Form

 Primary Solids

Form is the three dimensional mass (the interior structure). Shape visually outlines the mass or form, spatially defining its attributes.  In geometry class, we were taught the circle, square, and triangle are the simplest, most common shapes. When these primary shapes are given a third dimension, they become volumetric forms or geometric masses. Circles generate spheres and cylinders; squares generate cubes; triangles generate cones and pyramids. 

I.M.Pei built this pyramid outside the Louvre in  Paris. This is a great example of primary solids used in architecture and design.

Dimensional Transformation

Primary solid forms that have been modified by manipulation of one or more dimensions, such as orientation, size, or shape, and yet is still correlated with its original form. 

Frank Gehry transformed the orientation and shape of two cubes in the exterior of his  home.  

Frank Gehry's Residence in Santa Monica, CA

Subtractive Forms

A form that has had a portion of its volume removed is a subtractive form. It can create a new form that may or may not resemble its original form. 

 This is an example of subtractive form because the cantilever exemplifies the missing volume from the original cube form.This building is the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, TX. designed by Tadao Ando.

Additive Forms :

A form can be transformed by adding elements, enlarging the volume, creating additive forms that may or may not resemble the original form.

The Additive Form combined with the elements must be visually coherent in order to produce a pleasing, unified composition. The organization  of the overall volumes can be characterized by the nature of the groupings. The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England is an example of Linear Form.

Formal Collisions of Geometry:

When two geometric forms collide and fuse into each others boundaries, various organizations occur. A type of Formal Collision of Geometry is Corners, which  articulate the meeting of two adjoining  planes, and clarifies the deviation of the angle between the two planes. 

Adolf Loos rounds the front corner of The Steiner House. This emphasizes the continuity of the surface, softness of the form, and the compactness of volume.  This is vastly different than the corner condition used the back of the house.