CATEGORY 1 | 3 CPD POINTS

Designing with Proportions

Architects have used a range of proportioning methods, lending beauty and elegance to their designs: Musical intervals, Root proportions, Vesica Pisces, Golden section and the Cubit Measure. This practical and aesthetic course covers all these systems.

4 Weekly Zoom sessions + some exercises to sharpen your skills: it’s a heads-on, hands-on, cameras-on chatty course. All you need, while sitting in the comfort of your home, is an open mind and stable internet. 

Book now!

The Cape Institute for Architecture has assessed and validated this Category One CPD Activity. This course carries 3.0 CPD credits.
COURSE DATES
8th Jul 2026 -
29th Jul 2026
COURSE TIMES
Wednesdays
4:30pm - 6:30pm
COURSE Dates
5th Feb 2024 -
26th Feb 2024
5th Jun 2024 -
26th Jun 2024
5th Nov 2024 -
26th Nov 2024
COURSE times
Wednesdays
16:00 - 18:30 (GMT +2)
Wednesdays
16:00 - 18:30 (GMT +2)
Wednesdays
16:00 - 18:30 (GMT +2)

Designing with Proportions

In Stock

R 3150

Designing with Proportions

In Stock

R 1575 / Month x 2

Course Themes

CUBIT: Space and Time relative to the Earth. After a brief overview of the remarkably methods of proportioning used throughout the ages, we look at the Cubit Measure. A way of setting up a measuring standard related to the degree of latitude of the building. Using this the building has a unique sizing related to its latitude position on the earth. The pyramids, Greek Parthenon and Gothic churches were all designed relative to their latitude and the rotation of the earth.

MUSICAL PROPORTIONS: Space and Music relative to the Planetary Orbits Pythagoras discovered the distances of musical intervals as a proportion system, that also relates to the distances of the planets from one another. This was used by Palladio for instance, to size the rooms in plan and section, including generating harmonious elevations. This approach makes real the notion of architecture as frozen music.
GOLDEN SECTION: Space and Time relative to the Growth. We will review where the Golden proportion has its source in nature and the human body. This sets the ground for understanding Wholeness, where the part and the whole have a reciprocal relationship. This principle is essential to generating beauty.

DYNAMIC SYMMETRY: From bilateral symmetry to dynamic symmetry. The Vesica Pisces, two intersecting circles with each center on the others circumference, is the basis of the Flower of Life, known throughout the world for thousands of years. This geometry sets up the roof proportioning system of relative sizes. It is a geometric basis of moving off bilateral-symmetry into dynamic-symmetry. It is present in paintings, cathedrals, window tracery, the Hagia Sophia, mosaic patterning, and more.
DESIGN METHOD: The practical use of these systems. Analysing the geometry of a building, window, or tiling layout is an entirely different process to designing using a particular system of proportioning. Here we need marry practical needs with aesthetic refinement. Starting with the geometry and squeezing the building into this does not work. Working intuitively alone is inaccurate and lacks discipline. We practice how to achieve this with mental dexterity and grace.

INTEGRATING PROPORTIONING SYSTEMS: Using multiple systems in tandem. many accomplished architects during the Renaissance used more than one system on a single structure. This adds a complexity and sophistication.
COURSE PROJECT: Revising your own design. You will integrate one or more proportioning system to one of your own past, current or future projects. Practical application is what makes this real. How to elevate the aesthetics of your designs.

SELF REFLECTION: Life in Proportion All our courses include self-reflective exercises to enrich your personal and work life. When you change and grow, so does what you do. Architecture is not only about buildings, it is also about us as designers, our wellbeing and the meaningfulness of what we do for both us and others.

Time to wrap up. We’ll revise the whole content learned so far, share impressions, insights and think about ways to move forward and together. With this range of tools and a clear sense of proportion the architectural world is your creative oyster!

Our architectural courses are open to anyone who wants to be inspired and creative. However, for those seeking to integrate meaningful learning and CPD’s credits, we are SACAP accredited as Category 1 activities providers. 

 

For foreign countries, participants can get  the equivalent UIA CPD credit value or the respective credits according to the institution responsible for Continuing Professional Development system in the country.

What our community is saying

Kim Benetar
Kim Benetar
★★★★★
Google Reviews
"For a CPD course "Over the Edge" was a breath of fresh air. A wonderful, engaging and highly interactive course that will leave you thinking long after the course bell has rung."
Samketi Dlamini
Samketi Dlamini
★★★★★
Google Reviews
"My architectural mindset has changed. And I was so happy to be with you guys!"
Hayley Bird
Hayley Bird
★★★★★
Google Reviews
"A refreshingly challenging course that kept me active, engaged and interested from start to finish. Very well planned and conducted. It has me looking at just about everything from a different more exciting point of view. Looking forward to the next one!"
Nick Olivier
Nick Olivier
★★★★★
Google Reviews
“Easily the best design insightful training that I have experienced since university. The course material and personal participation have meaningfully influenced me both personally and as a designer. Thank You!”
Brian Glaser
Brian Glaser
★★★★★
Google Reviews
“Keith Struthers Studios have introduced a whole new quiver to my design lexicon in a manner that was educational, inspirational and fun. Alongside this, the course presented an opportunity to delve into myself and rediscover a passion for the design process, which I haven’t felt for a long while.”
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