Hierarchy in architecture is defined as “The articulation of the importance or significance of a form or space by its size, shape, or placement relative to the other forms and spaces of the organisation.”
There are several ordering Architecture principles used by the architect and historian in evolving design, however here we have only discussed one specific principle called “hierarchy in architecture”.
Hierarchy in architecture describes the components of a structure by how noticeable they are! The more noticeable a component is, the more important it will be for the architect & the overall aesthetic of the structure.
Hierarchy (one of the architecture principles) is about understanding why some parts are emphasised and carry more visual weight than other elements. By using those elements it creates balanced or unbalanced structure, depending upon the overall design. The hierarchy is a system which organises the space – based on – How important they are? The hierarchy in architecture is most often established through the use of unique shape, size, colour, or strategic location or placement. By following this designed element or form will be easily noticeable from the overall design which is aesthetically emphasised by an architect for the overall design of the building.
What is Hierarchy in Architecture
As for Example, The Taj Hotel at Mumbai, India – the dome in center of the building is a great example emphasising the hierarchy in architecture.
Courtesy - 123rf
The principle of hierarchy in architecture implies that in most of – not all architectural compositions, a real difference exists among their forms and spaces. These differences reflect the degree of importance of these forms and spaces, as well as the functional, formal, and symbolic roles they play in the organisation.
The value system by which relative importance is measured will of-course depend on the specific situation, the needs and desire of the users, and the decisions of the architect or designer. The values expressed may be individual or collective, personal or cultural. The main importance to use hierarchy in architecture is to emphasise the particular element or space which describes importance or power of the building by particular elements.