CONTEXTUAL DESIGN : AN EXAMINATION OF THE DIFFERENT 
ASPECTS OF THE PHYSICAL CONTEXT AND THEIR MANIFESTATION 
IN ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION 
A Dissertation Submitted to the University of Moratuwa 
As a Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of 
Master of Science in Architecture 
s \ . \ u2»oge. 
7 1 7 2 f 
NIHANTHA MUNASINOHE 
Department of Architecture 
University of Moratuwa 
July 1999 
•72. c n 
V A " -; • 
71724 
ABSTRACT 
As a result of the influence of modern commercialisation, Architecture of new buildings reflect their 
immediate purpose without conserving the civic orders and social hierarchies of the existing built 
fabric. Architecture conveys the meaning of building in a form of expressions, and therefore the 
expression of correct meaning and its clarity is essential in order coexist with rest of the built 
environment. Such expressions could be generated by different forces or Generators namely; 
User, Activity Pattern, Purpose and the Physical Context. Among them, the Physical Context is 
considered to be one of the great generators of Architecture. 
Thus Physical Context is a very complex entity, there is a tendency among practitioners and 
students to design without an in-depth response to it. As a result, the existing built environment 
lacks good Architecture which stimulates the minds of people. The reason underlying the above 
phenomenon is that the practitioners and students do not seem to have a thorough understanding 
and a sufficient knowledge about the Physical Context and its aspects. Though there are previous 
studies on this subject, some aspects have gone unmentioned. In this dissertation, the Physical 
Context has been examined on different 6tand points 6uch as, in terms of Patterns of Locality, in 
terms of Character, in terms of Geometry of Site, in terms of Rhythm of Street and in terms of 
Architectural Idiom. 
Perception of the Physical Context is essentially to be felt and understood and it is beyond the text 
and explanations. This study has derived the aspects of the Physical Context and has examined 
them in such a manner which shows how designer's sensible response to the Physical Context 
have evoked specific Architectural Expressions. 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
Archt. Vidura Sri Nummuni, Senior lecturer, Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa for 
the continuous guidance, comments in the formulation of this study, 
Archt. Madhura Premathilaka, Dr Dayananda Waduge and Archt. Jayantha Domingo for their 
comments and criticisms at the initial stage of this study, 
Archt. Mihindu Keerthirathne, Archt. Arosh Gamage, Archt. Panduka Samaranayake Mr. Saro 
Weerasooriya (Senior Structural Engineer) and Mr N. Abesuriya (Senior Structural Engineer) for 
their comments respect to the practice of Architecture and reference materials made available, 
My colleagues Shantha, Roshan, Missara, Pashalee, Kanchana, Nuwan and Hiranthi for all their 
help through out this study, Ineka and Surangi for their encouragement, 
My parents and family for all their support. 
LIST OF FIGURES 
1.1 (Edward, T.1924:p3) 
1.2 (Edward, T.1924:p6) 
1.3 Habib Bank, Chathum Streel, Fort 
1.4 Arch of Titus, Rome, Baker, G. H. (Baker, G. H.,1989:p13) 
2.1 Openings & expressions, (Meiss, P.1990:p6) 
3.1 Views of Piazza of San Marcko, Venice, (Baker, G. H.,1989:p150) 
3.2 Campo and cathedral, Siena, Italy. (Baker, G. H.1989:p113) 
3.3 James sterling, Extension to the National Gallery, London, (Baker, G. H.1989:p233) 
3.4 Back ground and figure, (Mass, P.1990:p22) 
3.5 Patterns of Piazza of San Marcko, Venice, (Baker, G. H. 1989:p130) 
3.6.a National Assembly Building. Bangladesh.(Ching. F. D. K.1996:p195) 
3.6.b San Lorenzo Maggiore, Millan, Italy (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p197) 
3.7 Variety of linear organisations (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p198) 
3.8 Terraced housing, James Sterling (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p200) 
3.9 Housing development, Italy, Alvar Alto (Ching, F. D. K. 1996:p206) 
3.10 Variety of clustered organisations (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p214) 
3.11 Kaufman house, Pennsylvania (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p219) 
3.12 Friedman house, New York (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p218) 
3.13 Variety of grid organisations (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p221) 
3.14 Kimball Art museum, Texas (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p224) 
3.15 Serial vision and spatial progression (Cullen, G.1975:p86) 
3.16 Spatial progression: Piazza of San Marcko, Venice, (Baker, G. H.1989:p148) 
3.17 Configuration of paths (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p253) 
3.18 Karlsruhe, Germany (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p259) 
3.19 Path space relation ship (Ching. F. D. K. 1996:p264) 
3.20 Form of the circulation space (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p269) 
3.21 Street in Siena, Italy (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p235) 
3.22 Bedford park, London (Ching, F. D. K. 1996:p365) 
3.23 view of Villa Hermosa, Spain (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p262) 
IV 
3.24 View of Spanish Hill Town of Moja'car (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p261) 
3.25 Arcades of houses at Square of Telo, Czechoslovakia (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p348) 
3.26 View of Florence (Ching, F. D. K.1996:p341) 
3.27.a Continuous building line, (Jacobs, A. B.1993:p156) 
3.27.b Set back building line, Jacobs, A. B.1993:p159) 
3.28 Vertical Punctuation, Office building at Wellawatla 
3.29 Monastic Complex at Assisi (Baker, G. H. 1989^092,93,94,95,96,97) 
3.30 Plan: Town hall junction 
3.31 New Maylees building & Upton building: Union place 
3.32.a Beginning of Sir Baron Jayathilaka Mawatha: Fort 
3.32.b Grindays Bank: Fort 
3.33 Victoria Mem. building: Town Hall 
3.34 Church building: Town Hall 
LIST OF PLATES 
1.1 Hot dog stand, LA (Jencks, C, 1984:p65) 
3.1 The Grand Axis, Paris (Kostof, S.1991:p243) 
3.2 Lucca, Tuscanny (Kostof, S.1992:p173) 
3.3 The Palazzo del Popolo (Bentley, J. 1995:p87) 
3.4 Palazzo, Popolo, Tuscany (Bentley, J. 1995:p109) 
3.5 The Grand Axis, Paris (Kostof S. 1991 :p243) 
3.6 Grenade- Sur-Garonne, France (Kostof, S.1991 :p129) 
3.7.a Winding road to Uzzano, Tuscany (Bentley, J.1995:p44) 
3.7.b Uzzano, Tuscany (Bentley, J.1995:p48) 
3.7.c Uzzano, Tuscany (Bentley, J.1995:p57) 
3.8.a Portofino, Italy (Salino, C. 1988:p207) 
3.8.b Portofino, Italy (Salino, C. 1988:p203) 
3.9 Pallazzo, Cancelleria (Bentley, J.1995:p119) 
3.10 Monastery, St. Johns, Pa'tmos Island, Greece (Morris, J.1992:p33) 
3.11 Raws of Houses, Copenhagen, Denmark (Morris. J.1992:p5) 
3.12 Montengero, Yugoslavia (Morris, J.1992:p23) 
3.13 Amalfi, Italy (Salino, C. 1988:p229) 
3.14 Amalfi, Italy (Salino, C. 1988:p228) 
3.15 RvierAmo, Paris (Morris, J.1992:pp7,8) 
3.16 (AD - Organic Architecture, p24) 
3.17 (AD - Organic Architecture,p24) 
3.18 Rocca, Aldobrandesca, Italy (Bentley, J.1995:p179) 
3.19 Pitiglino, Tuscanny (Bentley, J.1995:p190) 
3.20 (Bentley, J.1995:p143) 
3.21 Prague, street Nemdora (Kostof, S. 1991 :p67) 
3.22 Tuscany (Bentley, J.1995:p75) 
3.23 The Piazza Nettnno, Bologna. Italy (Kostof, S.1991 :p246) 
3.24 The Triumphal Arch, New Dhdi, Inda (Kostof, S.1991.'0247) 
3.25 (AD - Organic Architecture.pS) 
3.26 (AD - Organic Architecture,p9) 
3.27 San Gimignano, Tuscany Italy (Bentley, J.1995:p89) 
3.28.a AD - Organic Architecture,p70) 
3.28.b D - Organic Architecture,p71)b 
3.29 Naples. Italy (Morris, J.1992:pp34,35) 
3.30 Tuscany (Bentley, J.1995:p153) 
CONTENTS 
Abstract 
Acknowledgements 
List of figures 
List of plates 
Introduction 
Chapter One - Architectural Design: Definitions and problems 
1.1 Problematic Architectural Situation: variety and stimulation 
1.2 Meaning of Architecture 
1.3 Symbolism: Signs and symbols 
1.4 Interpretation of Architectural Expression 
Chapter Two- Generators of Expression 
2.1 Architectural Expression and user 
2.2 Generators of Architectural Expression 
2.2.1 User as a Generator 
2.2.2 Activity pattern as a Generator 
2.2.3 Purpose as a Generator 
2.2.4 Physical Context as a Generator 
Chapter Three - The Physical Context as a Generator 
3.1 Back ground for the Examination: Man and the building in 
the context of Physical Environment 
3.1.1 The Cosmos 
3.1.2 The Country 
3.1.3 The Zone 
3.1.4 The Neighbourhood 
3.1.5 The Street 
3.1.6 The Site 
3.2 Interpretation of Contextual Design 
iw 
3.2.1 Concept of Com ex! 23 
3.2.2 Interpretation of Physical Context 25 
3.3 Aspects of the Physical Context 25 
3.3.1 Patterns of locality 25 
3.3.1.1 Patterns of organisation of Masses 26 
3.3.1.2 Patterns of sequence of Spatial Progression 36 
3.3.1.3 Patterns of Activity 43 
3.3.1.4 Patterns of Architectural Style 44 
3.3.2 Character (Spirit of place) 49 
3.3.2.1 Natural system 50 
3.3.2.1.a Cosmic Order 51 
3.3.2.1.a.1 Climate of Locality 51 
3.3.2.1.a.2 Ecology 51 
3.3.2.1.b Physical Order 52 
3.3.2.1.b.1 Topography 53 
3.3.2.1.b.2 Water table and Water bodes 54 
3.3.2.1.b.3 Vegetation (Plant cover) 55 
3.3.2.1.b.4 Engineering class of soil 57 
3.3.2.1.b.5 Soil as a planting medum 57 
3.3.2.1.b.6 Surface problems 57 
3.3.2.1.D.7 Land form 58 
3.3.2.1.b.8 Shadng 60 
3.3.2.1.b.9 Buildng Orientation 60 
3.2.2.2 Cultural system 61 
3.3.2.3 Visual system 61 
3.3.2.3.1 Paths 61 
3.3.2.3.2 Edges 62 
3.3.2.3.3 Nodes 63 
3.3.2.3.4 Land marks 64 
3.3.3 Rhythm of Street 65 
3.3.3.1 Scale and Proportion 66 
3.3.3.2 Building line and Sky line 67 
3.3.3.3 Punctuation and Inflection 71 
3.3.4 Geometry of Site 71 
3.3.4.1 Street site 76 
3.3.4.2 Squares 76 
3.3.4.3 Corner site 77 
3.3.4.4 Prominent site 78 
3.3.5 Existing Architectural Idom 78 
Conclusion 81 
References 84