Chapter 6: Proportion & Scale

Golden Section: 

Originating from the Greeks, the Golden section relates to the proportion of human body. It is the ratio between two sections of a line, or between two dimensions of a plane. The ratio is the lesser one to the greater as the greater to the sum of both. If a = the lesser, b = the greater, the ratio is:
a/b = b/(a+b) = 0.618

http://scm.ulster.ac.uk/~B00619406/modules/des106/index.htm

http://schlosserdesign.net/design-101-the-golden-ratio/

The Orders: 

The Classical orders refer to the Greek and Roman proportions of elements in expression of beauty and harmony. The unit of dimension is the diameter of the column. This then determines the system of dimensions of the shaft, capital, pedestal, entablature, and spacing between columns. But of course, the size of the building determines the columns so the units are never uniform. Rather, it is the harmony and proportion among the parts establish the Orders. The basic ones would be Ionic, Doric, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite.

http://janineantoine.weebly.com/task-3---ergonomics.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pantheon_interior.jpg

Renaissance Theories: 

Deriving from the Greek musical and mathematical systems, Renaissance architects were able to apply ratios of unbroken progression from intervals in musical scales into real life spatial units. This includes making the ideal plan shapes for rooms: 1: √2, 1:2, 2:3,  3:4,  3:5. Another concept would be determining the height of the room based on the proportion of the room's width and heigh. If it is a room with flat ceiling, the height is equal to the width. If it is a square room with vaulted ceiling then the height would a 1/3 greater than the width. As for other rooms, it would be decided through the arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic systems:
If a is the width, b is the height and c is the length then,
Arithmetic: (c-b)/(b-a) = c/c
Geometric: (c-b)/(b-a) = c/b
Harmonic: (c-b)/(b-a) = c/a

The Modular: 

"The dimensions of that which contains and that which is contained" from Le Corbusier. It is a mathematic scale based on human proportions. Based on the height of a man with his arm raised, 113, 183, and 226 define the space occupied by the human figure. From 113 and 226, Le Corbusier developed the Red and Blue series, diminishing scales of dimensions that were related to the stature of the human figure.

http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/scale-and-proportion-the-architects-domain/

http://www.diariodesign.com/eng/modulor-a-tribute-to-le-corbusier-by-hisbalit-and-zooco-studio-at-casadecor-madrid/

The "Ken": 

Based on the Japanese unit of measurement shaku, the Ken is equal to 6 shaku. It determines the Japanese floor mats measurement. 1 mat is half a Ken. It is an aesthetic module that ordered the structure, materials, and space of Japanese architecture.

http://www.glubdub.com/detail/tatami-room/tatami-room-traditional-16054.html

Anthropomorphic: 

Anthropometry refers to the measurement of the size and proportions of the human body. The dimensions of the human body is used to confirm the architecture as a container or extensions of the human body. 

https://fabricsandframesfurniture.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/a-lesson-in-anthropomorphism-and-design/

  

Scale:

Scale refers to how we perceive or judge the size of something in relation to something else. Visual scale refers to how small or large something appears to be in relation to its normal size or to the size of other things in its context.