Chapter VI

Proportion and Scale:

1-Golden Section:

It is used to create aesthetically pleasing structures based on mathematical proportions.
 The golden ratio describes a rectangle with a length roughly one and a half times its width.
On the example below, this Victorian residence is carefully proportioned according to squares and rectangles derived from the square.

Image: www.wheelerlibrary.org 

2- The orders:


They are a system of proportions used by the Greeks, and they represented beauty and harmony.The orders can be divided into pedestal, column, and entablature. The pedestal can be further divided into three parts, plinth, dado and cornice. The column, into base, shaft, and capital, and the entablature into architrave, frieze and cornice. On the example, the Kazan Cathedral, with a colonnade of 96 Corinthian columns arranged in four rows, forms an extended arc facing Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. Russia.

Image: www.Britannica.com

3-Renaissance Theories:


The architects from the renaissance relied on mathematics, and based on Pythagoras theories, they developed a progression of ratios in which they based their proportions.The Palazzo Ducale ,in  Venice Italy represents proportion and harmony, so it’s considered esthetically pleasing.

Image: www.terminators.com











4- Modulor:


It is a proportionate system developed by Le Corbusier, in which he combines mathematics and the human body proportions. His basic grid consists of three measures based on the golden section.
 Le Corbusier described the grid as a “range of harmonious measurements to suit the human scale, universally applicable to architecture and to mechanical things.” and  the drawings inspired by Le Corbusiers’ work, are a hybrid between something organic and something mechanical.

Image:

http://neineye.wordpress.com

/images/le-modulor/

5- Ken:


A Japanese unit of measure that became standardized for residential architecture, as well as an absolute measurement. In this library, the shelves become the grid, that organizes the structure and plays an important esthetic role highlighting the wood texture and creating a relaxing environment.

photograph from architect

Image: Musashino Art University

 Museum & Library

6- Antropomorphic:


It is the measurement of the size and proportions of the human body, seeking functional ratios. When we design, this becomes the basis for our furniture arrangement and for spatial purposes. On the example below, the chair is an artistic elaboration based on anthropometric considerations in order to enhance the space and quality of living, while creating a modern and stylish furniture piece.

Image: The spirit song Lounge chair













7-Scale:

Refers to the perception of the size of an object in relation to another object. So we always contrast two different objects in order to establish comparison parameters. In this case, it would be hard to determine the big scale of the building, if we didn’t have the car on the outside and the other buildings around it in order to establish a relation with a size that we are more familiar with.

 Image: The Holland Tunnel Land
 ventilation Building.