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
Unity, Rhythm, Balance
Justification: The opening of the
arch are equal so that would be
balance. There are repeated
uses of line & shape for rhythm.
For unity there is a consisted use
of lines, material, and texture.

Element of Design
Vertical, Texture, Space, Form,
Curved
Justification: The columns are
vertical. The texture appears to
be rough. The structure takes up
space & has a 3D shape. Then
the shape has several arches for
curved lines.

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2. Principle of Design
Balance, Emphasis
Justification: The building is
symmetrical, & the dome creates
a radial balance. The dome is
also a focus point of the building

Element of Design
Vertical, Form, Space, Color
Justification: The columns go up
and down. The building is three
dimensional and takes ups
space. Shadows prove that the
building takes up space. The
building has all the same color.
3. Principle of Design
Proportion, Contrast
Justification: Due to the
closeness of the two buildings
the proportion of each is more
apparent. Against the brown of
the shorter building the white
pops.

Element of Design
Line, Color, Form, Space
Justification: There are vertical
and horizontal lines throughout
the building. There is an effect
on the design due to its contrast.
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Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 3

The shape of the building is three

dimensional, & also takes up
space.

Istockphoto.com
4.
Principle of Design

Rhythm, movement
Justification: The windows on the
building makes a random
rhythmic design. Due to its odd
shape, when hit with sunlight its
movement on the windows it
makes it glide and sparkle.

City Hall and London Bridge

Element of Design
Curves, Form, Space
Justification: The dome design is
rounded and takes up space.
The object is three dimensional.

5. Principle of Design
Balance, proportion, emphasis

Justification: Due to the dome

there is a radial balance. The
people in the painting show
proportion though we cannot tell
if they are in or out of proportion.
How the painting is painted
emphasizes the middle person in
the painting.

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Element of Design
Shape, Color, Value
Justification: Shape because the
painting is two dimensional.
Color because the painting
contains color. Value because of
the shadows within the painting.

6. Principle of Design
Balance, unity, rhythm
Justification:
Rhythm because the floors are the
same shape. Unity of constant use
of color. Balance because the floors
are equally spaced.

Istockphoto.com

Element of Design
Line, color and forms
Justification:
Line because of equal and constant
throughout the building.

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7. Principle of Design
Form, space, line
Justification: Form and space
because it is a three dimensional shape
and takes up room. Line because of the
arch lines for doorways.
Istockphoto.com

Element of Design
Color, Space
Justification: The building
contains multiple colors & takes
up space.
8. Principle of Design
Rhythm
Justification: The arches
repeated the same design over &
over, justifying rhythm.
Microsoft Office clipart

Roman aqueduct

Element of Design
Vertical Lines, Texture, Form
Justification: Vertical lines are
used to hold the aqueduct
upright. The aqueduct looks as if
its made of brick as its texture.
Then the aqueduct Is a 3D
shape.
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9. Principle of Design
Balance, Emphasis, Unity
Justification: Balance because
the columns are all centered
around the middle section. The
columns being centered, cause
an emphasis to be made on the
middle. Unity because of the
similar colors used in the
building.
Element of Design
Vertical Lines, Texture
Justification: The columns create
a vertical line within the building.
The columns look as if their
texture is made of marble.

10. Principle of Design

Rhythm, Unity, Balance
Justification: Rhythm because of
the repeating designs for the
houses. Unity because the
colors all complement each other.
Balance because all of the
windows, Doors, and houses are
similar sizes.
Element of Design
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Color, Form, Value

Justification: Color because of
the colored houses. Form
because the buildings all are 3-D.
Value because of the change in
the shades of the building.

Conclusion
1. In what way do certain elements or principles identify the time period in which a
structure was created?

2. What factors might account for an incorrect identification?

3. Describe an example of a way that design principles and elements could impact
the function of a building.

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