Hello everyone, welcome to the NPTEL online
certification course on Structure, Form and
Architecture. I am Dr. Shubhajit Sadhukhan,
Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture
and Planning, IIT Roorkee. So, I am offering
this course with the aim to get some better
understanding on the structure, form, and
architecture, which are seem to be very important
for specially the students who are pursuing
architecture, and even the civil engineers
or the architects, because this lecture will
give you some insight on the better understanding
of selection of structural systems and then
the forms selection which will actually support
to make our architecture the way we want.
And today this is the Lecture Number-1. This
is Introduction to the Structure, Form, and
Architecture: The Synergy. Before, I really
start this particular lecture, let us just
understand this subject. As this name suggest
structure, form, and architecture comprises
of three different terminologies. So, let
us understand what we understand by structure.
So, structure has many definitions across
different fields. So, pertinent to a building
design or architecture, structure is basically
a combination of different parts and parcels,
they act together to support the system, where
the form is the visible outcome of any object
and architecture is basically the process
which will include different thinking, creativity
and apply with the science and technology
to create some outcome, the articulation of
spaces. And the synergy is basically the strong
association with all these terminologies.
So, in this particular course what we learn?
We will learn different types of structure
that may be used for the architectural designs,
different forms which can be supported with
the structure, and different piece of architecture
where we have the applications of the structure.
Let us start with these two photographs, so
two buildings I just placed on the first slide,
the one is a museum building designed by famous
architect Zaha Hadid; the other one is Burj
Khalifa - a tall building, a very famous building
in Dubai. The reason behind putting these
two pictures in the first slide to understand
the essence of it. The first one the museum,
we can see, this is basically a form which
is being created with multiple curves, and
being supported with some steel glass and
other materials to give a pleasant look. We
all appreciate it; there is no doubt on it.
The other one is the Burj Khalifa - a tall
structure, and it is really fantastic to watch.
But this is the final outcome. To bring this
into reality there are different processes;
so one has to design it, then visualize it,
and that has to be supported with the structure.
So, can I say that this is only the form-based
creation or it is just the imagination? rather
it is a combination of all these, and that
is what this subject is made, but these are
all new buildings.
So, let us see this. This is not much new,
but again another you know wonderful architecture
that we all admire we all you know appreciate
one is the Louvre Museum which is basically
a transparence you know outlook, and having
this pyramid shape. The other one is in India
that is Taj Mahal; it was made long back.
But with the perfection in the symmetry and
as well as the stability, still we can enjoy
this environment there. So, this is another
example.
Now, not, it is not new in practice even if
we go back to the primitive age from there
also like people they invented different type
of shelter, different type of structures,
and form which actually you know make us wonder
even at this age. One we start with the Stonehenge
at the long-long back then the primitive shelter
and the pyramid. We all know in Egypt, there
are lots of pyramid, the example the huge
mega structures the execution of that with
different kind of material form really it
is surprising to us. Even that is true for
the Parthenon in Greece which is the series
of column that is supporting a structure.
And apart from that we can see this a curve
form structure designed by Felix Candela - the
famous architect and structural designer,
and in this side the Golghar that is situated
in Bihar, and this is basically a structure
which is appreciable. But at the same time,
if you look at the broad perspective without
not going much detail into the structural
components, so these are basically a form.
One is maybe the you know spherical form,
one is the canonical form, somewhere it is
a cuboid one, sometimes we use the complex
curve with the hyperbola or a parabola, and
sometimes it is a pyramid very straight away.
So, it has a relation.
Now, as already I mentioned that if you look
into the definitions, it will change in different
subject. So, we just strict ourselves to the
definition that is applicable for the building
design or so. So, structure is a constitution
or framework of identifiable elements, different
components, different parts, steps which actually
need to be figured and need to be combined
to act for a purpose and which will make you
know your design stable. It will give a form
and resist the stress and strain. We will
later on we will actually see all those terminology
stress-strain in detail though those are very
basic, but again we will touch upon that what
we understand by stress-strain of a structure.
Then come to the form, the definition of form,
the visible shape or configuration of something.
So, what we can see because of the light and
because of other physical parameters, so basically
the outcome that is a form. Sometimes it may
be spherical; sometime it may be conical;
sometimes it is regular 3D shape or sometime
it may be a combination. We add some subtractive
form, or some time we go for the additive
form to make a composition and give a look
to our form. And the architecture, I am pretty
much sure that you all know different kind
of definitions, different definitions of architecture
given by different architects and different
sources.
So, here it is basically one of the definitions
I have taken from dictionary that architecture
the art or practice of designing and constructing
building. So, sometimes architecture is not
limited to building or space creation, sometimes
it also include some other parts. And sometimes
also like we create some outdoor architecture
it should not be the meaning I just want to
convey that it is not always architecture
means a closed form enclosure, it maybe something
semi open or sometimes even it is of different
combination. So, these are the definitions
we know.
But looking at the definition, it is not really
very clear the association or the synergy
that we are talking about, but they are having
a relation definitely a form, we say it is
stable because of the material used to build
it or maybe the structural backup which actually
made it stable. In the architecture also sometimes,
it is just created by the function that we
require some space and we just measure that
space and we build something some enclosure.
But sometimes we can generate with the different
form, we just be determined. So, it is an
intuitive process which will help us to create
this outcome.
Now, here I place two photographs again and
taken from two you know different wonder piece
of architecture one is Eiffel Tower in Paris,
the other one is the Guggenheim Museum in
Bilbao. So, my question to all of you looking
at this photograph the first what comes in
your mind? Is this is an example of a structure,
or a form, or an architecture? Already though
I mentioned that I have taken these examples
from great architecture, but still the option
is on.
So, some of you may say that Eiffel Tower
is a kind of lattice structure is made of
steel and is a creation is a structure. And
I can debate on that that maybe it is a just
a form that is being created with the perfect
symmetry with some scale and proportion. And
as because it has some utility spaces, so
we can also say it is architecture. So, if
I get a definition in this case, all answers
will have the you know right sense. So, we
cannot really distinguish.
Now, come to the other one the Guggenheim
Museum is a very complex design and developed
on the mathematical calculation, and all different
surfaces, different curvature, the application
of material. So, it is something a form which
actually depicts some transition and create
this beautiful piece of architecture. So,
again we cannot define these two photographs
with a single answer, we cannot discard other
two answers from this.
Now, this is a simple photograph that depicts
all like what comes first? structure, should
we start our design with the structure keeping
in mind, or should we start just the form?
So, it is very tough question. Yeah, to me,
it is very tough because you know when for
a student of architecture when we give this
subject, any design assignment, and ask them
to design it, so we give them some requirements.
So, whether they will first start with creating
the you know form of that or they have something
in their mind about the structure they can
use, so it is difficult task for them.
But definitely we cannot neglect one for the
sake of the other one. So, we have to give
the equal emphasis to both of them the form
creation as well as the structure probable
structure that can be you know considered
for making that form. So, we need to think
this simultaneously. So, for making it very
comprehensive, very stable and you know great
outcome that we want from the design, so we
need to think both. The form that can be taken
up the structure that can be you know helpful
to create that form as well as overall it
will give the architecture that we want.
Now, the next slide, this slide is basically
a representation like again a continuation
of which comes first. So, it is very difficult
to say that time. But in this picture if you
see this skeleton and the mask that creates
the beautiful human like us. So, always if
we appreciate the outlook is basically what
we see, we can appreciate the human looking
good and all. But at the back it is being
supported with the skeleton, the bone and
also that is being well structured. So, that
is another important thing though we have
different parts of the skeleton, different
components, but if they are not tied up in
a right manner, so we cannot function, so
we cannot appreciate.
And that is so true even the recently build
the statue of unity, it is a huge structure,
so the outcome is looking as its sculpture,
but if you see the construction. So, it is
made of different structural element that
are combined together to give this stability.
And end result you can all see this you know
really a great structure or you can say this
sculpture or the form, or even the space created
inside it the architecture.
So, looking at these two slides what we can
understand as of now, that we cannot think
structure and form separately. So, structure
is an integral part of the form. And we should
keep this in our mind when we take up any
design, so that from the day 1, we can actually
start thinking of the probable structure that
can be used for the design, but definitely
we cannot fit everything everywhere. So, based
on requirement, we will fix it.
I give you another example. Say for example,
I have this pen it is a very simple design,
but it is not that much simple. So, basically
the result we are getting from the refill.
So, in this the refill is a very tiny thing.
And if you just give a try to use that refill
to write, we will not be comfortable, but
when we use the body of this pen maybe of
plastic or maybe of metal to give the grip.
So, one thing is your basically the anthropometry
and the ergonomics which will help us to make
the grip, this is one point. But at the same
time this body will make it more stable, so
that you can use it very comfortably. So,
like that in each of our creation to give
a you know solid or maybe a stable you know
outcome, so we have to think about the structure
how we can fit it.
Now, this is one example from a Beijing China,
so that was built recently, the Bird Nest
Olympic Stadium. So, this is again another
example of a structure which is inspired by
the nest. So, here we can say the form was
taken, the initiation is just a bird nest.
But the execution, the proper alignment of
the beam and column, it is very important
here. It is not so much regular that we will
often see in our building, you know regular
buildings. So, this, this is another example
where you know the form is predominant than
the structure, but again to make it happen
to get this feeling that we can resemblance
with the bird nest that has to be supported
to the right type of structure.
Now, go to the next one. So, this is another
example of the form. So, this is a photograph
of TWA Terminal, and this is basically the
main terminal building. So, looking at this
picture who are actually you know have studied
the contemporary architecture and I am sure
that they know this building, and this form
creation is like inspired by a bird. So, it
has a relation with the airport, so rather
the aeroplane. So, they both are flying or
with that concept, it is being developed.
But the roof structure, if you see that is
very important to think about the type of
structure to be used. And who are having experience
of you know the airport any you know international
airport or a you know standard big airports,
so we need some huge span whether it maybe
a example of our Delhi airport or maybe the
Kolkata airport or any airport if you visit,
so we need that span, so that people can move
easily. So, to get that span we need some
kind of structure which is not regular beam
and column maybe. So, how to select that one
is another challenge.
Again if you think of a form like here they
have used the form of a bird, so the challenge
will be even more to how to implement it.
So, again we can say that this also this represent
that the structure is an integral part of
form, and we all now come to a point where
like we get those examples and we can correlate
it with this.
Now, next two slides, this one and the next
one, we will see some of the forms which is
already present in the nature. And next slide
we will see some form which is basically the
man made. And the structural form that we
really aspire we really you know appreciate
those things, one is the cave and it is maybe
the you know the first shelter of that particular
primitive age, which was created naturally
and the form it is making stable, so that
people they can feel some safety out of the
externalities and all and this was very useful.
Now, to address this, I just want to extend
it, basically like why should we create the
form, why should we create the architecture,
the basic need of architecture or a space
as we consider that the shelter is one of
the basic needs of you know survival. So,
basically if there is no need, there is no
invention, no design.
Now, for the shelter the purpose, if we go
back to the history, so in order to save like
our primitive age you know ancestor, they
actually had to you know save themselves from
the externalities from the other animals and
all, so that is why shelter was much needed.
Though it was a tree house or the cave, or
later on they invented many other things to
you know get survived from the externalities,
so that was the need. So, that creates the
requirement to create the space the enclosure
which will be safe. But at the same time if
that cave was not that much stable and can
cause some of the other problems to the in
habitats, so purpose is not solved, so that
is why the stability and the safety. So, these
two terminologies we will use later on quite
frequently to define the structural need.
The other one, is a bird nest again is a fantastic
creation, and it really need some perfection.
So, if you see in due course of time, I will
show you this particular nest in detail like
how they have made and it has a purpose to
lay their eggs, and then how they make it
very safe from other you know externalities,
other you know dangers these birds. And in
this particular form it is basically a mess
looking form, you know very close picture
it is just a zigzag of some of the fibers
and all, but overall it is creating that particular
sense and a good architecture that we can
always inspire. And from that nowadays this
kind of nest being used or we can see it in
our interior as a means of your lighting or
something.
The other one is the honeycomb. This is another
beautiful piece of creation where like the
bees, they made this hexagonal shape and it
is so accurately done. So, this is a form
and in order to stabilize it how they have
you know made it, we will also discuss it
in due course of time this kind of structure.
So, in the lecture profile like number of
lectures, the one such topic will be of the
architecture and you know structure created
by different animals and birds.
Now, again the example of the spider wave,
so it is strong enough for them to you know
stay or use that as their habitat. So, this
is we can relate with some of the cabled structure
and also, we get inspired by that. And we
can create some kind of structure with the
roof like rope, and we make it. The human
skeleton already has depicted it with the
picture that this is the backbone. So, everything
we do even today I am standing, I am delivering
the lecture. So, basically it is supported
by the structure. So, along with this skeleton
like all the bones and with the you know mass,
it actually formed and make it make me able
to speak.
The other one, the other example, so if there
also we can create it has a relation with
the golden mean ratio I guess many of you
know this ratio where it is basically a form
like where it creates some of the involute
and it is a really beautiful creation. So,
these are very few of them that I could able
to put it in the slide, but there are many.
So, basic idea of putting this to get habituated
with a form that is already there in the nature
and their structure, so that we just modify
a little bit we can take inspiration from
this example and we create our solution keeping
all these in the mind. But based on the requirement
definitely thing is going to change.
Now, these are some of the man-made structural
forms where Igloo is another structure which
is being made in you know, in case to get
the comfort from the outside like to save
ourselves inside and get the comfort from
other externalities outside in that. So, Wigwam
is another structure very simple structure
that also help to get protected from the external
thing.
Then even we create something like you know
your kite or maybe the aeroplane or the parachute,
the acts with something with the air. So,
like sometimes we heard this term call aerodynamics,
and this is the principle why are all these
flies and other things. So, this is another
helpful tool or the term that help us to decide
upon the selecting some kind of structure
for taking into consideration these aerodynamic
properties.
Again we create the cranes which is another
you know supporting system, I would say to
create the beautiful piece of architecture
that really helps with the you know levers
and other thing this crane is created, so
that it can help us to build the structure
the way we want and at quick time.
And another invention that is the first aeroplane
that is again acts with a aerodynamics and
all. And we can see the example at the corner
that is a suspension bridge, and we really
appreciate and there are lots of suspension
bridge across the globe which really you know
make us really think about how it is so much
architecturally pleasant and aesthetically
looking great as well as is stable. So, how
these are acting why it is being made with
the suspension cable or is making a tensile
structure. So, we will discuss this kind of
you know structural form being used for different
purposes during the course. And the courses
is designed in such a manner that we will
design each component different type of structure
and form to create this.
And last, but not the least in this slide
is the example of a cell structure which is
situated in you know India, Bahai temple.
And this is another example where like it
is a meditation you know hall being created
where like this shell structure helped and
how it is creating the form of a lotus and
sometimes, we also refer it as a lotus temple.
So, we will see this thing how it really acts.
Now, moving on to the objectives. Now, to
be specific the main objective of this course
is to learn the relationship between structure,
form, and architecture to make a synergy between
them, a proper synergy can only work and create
the architecture structurally strong and stable,
functionally optimized and aesthetically pleasant.
So, if I make a structure very strong enough
and stable enough, but hardly we have any
place to live in, that means, our purpose
to create that space is not fulfilled. So,
probably our selection of that structure or
element is not appropriate. So, we have to
also satisfy the function or the requirement
of creating architecture, and after all the
last but not the least is to look it very
impressive aesthetically pleasant, so that
everyone looking at the building appreciate,
they enjoy that particular creation, they
appreciate, they give a value to it.
The other objective is to know the fundamentals
of the structural forms. So, here we will
not really go into detail of the mathematical
calculation of those structural things, but
main idea is to understand their behavior
their fundamentals and their pros and cons
to use for a certain thing. So, it will help
us to make a decision to select the appropriate
form and structure for our architectural design,
specially for the students who are just started
the architectural design maybe in the second
year or maybe the in second semester of first
year, this course will really help them. Because
when they start the architectural design at
the same time this course will give some input
from the structural point of view the structural
form that they can use to you know improve
their design solutions, they will not be stuck
into that.
And again, to learn the structural application
through suitable case studies, there are various
examples there are successful stories. So,
we will explore that. And what is my idea,
I will also present you some of the you know
model and we will do some small experiment
to believe in that particular property how
it is going to help to our requirement, and
it will definitely clear the doubts that we
had normally in our student’s days also
we faced that problem. So, it will clear the
doubts of those things and help them to relate
it with the architectural design.
Now, come to the process like architecture
is basically the articulation of space through
application of art, science, and technology.
So, we all agree that first we have to be
very much imaginative, and we have that creativity
to create something really appreciable, and
then we have to make it real with the application
of science and technology. This process also
includes an integration between idea, first
idea should be there to create something innovative,
then the technology and the control. The control
is very important where we manage it, and
then definitely the one of that process includes
the fulfilling of the requirements.
So, if we fail to fulfill the requirements,
may be the solution will not be appreciated.
Satisfying the needs and the desire of the
end user, how the way who are using it who
are actually you know experiencing it, how
well we can satisfy them to that. So, this
is the process of these in a summarized way
where like as like when like we go to an architect
for the design.
So, basically it is between your user design
and developer, developer maybe the builder
in this context to have a design solution.
So, always there is a process ok. And a feedback
like user the client come to an architect,
so say the requirements I want to do this
and I have this much of fund or something.
So, architect will design something.
And then it will have a cross checking and
feasibility and cost benefit. So, basically
it is optimizing everything, so fulfilling
all needs, so that the final outcome will
be as desired. And during that particular
designer, it includes good architect structural
designer, many other designers, many other
engineers, so that it can be done in a comprehensive
manner and give the outcome.
Some key points that I just want to highlight
in this lecture and definitely we will go
into detail in our coming lecture. So, key
points that we have to decide upon the structural
form and all, the space that is available,
the requirements given by the client, the
constant different constant may happen that
your structure to be built in earthquake prone
area or in a flood low-lying area, then what
is the purpose of the structure that is whether
it is a like huge activity hall or the you
know you need to make it for a huge convention
hall or it is just for a small residential
building, the concept, that idea, that create
the form and all, the available tools that
will make this design.
The technology definitely day-to-day the technology
there is a huge improvement, so how we can
integrate that with our design process then
different resources along with the manpower
and other resources, so that we can optimize.
At the same time sometimes, we also see the
economic viability, then the materials to
be used how this can support the form and
the esthetics that we were looking for execution.
So, after all everything we have and finally
if we fail to execute in a proper manner,
so that we will not really give us the required
or desired outcome and the maintenance.
So, based on that definitely during the process,
we make different solutions alternative solutions,
and we go for a suitability assessment to
pick up the best one that can fit.
So, now we are almost you know into conclude
this particular lecture. So, the synergy we
talked about among form, structure, and architecture
there are different objectives definitely.
So, this synergy, proper synergy will ensure
the safety of the user, fulfill the requirement
very obvious, satisfy the functional need.
So, one of the primary you know points that
we have to look into and the optimize the
resources, resources as I already mentioned
it may be the material, it may be the you
know cost, it may be other manpower et cetera,
solve the purpose.
So, as purpose was one of the you know like
initiation to create something new, so anyhow
this synergy should solve the purpose what
we actually desired, and then the ensure the
perfect fit. So, taking the best synergy,
best alternative to have the desired result.
So, basically now coming to this slide what
are we going to learn from this course. In
this course, we will learn the types of structural
form, different forms, basic structural property
and behavior of them to know where they can
be you know applied and where not, structure
architecture relationship how they are being
related from the past to the recent time,
different structural materials that are very
helpful to create different kind of you know
wonders in architectural field, then structural
application on resilient and futuristic architecture.
So, resilient and futuristic architecture
what we are talking about this is the need
of the hour where we have to make our thing
resilient with the you know natural disaster
or manmade disaster. So, how we can do it
with the case study. Next lecture we will
focus on relationship of structure to the
architectural buildings as of like this is
our focus to related with the buildings. So,
I think this will help you a lot.
And this is the reference you can go for the
further reading.
Again, I would like to thank you.
