• Form
• Space
• Order
• Proportion
• Structure

Elements

All buildings are made of forms (or shapes) erected in space, so architects must understand the elements that make up the forms that define our world. The basic element is a “point,” which indicates a location in space. As a point is extended, it becomes a “line,” with properties of length, direction and position, or the location of the line.

Points and lines are the primary components of architectural structures. Points can serve as focal points of buildings; lines can join disparate spaces as in bridges. Lines also articulate the edges and surfaces of structures, so all architecture must begin with a point, which extends to a line.