What Makes a great facade - 5 Design Principles architects follow
Architecture is thought of as this creative field where architects get inspiration from a secret universe and freely design whatever comes to mind. However, even the most creative architects still follow design rules and guidelines to get the most functional, visually appealing buildings.
Below are five design principles most designers follow to maintain a certain balance and order while designing a facade. You can also watch my youtube video about design principles here.
Hierarchy: When you look at a facade, ask yourself, What's the first thing my eye is drawn to? There should be a specific element that has greater importance visually or functionally. It should tell the eye, hey, look at me first, I'm the main guy here; everything else is secondary. Hierarchy can be achieved by playing with different proportions, shapes, materiality, etc.
Contrast: By using contrast, you break the monotony and introduce elements that contradict each other but bring some visual stimulation. Is the facade too flat? If that is the case, can we introduce some masses that are pushed back or pulled forward? If the house is very long and horizontal, can we introduce some vertical elements to break that?
Symmetry: The eye craves balance, but it doesn't mean one side of the facade should be identical to the other in the architectural context. But they should somehow complement one another. Like this example, it's not symmetrical in the sense we know it.
Visual Rhythm / Movement: Repetitive elements can guide the eye through the design. Too much of it can be overkill, but just the right amount can be aesthetically pleasing. Rhythm can also highlight certain features in the design, arches, windows, slats, etc.
Negative space: Negative space is a counterintuitive concept because negative space is the lack of something, but you're allowing something else to get all the attention.
Design and architecture are constantly evolving, but I can confidently say that these principles have been around for centuries, and architects will continue to use them in our everyday design.
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