The 7 Elements of Unity | Aesthetic Components of Design

Ducal Palace, Urbino

The principle of Unity deals with visual composition in design. Composition means the relationship between the visual elements. The brick work, timber and concrete which we use as building materials for protection from weather or for structural support form the visual composition of architectural composition. To get a good composition, the elements of unity should be chosen carefully.

Composite texture made by Brick and Wood

Unity therefore deals with the arrangement of building materials and building parts (floor, wall, roof, column, beam, etc) to create a good composition.

7 key Elements of Unity

  1. Texture
  2. Colour
  3. Tone
  4. Direction
  5. Proportion
  6. Solid and Void
  7. Form and Shape

Consider materials such as stone, glass and steel. They are available in a variety of colours, tones, textures, shapes, proportions, etc. Various compositions of these material properties are possible-the challenge lies in arising at the most pleasing composition. The texture or colour of a single brick or wood panel will differ in effect when it forms a part of the larger composition such as brick wall or a door frame set in a wall.

Read more