Selected Bibliography Architecture - Form Space and Order | Page 59

PR IMARY SO LIDS

“…cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders, or pyramids are the great primary
forms that light reveals to advantage; the image of these is distinct and
tangible within us and without ambiguity. It is for this reason that these
are beautiful forms, the most beautiful forms.” Le Corbusier
The primary shapes can be extended or rotated to generate
volumetric forms or solids that are distinct, regular, and easily
recognizable. Circles generate spheres and cylinders; triangles
generate cones and pyramids; squares generate cubes. In this
context, the term solid does not refer to firmness of substance
but rather to a three-dimensional geometric body or figure.

Sphere

A solid generated by the revolution of a semicircle about its
diameter, whose surface is at all points equidistant from the
center. A sphere is a centralized and highly concentrated form.
Like the circle from which it is generated, it is self-centering and
normally stable in its environment. It can be inclined toward a
rotary motion when placed on a sloping plane. From any viewpoint, it
retains its circular shape.

Cylinder A solid generated by the revolution of a rectangle about one of its
sides. A cylinder is centralized about the axis passing through the
centers of its two circular faces. Along this axis, it can be easily
extended. The cylinder is stable if it rests on one of its circular
faces; it becomes unstable when its central axis is inclined from the
vertical.

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