Theory

Datum

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An ordering principle in architectural composition whereby a line, plane, or volume of reference (such as a colonnade, wall, or grid) gathers, anchors, and organises an otherwise loose array of elements into a coherent field.

Production Settlement

Details

Introduced
1970s

Classifications

Holder
Individual
Source of authority
Reason
Subject
Human centred
Degree of codification
Pattern based
Mode of transmission
Text drawing
Knowledge type
Propositional
Epistemic cluster
Western philosophical

Referenced by

Sources

  1. Francis D. K. Ching. Architecture: Form, Space, and Order. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1979.

Cite this entry

First published May 2026Last revised Jul 2026

CLAD. "Datum." Atlas of Architectural Thought. CLAD, 2026. https://www.cl-ad.com.au/research/atlas/theory/datum/. Accessed July 17, 2026.