ARCHITECTURAL

DESIGN THEORY I

ARCHITECTURAL SCALE
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Meaning of scale:
An object by which an
unknown quantity is
equated to a known
quantity.
The foot rule that is used for
drawing is also a scale. It
helps in drawing lines of
specific known lengths.
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This is a scaled
drawing.
The ‘scale’ used here
is not architectural
scale – it is a drawing
scale.
Scale is thus also
proportions; when a
drawing scale
represents say 100
cms by 1 cm.
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 Architecture as we
are aware is related
to Man and Space
and is manifest in
the built
environment that
has the tangible
form of materials,
dimensions and
proportions.
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 Architectural Scale is thus the means by which space,

materials, sizes and proportions are made to suit
Man.
 Scale in architecture can also be seen as a measure
of the relative size of a building or building
component in relation to a known unit of measure or
customary size for such a component. A person
evaluates how large a building or building component
is in relation to the human body size and his or her
memory of the expected size for such a component.
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Need for study :

It is important to appreciate architectural
scale to create functional and beautiful
architecture. It is also essential to make
the architecture acceptable to the users
as properly scaled elements will meet the
expectations of the users.
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 Our most universal standard of measurement is the human
body; that is, our experience of living in our own bodies.
 We judge the appropriateness of size of objects by that
measure.
 Architectural spaces intended to impress are usually scaled to a
size that dwarfs the human viewer. This is a device often used
in public spaces, such as churches or centers of government.
 The same principle is often applied to corporate spaces through
which the enterprise wishes to impress customers with its
power and invincibility.
 In contrast, the proportions of a private home are usually more
in scale with human measure, and as a result it appears more
friendly, comfortable, less intimidating.
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 Note how aesthetics

is introduced by the
proportions of
different elements

This is one aspect of

architectural scale
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Aspects of architectural scale:

Physical, Proportional and Human.
These classifications are not water tight
and
will be seen in all designs in some way or
the other.
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 Physical scale deals with the use of materials.

 Materials have an associational connotation of
strength so it is difficult to imagine an airport
hangar covered with thatch as thatch is
associated with only small huts.
 However, modern technology has changed
some associations as huge buildings appear
to have been made in glass (of course these
have steel or concrete structures!)
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 Use of materials
effects the
architectural scale
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 Proportional scale can be experienced in 2-D and 3-D

 When the length and width of a room are incorrectly
proportioned then the space can be called out of
scale.
 When a window is too large or two small for a wall it
is not to scale.
 When the toilet is equal to the bedroom it is out of
scale.
 When the height of a room is too much it is out of
scale.
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 Human scale is related to the human

dimensions. If the door is too high or
the seat of the chair too small it is out
of scale. When the human being feels
‘comfortable’ about any architecture it is
to scale.
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 Scale in use of
dimensions:
 Many thinkers since
Vitruvius and
Michelangelo to
Corbusier have
developed a series of
dimensions based on
the human body. These
dimensions when used
properly form the basis
of beauty.
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 Scale in spaces:
 From the smallest
space to urban
spaces scale has a
role to play.
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 Scale in objects and

spaces
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 Human being as a
unit of scaling
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 Recognizable
dimensions and
elements: steps,
door-windows,
lampposts
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 Normal and
monumental scale
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 d
Some more examples of human
and monumental scale
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 Scale in interiors
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 Scale in public buildings

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 Scale in urban
situations
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 For the correctness of architectural scale, the

human eye and the human perceptions are
the final judge.
 Physically, however, the appropriate and
truthful deployment of material, the use of
good proportions of all parts to each other
and to the whole and correct use of
anthropometrics will produce good
architectural scale.
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 Comment on the
scale perceived
through these
visuals:
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Conclusions
 Architectural scale is an abstraction
based on expression of form.
 It is used to introduce a sense of
proportions based on the human body
and expectations in normal situations
and exceeds this in monumental
situations.