Analyzing Architecture through Diagrams

A building or space can be analyzed on many levels. typically, the analysis is represented through diagrams. The content on this page explains and illustrates some of the means of analyzing architecture. They are divided into categories.

A. Spatial Zones:

A.1. Circulation Space (Ambulatory) vs. Programmed Space (Dwelling)

A.2. Servant vs. Served Space

A.3. Personal, social and public

B. Systems:

B.1. Circulation

In the plan below a bold line and arrow illustrate the entry pathway. 

The image below shows circulation paths within an existing building.

The diagram below illustrates the circulation path in 3D. The lineweights of the building are ghosted and the circulation path is bolded to make the diagram more clear. 

The diagram below show paths on different levels of a building.

The diagram below shows accessible paths through a park.

B.2. Structural

In the plan diagrams below columns are represented with dots and bearing walls are represented with lines. Hidden lines indicates a beam above.

B.3. Ordering System: Grid

Often a grid is used to arrange and order space. With this type of diagram the grid is overlaid upon the plan.

B.4. Proportioning Systems

B.5. Geometry

Geometry diagrams illustrate the relationship of the underlying geometric order. Unlike a floor plan (as shown below), a geometric diagram does not show wall thicknesses nor does it show minor details. An example of a geometric diagram is below the plan.

C. Formal and Spatial Relationships:

C.1. Alignment

C.2. Axiality

Axiality has to do with the path where openings line up along a straight line. It may seem to be the same as symmetry, but an axis does not need to run through the middle of spaces. The horizontal axis shown above, for example, is not in the center of the rooms.

C.3. Boundary

The diagram below shows the Renaissance walls that surround the town of Urbino, Italy. By not showing all of the buildings inside we clearly see the boundary. Boundaries can be both man-made and natural elements. 

C.4. Hierarchy

C.5. Position

C.6. Scale

C.7. Solid to void/Figure-Ground

The relationship of solid to void is the relationship of  masses to open spaces. Solid void diagrams can be shown as three-dimensional drawings or as physical models as shown below.

The concept is illustrated as a figure-ground diagram in two-dimensional representations. A floor plan and figure-ground diagram is shown below. The dark areas represent areas of the plan that are more enclosed. The area between the two dark areas is spatially more open. The light squares and rectangles inside the dark areas represent skylights.

In the plan below the buildings of Urbino, Italy are filled with tone, and the streets and public spaces are left white. Important places are noted as well. 

C.8. Symmetry

In the plan diagram below lines have been drawn that indicate mirror lines. The plan is identical if folded along those lines. This plan is bilaterally symmetrical along the compass axes as well as along the diagonals. It is also radially symmetrical about the center. The diagram for this could be simplified with single lines indicating the shapes of each room.

The following is from Clark, Roger H., and Michael Pause. Precedents in Architecture. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1985. pages, 251-2. 

D. Configuration/Parti/Concept: 

The overall configuration or organization of the project is sometimes referred to as its parti or a concept. Some designers refer to the parti or concept as, "the big idea."

A plan and parti diagram are shown below. The parti is a simplified version of the plan, and it describes the overall configuration or organization of the building. The diagram shows a series of detached bars with toned areas representing courtyards. A verbal description of the parti could be, "Shifted bars punctuated by open courtyards."

Generally, we assoicate the term 'parti' with a plan diagram, but a concept can also be shown as a section diagram. Below is the section/elevation followed by the sectional concept diagram. The house sits on a hill. An bridge connects the hill to the entry. This house also has a plan parti which is shown below the section concept diagram.

E. Perceptual Conditions

E.1. Enclosure and volume definition

E.2. Light interaction

The diagram below illustrates how light enters some of Louis Kahn's buildings.

Tone indicates interior space. An arrow represents the direction and angle of the sun through glass.

E.3. Sequence

E.4. Surface characteristics (color, texture, etc.)

E.5. View framing

F. Tectonics

Tectonics are basically, the means and manner of assembly of building components. 

Examples: Assembly Drawings

G. Details

Details can be more tectonic like the one below and to the right. They can also be used to study the proportions or arrangement of a fragment.

References:

Clark, Roger H., and Michael Pause. Precedents in Architecture: Analytic Diagrams, Formative Ideas, and Partis. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 

Crowe, Norman, and Paul Laseau. Visual Notes for Architects and Designers. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984.

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