Forms in Architecture
The Floor Plan The basic shape, or outline, of a building’s walls and its interior walls is known as its floor plan.  2-dimensional bird’s eye view Set up in a variety of geometric shapes
Popular Geometric Shapes Circle Square Rectangle Triangle Hexagonal Octagonal
Rectangular Floor Plans Parallel lines Most practical geometric form Enables designer to use space well No wasted space Least costly
Square Floor Plans Four sides of equal length Easy to construct Helps keep costs down Best for small buildings Not as effective in terms of use of space as rectangle Clusters are groups of objects or areas kept together for a single purpose.
Round Floor Plans Built around a central shared area with wedge-shaped rooms. Outside room shave lots of window area Expensive to build Lots of unusual angles
Hexagonal and Octagonal Floor Plans 6 or 8 sides Similar to round plans, but have straight lines on outside walls Unusual angles
Irregular Floor Plans Do not fit into any single geometric form. Use a combination of forms. Often used to design homes on special building sites

Forms in architecture

  • 1.
  • 2.
    The Floor PlanThe basic shape, or outline, of a building’s walls and its interior walls is known as its floor plan. 2-dimensional bird’s eye view Set up in a variety of geometric shapes
  • 3.
    Popular Geometric ShapesCircle Square Rectangle Triangle Hexagonal Octagonal
  • 4.
    Rectangular Floor PlansParallel lines Most practical geometric form Enables designer to use space well No wasted space Least costly
  • 5.
    Square Floor PlansFour sides of equal length Easy to construct Helps keep costs down Best for small buildings Not as effective in terms of use of space as rectangle Clusters are groups of objects or areas kept together for a single purpose.
  • 6.
    Round Floor PlansBuilt around a central shared area with wedge-shaped rooms. Outside room shave lots of window area Expensive to build Lots of unusual angles
  • 7.
    Hexagonal and OctagonalFloor Plans 6 or 8 sides Similar to round plans, but have straight lines on outside walls Unusual angles
  • 8.
    Irregular Floor PlansDo not fit into any single geometric form. Use a combination of forms. Often used to design homes on special building sites