Theory of Building I

Professor Ayşe Zekiye Abalı, M.Arch, Ph.D.

What do you expect to learn in this

course ?

A grand theory which explains all

buildings, of all times !

A theory which is the basis to calculate the

dimensions of buildings, as in construction

engineering !

General information about buildings !

Well, buildings are quite physical, I can not

think of anything theoretical about them….

To explain natural phenomena (doğal

olgular) we invent theories.

If it is a good theory, it becomes an

explanation of a natural law(doğa

kanunları).

Such is The Theory of Gravitation,

by Sir Isaac Newton.

All our knowledge of mechanics is based

on it.

This is scientific meaning of the word

`theory`

We also use the term in a broader sense :Theory of Communication

Theory of Hermeneutics

Theory of Psychoanalysis

…………. and even

`Conspiracy Theory`

An even broader meaning of the word is :

`A collection of information necessary for

proper execution of certain tasks`.

We can talk about theory of musical

composition.

However, knowing the theory of musical

composition does not make one a great

composer.

There is a collection of theoretical of

information about buildings.

One needs to be informed about it, in

order to design a livable building. This is

necessary but not sufficient to become an

architect.

A collection of theoretical information have to be

classified :

In architecture a classification may be :

Based on date of construction : Roman,

Gothic,….

Based on materials: concrete, steel, stone,

adobe,….

Based on structural syt.s: frame, masonry,….

Based on complementary technologies:

air conditioning syst.s, heating syst.s,…..

Based on function : dwelling, work,

recreation,….

Function is the most conclusive criteria for

a classification of buildings. We may

choose

the structural system

the materials

the technology,…..etc.

according to the main function it will serve

for.

However, function is also a very fuzzy

concept if not defined in a context.

Same function gains very very different

forms in different times and places.

Same function=Different forms

A home in Anatolia in 16thcntry/20th cntry

A home in contemporary Turkey in

a large town/in the country side

An apartment flat/a detached house/a

mansion

An apartment flat in Erenköy/Şişli

Let us leave the concept of context

to next week

and

focus on the concept of function

What is a function ?

“All things serve for a purpose”

The role of a thing for that purpose is its

function

This assumption is a huge philosophical

question

Which purpose does a painting by

Leonardo serve for ?

Or which purpose a mosquito serve for ?

Let`s not get into philosophical discussion

!….

Let`s agree on the assumption that :

“All buildings are built to serve

for physical and/or conceptual needs

of human kind”

Every brick, every window, every room, every

corridor, every building, every street, every

neighborhood, every town have functions

man-environment relation can be represented as

:

human needs lead to activities settings formslead to lead to

The content of this course

“Theory of Building I’

is to study this process with case studies

from home environment

Because we are most familiar with our

dwellings