Ch. 2: La FORME

    Les PRIMARY SOLIDS:

Primary solids can be defined as a three-dimensional version of primary forms. By adding depth, height and width to a triangle, a circle or a square you obtain these solids. They include spheres, cylinders, cones, pyramids and cubes.  They are the most basic kind of shapes but also the most important, especially when it comes to the building arts.

These towers located in Kuwait city are an excellent example of sphere used in architectural design. Using this kind of structure is an ingenious way to create spacious areas with an interesting and original aesthetic. 

    

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    La DIMENSIONAL TRANSFORMATION:
A dimensional transformation is the process of taking a solid (cube, sphere, etc) and modifying its dimensions to create a new solid that belongs to the same ‘family’ without being a primary solid.  These transformations can consist in changing the width, height, angle or depth of the solid. For example, by stretching out a sphere we obtain an oval.

Like shown in the example below, dimensional transformation can is often used in design to create very unusual structures. Here, the distortion given to this arched shaped building gives the impression that it is collapsing.

        

    

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    Les SUBTRACTIVE FORMES:

Another kind of form transformation is the process of subtracting. Subtracted forms look like as if a chunk of their volume has been taken out. It then creates interesting forms in the negative space.

In design, the subtractive technique is usually applied to create openings such as windows or balcony. In the example below, we have a cubic subtracted form that becomes some kind of entry porch to this house.

    

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    Les ADDITIVE FORMES:

Additive transformations are simply the opposite of subtractive transformations – instead of removing a chunk, we add one! There are many possibilities for adding forms together. We can group them by interlocking them together, by placing them face-to-face or edge-to-edge, etc. Various kinds of forms are created from this process: linear forms, radial forms, clustered forms or grid forms.

The additive process is often used in design to create additional spaces to interiors or structures. In the example below, a room has been added to this house by grouping another cube to its facade.

    

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    La FORMAL COLLISION of GEOMETRY:
Collision of geometry is created when two forms differing in geometry collide to create a new entity. A circle in a square is a process of geometric collision. It also concerns two forms of different orientation bound together – for example, two squares interlocking each other, but one angled to a diamond shape. The relation between the two varies in shape but also in size or placement.
In this contemporary form of architecture, we can clearly see a circular window placed in a cubic structure. This process creates originality and playfulness to the visual.