Style is an important concept in architecture and design, as it can help in the creation and identification of a number of different (but related) objects. Having an understanding of underlying elements of style and the rules and structures (grammars) that can govern these is important for designers.
In these activities you will explore various ways in which groups of designs can be considered as a style. You will also listen to and make notes from a short explanation in English about design grammars.
Activity 1: Defining style for design purposes
Design 'style' can be defined in many different ways. One dictionary definition of design style is: 'a particular kind, sort, or type, as with reference to form, appearance, or character'. In this activity you are going to examine some of the ways (i.e. similarities) in which a set of designs could be considered to represent a style.
Instruction
Examine each set of images, and select the term from the drop down list which best describes what makes each set of objects in the group, a style. Then read the feedback.
morphology
These images of different terraced homes are examples of morphology as a key component of design style. The first image is of terraced homes in Alamo Square, San Fransciso (source: wikipedia) The second image is of Park Crescent, London (source: wikipedia). The third is of Royal Terraces, Stonnington City (source: wikipedia).
A row of single family attached houses, all with individual entrances to the street. Internal configurations will often follow a specific morphology. They are usually built as repeated units, but occasionally appear as a homogeneous design.
colour and geometry
These images represent De Stijl style. The first image is Stained glass composition IV, van Doesburg (source: wikipedia). The second image is of Schröder house, Utrecht, Rietveld, taken in 1924 (source:wikipedia).
This style is pure abstraction and universality by a reduction to the essentials of form and colour; they simplified visual compositions to the vertical and horizontal directions, and used a reduced palette, typically primary colours along with black and white.
material and form
These two images both represent the style of 20th Century Brutalism in which material and form are central stylistic components. The first is an image of Habitat 67 in Montreal (source: wikipedia); the second is an image of the South Bank Centre, London (source: wikipedia).
This style is typically very linear, fortress-like and blockish, often with a predominance of concrete construction.
decoration
These images of Roccoco style highlight decoration as the essential component in defining this style. Rococo (/rəˈkoʊkoʊ/ or /roʊkəˈkoʊ/), less commonly roccoco, also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century artistic movement and style, which affected several aspects of the arts including painting, sculpture, architecture, interior design, decoration, literature, music and theatre. The Rococo developed in the early part of the 18th century in Paris, France as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry and strict regulations of the Baroque, especially that of the Palace of Versailles. In such a way, Rococo artists opted for a more jocular, florid and graceful approach to Baroque art and architecture. Rococo art and architecture in such a way was ornate and made strong usage of creamy, pastel-like colours, asymmetrical designs, curves and gold. Unlike the more politically focused Baroque, the Rococo had more playful and often witty artistic themes. With regards to interior decoration, Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings. Source: Wikipedia (2012)
form
These images of Cadillac tail fins show how the specific geometry of the tail fin changed over many decades but its 'form' still remains recognisable in the brand.
Activity 2: Understanding the grammar of design
In this activity you are going to listen to Professor Scott Chase of the University of Aalborg, Denmark. Professor Chase is an expert in digital design and he explains the concept of 'design grammars'. You will also practise your note-taking skills.
Instruction
Listen to Professor Chase explaining design grammars. As you listen make notes on what he says and use your notes to answer the questions which follow. Then read the feedback.
1. According to Professor Chase, what is a design grammar?
A design grammar is a set of rules for the creation of designs. These are also referred to as 'shape grammars'.
2. What form can the 'rules' for design take?
Design rules can typically be in the form of drawings or visual compositions.
3. What particular benefit derives from having a design grammar?
Like a linguistic grammar, the rules can be used to 'parse designs'; in other words, to understand how designs are constructed.
4. In what sense can we understand 'style' from Professor Chase's explanation?
Style can be understood to be reflected in a shared set of rules by certain designs. The designs created from a single grammar can be considered stylistically similar.
5.What example does Professor Chase give of how design grammar can be a powerful tool for architects?
Professor Chase refers to grammars that have analysed particular works of architecture. The example he gives is of Palladian floor plans. The rules of the design grammar can generate the floor plans that Palladio designed, but can also generate new plans, that he never designed, but that represent the same style. Designers can also use grammars to create original designs of their own style.
You may wish to open and and refer to an English transcript of Professor Chase's explanation: Design grammars transcript (pdf, 52KB). You may wish to print this document.
Reference:
Wikipedia (2012) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rococo
