Architectural Design Principles
What architectural design principles means
Form, function, scale, proportion and composition.
Worked example
One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.
The famous principle form follows function means that
- the shape of a building should be based primarily on its intended purpose
- buildings should look identical
- decoration matters more than use
- function is irrelevant to design
Working: Coined by Louis Sullivan, it became a guiding idea of modern architecture.
Curriculum and exam alignment
Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.
Related skills
Other Design Principles & History skills in Architecture, at the same point in the course.
Other Architecture topics
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Practise architectural design principles
6 questions with a worked answer after every attempt, and a SmartScore that tracks how close you are to mastery.