Theory of

Architecture
Fourth Stage
Architecture Engineering Department
  The word ‘theory’ derives from the Greek
‘theorein’, which means ‘to look at” as in terms
of ‘looking at’ a theatre stage, which may
explain why sometimes ‘theory’ is used as
something not completely resembling real.
 The verb theorize is "to perceive."
 an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles,
Theory or circumstances —often used in the phrase in
theory
 the general or abstract principles of a body of
fact, a science, or an art.
 the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to
one another
 Theorem (n.) https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theory
https://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2006/07/11/etymology-of-theory/
https://www.etymonline.com/word/theorem
 Architecture is both the process and the
product of planning, designing,
and constructing buildings or any
other structures. Architectural works, in
Architecture the material form of buildings, are often
perceived as cultural symbols and
as works of art. Historical civilizations are
often identified with their surviving
architectural achievements.
  Architecture is not a purely practical discipline.
Every design decision is a thought, something
that has to be decided, based on an array of
values and factors, that come from several
sources.
 Some of those factors can be easily decoded and
given an automatic, appropriate solution, like
for example, facts coming from the terrain such
Architecture as the sun position, which would dictate the best
orientation of your building.
 But some other factors and questions will
require you to take decisions based on much less
obvious grounds, or even very controversial
decisions. For example, making a new building
in a very old historic place, or having religious
issues involved in your project. The project will
get different opinions of criticism.
https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Theory_of_Architecture
  Architectural theory is the act of thinking,
discussing, and writing about architecture.
 "Practice and theory are its parents. Practice is the
frequent and continued contemplation of the mode
of executing any given work, or of the mere
operation of the hands, for the conversion of the
material in the best and readiest way. Theory is the
Architectural result of that reasoning which demonstrates and
explains that the material wrought has been so
Theory converted as to answer the end proposed. Wherefore
the mere practical architect is not able to assign
sufficient reasons for the forms he adopts; and the
theoretic architect also fails, grasping the shadow
instead of the substance. He who is theoretic as well
as practical, is therefore doubly armed; able not only
to prove the propriety of his design, but equally so to
carry it into execution.“ Vitruvius. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architectural_theory
 This is the person who is very active
in the field of Architecture criticism.
The Knowing about theorist and critics
Theorist and how they see architecture is a
key to building your own idea of
architecture.

https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Theory_of_Architecture
  The earliest surviving written work on the subject of
architecture is De architectura, by the Roman
architect Vitruvius in the early 1st century AD.
 According to Vitruvius, a good building should
satisfy the three principles of firmitas, utilitas,
venustas, commonly known by the original
The History of translation – firmness, commodity and delight. An
equivalent in modern English would be:
Architectural  Durability – a building should stand up strongly and
Theory remain in good condition.
 Utility – it should be suitable for the purposes for
which it is used.
 Beauty – it should be aesthetically pleasing.
Leon Battista Alberti, who elaborates on the ideas of
Vitruvius in his treatise, The Ten Books of Architecture
* Durability
* Utility
* Beauty
(Delight)
Brunelleschi, in
the building of
the dome
of Florence
Cathedral (Italy)
in the early 15th
century, not only
transformed the
building and the
city, but also the
role and status of
the architect.
 Criticism is the action of emitting a
judgement over someone's
work. Architecture criticism is a very
important tool in theory of architecture,
because it is the ground of what can be
Criticism considered as the "common sense". Very
famous buildings are usually criticized by
several important critics, and observing
this can give us very important clues for
building our own opinion.

https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Theory_of_Architecture
  the difference was developed by the 15th-
century Renaissance architect Leon Battista
Alberti.
 The distinction between the history and theory
The of architecture did not emerge until the mid-
Difference 18th century.
between  Vitruvius emphasized on the importance of
history as a source of knowledge for the
theory and designer.
history of  It is impossible to discuss meaningfully the
architecture buildings of the immediate past without
discussing the ideals of those who built them,
just as it is impossible to discuss the ideals of
architects without reference to the structures
they designed.
 Architect

Theory of
Spirit of the age
Buildings Architecture Materials and Technology
Examples Society
Spaces Principles
etc.
Architecture Influences