LB/DON/52/O3 
F U N C T I O N A N D E X P R E S S I O N 
O F A BUILDING A S A 
C O M B I N A T I O N IN A R C H I T E C T U R E 
An examination of the relationship between 
Function and Expression 
with special reference to Traditional Principles of Architecture 
t - "lte'fc « J . v ^ - •„ 
A Dissertation 
presented to the 
Faculty of Architecture, 
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 
For the Final Examination 
in M.Sc (Architecture) 
•A If 
University of M o r a t u w a 
'fx O • 
78183 
K . N . L . P e r e r a 
Faculty of Architecture 
University of Moratuwa 
Sri Lanka 
April, 2002 
181 83 
78183 
A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T 
I am deeply indebted to Prof. Nimal De Silva - Head of the Dept. of Architecture, 
Archt. Vidura Sri Nammuni - Senior Lecturer, Archt. Raveen Gunaratne - Group 
Tutor and Lecturer and Dr. S. Manawadu and Acht. Gamini Weerasinghe sixth 
year masters, for the inspiring guidance given to m e in making this dissertation 
possible. I have benefited a great deal from their valuable advice and 
encouragement, to achieve this goal. 
I a m very grateful to the librarian and staff (Inoka, Sanjeeva and Rasika) -
Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology for the unsolicited support given to m e in 
the preparation of this dissertation. 
i wish to take this opportunity to thank, my friends Buddinee, Shamaly, 
Ramani , Asoka and Sujeeva Iddamalgoda for their enormous support given 
by providing additional information and specially my batch mate Hemamali, for 
the opportunity given to me, to use her expensive camera. 
Last but not least, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to loving 
parents and my husband T. S. P , w h o have encouraged m e and kept my mind 
free to concentrate on my studies. 
FUNCTION HAi 
SHOWN IN TH 
MEANING IN 
r M 0 f l £ MEANING THAN 
WORD. EXPRESSION HAS NO 
E FUNCTIONLESS WORLD 
HIROYUKI SUZUKI, 1991 
4 
CONTENTS 
y 
A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T 
Page no. 
2 
CONTENTS 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 10 
1.0 INTRODUCTION 14 
a. Topic explanation 
b. Intention of the study 
c. Methodology 
d. Limitation 
14 
16 
16 
17 
C H A P T E R ONE 
F u n c t i o n the signif icance 
2.0 Introduction 
2.1 Function - the definition 
2.2 Function the Significance 
2.2.1 Architecture-the functional art 
2.3 Function as an Aspect of Architecture 
2.3.1 Physical Aspect or Physical function 
19 
19 
20 
20 
21 
23 
24 
5 
2.3.2 The Perceptual Aspect-perceptual function 24 
2.4 The Relationship between the space and function 24 
2.5 Architectural space 25 
Conclusion 27 
C H A P T E R TWO 
Express ion - The s ignif icance 29 
3.1 Introduction 29 
3.2 Expression - The definition 29 
3.3 Expression - and it's Significance 30 
3.4 Expression and space 31 
3.4.1 Physical space 32 
3.4.1 a Architectural space 32 
3.4.2 Perceptual space 33 
3.4.2.a Perception and Sensual Experience 33 
3.4.3 Place 36 
3.4.4 The relationship between the expression and 
the place 37 
Conclusion 38 
r 
C H A P T E R T H R E E 
F u n c t i o n a n d Expression-the traditional experience 
4.0 Introduction 
43 
43 
6 
4.1 Traditional Architecture - the idea 43 
4.2 Significance of traditional concepts 44 
4.3 Cosmic Symbolism 46 
4.4 Astrological significance 50 
4.4.1 Site Selection 52 
4.4.1.a Colour of the soil 52 
4.4.1. b Taste of the soil 53 
4.4.1.c Smell of the soil 53 
4.4.1 .d Topography 55 
4.4.1 .e Vegetation 55 
4.4.1 .f Dimension of the site 55 
4.4.1 .f-1 Traditional measurements 55 
4.4.1 f-2 Site measurements and the relevance 57 
4.4.1.f-3 Zoning the site according to the 
function of the building 58 
4.4.2 Design of a house 60 
4.4.2.a Determination of form 60 
4.4.2.a-1 shapes 60 
4.4.2.a-2 Proportions 60 
4.4.2.b Floor Area and the relevance 64 
4.4.2.C Materials 64 
4.4.2.d Color washing 65 
4.4.2.e Additions of spaces - Verandas 65 
4.5 Traditional Principles of Architecture and there relevance 65 
4.6 Function and Expression - The traditional achievement 67 
Conclusion 
7 
68 
C H A P T E R F O U R 
F u n c t i o n a n d Express ion - the analys is 75 
5.1 Introduction 75 
5.2 Astrological beliefs - The Analysis 76 
5.2.1 Social, Political and Cultural Back ground 76 
5.2.1 .a Social Hierarchy 76 
5.2.1. b Construction of Houses 76 
5.2.1 .b. 1 Foundation and wall 76 
5.2.1.D.2 Roof 77 
5.2.1.b.3 Finishes 77 
5.2.1 .b.4 Involvement of the Astrologer 77 
5.2.2 Customs and beliefs 78 
5.2.2.a Cosmic Symbolism 78 
5.2.2.b Mythical Symbolism 79 
5.2.2.1 Social considerations 79 
5.2.2.1.a Site selection and Design of the 
houses 80 
5.2.2.1.a./' Taste, color, smell and the 
vegetation of the site 80 
5.2.2.1. a.ii Topography 81 
5.2.2.1.a.///' Proportion and the 
site measurements 82 
8 
6.0 CONCLUSION 114 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 117 
5.2.2.1 .a./V Shape of the buildings 82 
5.2.2.1 a.v Doors and windows/Textures 83 
5.2.2.1. a. vi Materials 83 
5.2.2.1.a. v/V Colour washing 88 
5.2.2.1 a.viii Addition of spaces 88 
5.2.2.1.b Zoning of the site 89 
5.3 Function And The Traditional Principles 89 
5.4 Identifying the Core-Function 90 
5.5 Expression as an Architectural phenomenon 90 
5.5.2 Determinant Factors of Visual Expression 91 
5.5.2.1 shape 91 
5.5.2.2 scale 92 
5.5.2.3 Proportion 93 
5.5.2.4 Structure 94 
5.5.2.5 Mass 94 
5.5.2.6 Context and Composition 94 
5.5.2.7 Ornamentation 95 
5.5.2.8 Texture Pattern and Color 96 
5.5.3 expressive qualities in architecture 97 
5.6. Examples 99 
Conclusion 112 
LIST OF ILLUSTHATIOM 
10 
01. Museum of Building Anthropology British Colombia 19 
02. Himeji Castle - Japan 20 
03. Biren De (An Indian Painter) 21 
04. Biren De (An Indian painter) 22 
06. Wakasa Wan Energy Research Centre - Japan 25 
07. Sea Bird Island School Agassiz, British Columbia 29 
08. Akashi Castle - Japan 31 
09. Outer space cannot be perceived without inner space 34 
10. Expression and the structural design 41 
11. Astrology and the traditional house 45 
12. The structural organization 45 
13. Cosmic symbolism 47 
14. Mahabalipuram, T.N. Dharmaraja ratha-temple 49 
15. Boiling milk before the construction 50 
16. Chanting 'pirith' before the construction 51 
17. Counting a auspicious time for construction 52 
18. Astrological Beliefs 54 
19. "Bhuminaga Chakra" 58 
20. "Pada Bedima Chakra 58 
21. The Feng-Shul-astrological signs 59 
22. CentreVastumandala, the ritual diagram 59 
23. Vasthupurusamandala -Siva temple 70 
24. Gangai Konachiapuram, T.N. Brhadevara temple 71 
25. Ranakpur, Rajasthan, Adinatha temple ; 72 
LIST OF ILLUSTRTIONS p a g e n o . 
* 
11 
26. Kajuraho M.P. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple 73 
* 27. Some traditional principles-topography 81 
28. Proportion and the measurements 82 
29. Different expression of the house 83 
30. Proportion of Buddha statue-Geometrical mean 84 
31. Proportion of Buddha statue-Geometrical mean 85 
32. Proportion of Buddha statue-Geometrical mean 86 
33. Proportion of Buddha statue-Geometrical mean 87 
34. Verandas-change the quality of expression 88 
* 35. Effective scale is twice the physical scale 93 
36. Liverpool metropolitan cathedral 93 
37. Thorn Crown chapel 94 
38. Stupas at Anuradhapura 94 
39. Temple of Tooth Relic - Kandy 94 
40. Kishiwada Castle 95 
41. Texture changes-expression of human space 96 
42. A group of replica Haida houses 96 
-> 43. Painted dwellings-South Africa 96 
44. Aggressive building 97 
45. Building with unity 97 
46. Dominant and powerful building 97 
47. Lightweight building 98 
48. Heavy building 98 
49. Friendly building 98 
50. Active building 98 
» 51. Unitarian church at Madison 99 
52. Symbolism of the church 100 
53. Chapel of Ronchamp 101 
12 
54. Padhanagara 105 
5 5. Toilets with decoration 1 °6 
56. Typical plan of the Padhanagara 106 
57. The forest monastery - Ritigala 1 1 0 
59. 3D Composition 1 1 1 
60. Columns and railings 112