fits in a structure.

3. Describe an example of a way that design principles and elements could impact
the function of a building.
If you, as an architect hypothetically, are designing a structure for a strong
powerful corporation, you will want to design a structure that is tall and appears
formidable which is why taller and taller skyscrapers make such a big impact on
big cities.

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