Primary Elements

The primary elements of form include point, line, plane, and volume. These four elements are the building blocks of any and all forms. A point marks the beginning of a form, which can be extended into a line. The point goes from having no dimension at all to being a one-dimensional line. A line can be extended into a plane, making the form two-dimensional. Several planes together makes up a volume, giving the form three dimensions.

POINT
A point marks a spot in space that does not move. It also has neither shape nor form. It marks the beginning of a form. Below is a diagrammatic example of point.

It can serve as the two ends of a line, the point where lines intersect, where lines come together to create a corner, or the center of a space. Such as a piece of furniture that serves as the focal point of a room. Below is an example of an island serving as the focal point of a kitchen.

Image Credit: Rufty Homes. "Kitchen Remodel". Houzz.com. 2012. 

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LINE

When a point extends itself, it becomes a line. A line is one-dimensional and gives position, length, and direction to a point. Below is a diagrammatic example of line.

The purpose of a line is to connect, support, and give shape to planes. Lines are also used to depict surfaces and textures of planes. Below is an example of lines being used to support a ceiling.

Image Credit: Michael Robert Contruction. "Classic Coastal Colonial Renovation". Houzz.com. October 2014.

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PLANE

When a line is extended, it becomes a plane. When a line becomes a plane, it goes from being one-dimensional to being two-dimensional and has the ability to portray length and width, shape, surface, orientation, and position. Below is a diagrammatic example of a plane.

A plane can be expressed by a transparent space between two parallel lines such as the space between two columns. It can also be a solid space such as a wall plane, floor plane, or roof plane. Below is an example of a plane as a window. The plane is the space between the windowpanes.

Image Credit: L. Newman Associates/Paul Mansback, Inc. "Project 3". Houzz.com. December 2014.

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VOLUME

When a plane extends itself, it becomes a volume, making the form three-dimensional. The three dimensions that it includes are length, width, and depth. See below a diagrammatic example of a volume.

A volume is defined by its form. It can be either a portion of space defined by walls, a ceiling, and floor planes, or a mass of space displaced by a building. Below is a photo of volume defined by the exterior walls (planes).

Image Credit: Horst Architects. "Caya". Houzz.com. March 2012.

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