In architecture, form refers to a combination of external appearance, internal structure, and the unity of the design as a whole,[1] an order created by the architect using space and mass.[2]
The external outline of a building includes its shape, size, color, and texture), as well as relational properties, like position, orientation, and visual inertia (appearance of concentration and stability).[1]
Architects are primarily concerned with the shapes of the building itself (contours, silhouettes), its openings (doors and windows), and enclosing planes (floor, walls, ceiling).[1]
Forms can have regular shape (stable, usually with an axis or plane of symmetry, like a triangle or pyramid), or irregular; the latter can sometimes be constructed by combining multiple forms (additive forms, composition) or removing one form from another (subtractive forms).[1]
Multiple forms can be organized in different ways:[1]
in a line or along a circle;
as a regular grid;
as an irregular cluster;
in a star-like radial pattern.
Theories
Multiple theories were suggested to explain the origination of forms. Gelernter[3] considers them to be variations of five basic ideas:
A form is defined by its function ("form follows function"). For building to be "good", it should fulfill the functional requirements imposed by external physical, social, and symbolic needs (for example, a theater should have unobstructed view of the stage from the spectators' seats). Each set of functions corresponds to an ideal form (that can be latent and still waiting for a thoughtful architect to find it);
A form is a product of the designer's creativity. An architect's intuition suggests a new form that eventually blossoms, this explains similarities between the buildings with disparate functions built by the same architect;
A form is dictated by the prevailing set of attitudes shared by the society, the Zeitgeist ("Spirit of Age");
A form is defined by the socioeconomic factors. Unlike the Spirit of Age theory, the externalities are more physical (e.g., methods production and distribution);
Architecture forms are timeless, the good ones cross the geographical, cultural, and temporal borders.
