Transformers

When I began this series of vocabulary words and terms that deal with FORM, my thoughts immediately went to the movie "Transformers". I love the scenes where the cars "transform" into these robotic super heroes.

Just like in the movie "Transformers", basic forms do actually morph (not with as much animated drama usually) into other more complex and many times more interesting forms.

PRIMARY SOLIDS

PRIMARY SOLIDS are the basic primary shapes (2-D) that have been extended or rotated to become forms (3-D). A circle can transform to a cylinder or sphere, a triangle can transform to a cone or pyramid, and a square can transform into a cube.

One piece of the private residence featured below is a great example of a primary solid. Pay attention to the extreme right cone-like structure.

By focusing on this section, as seen above with graphic overlay, the cylindrical body of the space as well as the cone-like roof structure are evident. Below is a diagram of this structure that shows the cone and the cylinder and gives a simple visual definition of Primary Solids.

DIMENSIONAL TRANSFORMATION

DIMENSIONAL TRANSFORMATION occurs when a form is altered by one or more of its dimensions, but it is still directly related to its original family of forms.

In the photo below, this beautiful garden scene shows walls as backdrops for garden elements. These walls are actually a transformation of a cube.

Take a look at the same picture with graphic overlay. Is this overlay, the origin of the cube is seen, while the wall is shown as the end of a 3 dimensional cube.

This form is show again in a simplified diagram that gives a visual example of Dimensional Transformation.

SUBTRACTIVE FORMS

SUBTRACTIVE FORMS occur when a portion is subtracted from the original form to create a new form that may or may not become a form that can be considered its original identity.

In this photograph, a 3 dimensional wall has been used but areas have been "craved out" or subtracted, to create a logo for branding purposes in this retail space.

Looking at the picture with graphic overlay, we can focus on the negative space that has been subtracted.

In a simpler diagram, we can see how this logo is actually carved out of a solid cube.

ADDITIVE FORMS

ADDITIVE FORMS occur when a form has additional form added to its volume to create a new form.
A type of Additive Form is GRID FORM which is a set of modular forms organized by a 3-D grid.

In this picture we see an avant-guarde sculpture as an element of an interior. The building block type structure is set on a grid pattern.

In the photo below with graphic overlay, we can easily see the grid-like pattern on the surface of this 3-D structure.

Now lets look at this term and this photo in a simple form still showing the grid-like structure.

FORMAL COLLISION OF GEOMETRY

FORMAL COLLISION OF GEOMETRY occurs when true different geometric forms or like forms of different orientation collide or overlap. A type of Formal Collision of Geometry is CIRCLE & SQUARE which occurs when the circle interacts or overlaps the square.

In the photo below, the sphere can be seen interesting with the square lines of the pool, but also notice the curves of the corners and circular motif.

This is better represented when looking at the same photo with graphic overlay. Also notice the rectangular shrubbery and the triangular shaped shrubbery that meet toward the top of the photo.

Now let's look at a simple diagram that shows how the circles intersect or collide with the square of the pool. This demonstrates the Formal Collision of Geometry.

Although the way the forms of our built environment morph are not near as dramatic as the movies, it is obvious that all of the built elements around us can be traced back to primary forms and particular ways the forms can be manipulated to shape the environment that surrounds us.