Form

Primary Solids

Primary solids are three-dimensional geometric figure that are generated from the primary shapes, such as circle, square, or triangle. Here, I will go further to explain....

Sphere

Sphere is a perfectly round, three dimensional solid. It is generated from circle and from every point of view, sphere maintains its circular shape. The diagram shown below is how the sphere is perceived in any viewpoint.

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Cylinder

Cylinder is generated from a rectangle and two circles. It is centralized about the axis passing through the center of the two circular faces. The cylinder is stable if it is rest on its flat circular surface, but unstable if it is on its round side. With different viewpoint, we can see sphere as circle or rectangle.

Image source: https://www.dezeen.com/2016/03/16/tree-in-the-house-by-almassov-of-a-masow-architects-conceptual-design-cylindrical-glazed/

Cone

Cone is generated by a triangle and a circle. Same with cylinder, the cone is stable when it's resting on its circular side, but unstable when its vertical axis is tipped. When looking at different viewpoint, a cone can be see as a circle or a triangle.

Image source: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/jackiew/1337202397/

Pyramid

Pyramid is a polyhedron. It is formed with a polygonal base and triangle faces. The faces of the pyramid are meeting at the same vertex on the top of the pyramid. Pyramid is relatively similar to cone; but the pyramid's harsh angular form is what set it apart from cone, which is more curvy.

Image Source: https://www.homedit.com/eye-catching-concept-house-shaped-like-pyramid/

Cube

Cube is a solid formed by six square sides. All of the sides are formed at 90 degrees angle. It is the angular version of sphere in a way because no matter what side of the cube you look at, it is all square. Cube is considered stable and has no direction. It is stable no matter what side it lands on.

Image Source: https://inhabitat.com/brilliant-5cube-sends-powerful-tangible-message-of-irelands-dependence-on-fossil-fuels/

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Dimensional Transformation

It is when a form is being be transformed by altering one or more of its dimensions but still maintain its original identity.

For example, transforming a sphere into ellipsoidal forms by altering one axis, as shown below:

A cube could also be transformed by altering its width, hight, or depth. The one below is an example of when its width is elongated.

Pyramid can be transformed by modifying its base length or the angle as shown below:

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Subtractive Form

Beside from Dimensional Transformation, a form can also be transformed by subtracting a part of its whole volume. However, even if a fraction of the volume is being subtracted away, form still remains its original identity, as human's mind would put pieces together to make sense of the form and relate it to the form they are familiar with.

Image source: https://distinctsolutions.ca/2018/09/functionalism-modern-architecture-okanagan/

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Additive Form

Additive form is the opposite of the subtractive form. Instead of a fraction being taken away from the whole volume, additive form grows and merge with other forms cohesively. There are 5 types of additive forms which are organized based off of the each form's relationship with other forms as well as the overall configuration.

The five categories includes:

- centralized form

- linear form

- radical form

- clustered form

- grid form.

The diagram below is the illustration of the Linear Form.

- Linear Form: is a type of Additive Form where a series of forms are arranged sequentially in a row.

Image resource: http://www.homedezen.com/casa-jondal-atlant-del-vent/

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Formal Collisions of Geometry

Formal collisions of geometry is when two different forms (in geometry or orientation) collide or interpenetrate with each other and they will compete for visual dominance. Formal collisions of geometry can be broken into five categories:

1. Circle & Square

2. Rotated Grid

3. Articulation of Form

4. Edges & Corners

5. Surfaces

Below is an example of Edges & Corners. It illustrates how planes articulate into form through the binding of its edges and corners. Interestingly, human mind always search for the regularity and continuity. Planes that are joint together at an irregular angle or in an irregular way are often considered by most people to be imperfection, as it is not what we are used to.

Image source: https://news.vcu.edu/article/New_Institute_for_Contemporary_Art_at_VCU_will_open_in_April