Composition

The basic rules of composition can be applied to any design including façades, buildings, neighbourhoods and whole cities. Good, clear compositions make the environment easier to understand, in other words, more legible. When buildings are legible, the place as a whole becomes more inviting and feels safer. A building becomes legible when people can guess where the entrance is and what happens behind its walls.

As we perceive things differently from the distance, textures and detailed patterns are often a good way to add interest to buildings for pedestrians passing by whilst ensuring it is ‘not too busy’ for those who see it from the distance.

Design criteria

1.1 Follow the basic rules of composition to design each facade in response to its immediate environment.