Design Principles

Showcase Architects Follow These Design Principles

• Visual design principles apply to all areas of design, such as graphic design, product design and arts. As architecture is also considered a visual design area, architects need to acknowledge and implement these principles to achieve aesthetic success in their designs. The main visual design principles are balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis and unity.
  
  
• Balance creates visual stability – architects often use symmetrical (also known as formal balance).
  
  
• Proportion refers to relative sizes within structures, which is very important in architecture. For instance, government buildings, theaters and churches are often built to impress and dwarf the viewer, while the proportions in a private home are usually more according to human measure.
  
  
• Rhythm is created through repetition of shapes within buildings.
  
  
• Emphasis is achieved through contrast – many architects create a focal point to their buildings to attract attention. An entrance is often a focal point.
  
  
• The principle of unity is defined in the way the building is structured to create a visual harmony.
  
  

Universal Principles of Design

• Equitable use: a building should be useful to people with diverse abilities and provide the same means of use for all users.
  
  
• Flexibility in use: architectural structures should accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and abilities; it should, for instance, be user-friendly to both left- and right-handed users.
  
  
• Simple and intuitive use: building design has to be easy to understand, regardless of the user's background, knowledge or language skills.
  
  
• Perceptible information: information necessary for use needs to be communicated effectively to the user.
  
  
• Tolerance for error: hazards and adverse consequences of accidents should be minimized in architectural designs.
  
  
• Low physical effort: people should be able to access different parts of the building efficiently and comfortably with a minimum of fatigue.
  
  
• Size and space for use: appropriate size and space have to be provided in buildings for approach, reach, manipulation and use regardless of the user's body size, posture or mobility.
  
  

Environmental Design Principles

Showcase Architects try to design buildings to fit into the environment and be sustainable. Environmental design principles focus on the area the design is situated in.

• Respect for context: architectural structures have to integrate well with the surroundings and take local character into account. Where appropriate, new buildings should reinforce local distinctiveness.
  
  
• Sense of place: houses and other buildings should create a sense of place and identity. Spaces between surrounding buildings should also be taken into account.
  
  
• Sustainability: buildings should be constructed in a sustainable way. Energy consumption should be reduced, and the micro climate and ecology taken into account. The goal is to create buildings that don't leave future generations with environmental and financial debts.
  
  

Natural Elements

We use the five elements in a harmony to create in every design and the uniqueness to our solutions.

• SUN – The daylight is encouraged and is prime element in our design
  
  
• WIND – The cross ventilation and wind invokes freshness to our mind and the building
  
  
• EARTH – The interaction of the building to the earth and to the building is considered as prime element
  
  
• FIRE – The brightness and intensity and colors are brought in the design through interior walls, accent furniture design
  
  
• WATER – The coolness and the sound of water is used in several designs