Rhythm

In visual art is an attribute of any object that is marked by a systematic recurrence of elements having recognizable relationships between them. In Architecture, much of the effects of a building will depend on the harmony, the simplicity, and the power of these rhythmical relationships.
 * Rhythm **



There are many types of rhythm which are of special importance in buildings. Repetition of shapes In the repetitions of shapes, spacing can vary without destroying rhythmical character. Repetition of dimensions In the repetition of dimensions, the units may vary in size or shape and rhythm will still remain. Repetition of differences. Rhythms may be indefinite and open or definite and closed. A mere repetition of similar units equally spaced and without a defined beginning or a defined end is called an open rhythm. Its effect in architecture is usually disturbing. But if an open rhythm is closed at either end by the effect of perspective or by a definite marking of each end, this sense of confusion disappears. There is another type of rhythm of great importance in architecture: the rhythm of lines. Piet Mondrian made an intensive study of linear rhythm and exercised a strong influence on modern architects, especially Mies van der Rohe. This plan has a marked rhythmical character based on repetitions of wall planes and supports, and on alternations of closed and open views.

Of more importance to the architect are the larger rhythms of interior spaces. In complex buildings, the changing and progressive rhythm of shapes, with alternations of open and closed, big and little, wide and narrow, create an ordered variety of effect which contribute to the power of great and monumental structures. Forms which in plan are rhythmically related necessarily create a sense of motion and a sense of direction. In exterior rhythms, the problem is in the rhythms of the masses themselves. There has to be a rhythmical basis for the changing heights, widths, and setbacks.

Preferences in rhythm type have varied greatly in different architectural periods. The Romans Greek Gothic



The picture represents a greek religious building called Partenon. Greek architecture is a great example of the use of rhythm on buildings because they tried to make their constructions as perfect as possible. This building has various types of rhytms such as repetition of shapes, on it is columns; repetition of dimensions, because the distance in between columns are all the same, as well as the diameter of each column; and it also contains rhythm of lines. The top of the front facade has a type of rythm called repetition of differences because the progression of its size is built up from small to large and to small again.



