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Elements of Architectural Design:
Formal |
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| (Page 8 of 9) |
| Theme
and Variation: |
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A theme is a dominant feature of a work of
art that is carried throughout the piece. A variation is a change in
the dominant elements with the main idea still recognizable. An architect
might design a building using a theme based on history such as a Classical
building with columns, domes and pediments, or make reference to architecture
of another culture such as choosing to style the building using simple,
horizontal forms of the Japanese. Frank Lloyd Wright often chose a geometric
theme for his Prairie School houses. In these homes he altered the sizes
of squares and rectangles to add variety while maintaining the geometric
theme of the buildings. |