Traditional architecture employs a tripartite, or base-middle-top format.
[#60 – 101 Things I Learned In Architecture School]
Traditional designs employ a three tiered structure with a top, middle, and base.
- The base is usually thick and supports the entire design
- The middle is composed of most of the structure itself with support to join the top and base
- The top symbolizes the crown, usually representing the purpose or spirit of the entire design
Source Example
Image from Source, 101TILA.
This drawing depicts a traditional building divided into a top, middle and base.
Online Example
A rocket’s design visibly depicts the top, middle, and base.
Real Example
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a traditional example of a building clearly following the top, middle, base structure.
Image Sources
Strategy // Top, Middle, Bottom
This principle makes me think of the Rule of Thirds (http://sites.uci.edu/in4matx282f16/strategy-rule-of-thirds/) – Top, Middle, Bottom seems to be stricktly about verticalness, while the Rule of Thirds takes a more vertical and horizontal, gridded in thirds approach. They are related, and one might argue that Top, Middle, Bottom is a specific type of the Rule of Thirds.
Very interesting comparison that hadn’t crossed my mind. Thanks for sharing Stacey!
An image I did want to post, but was not able to find in time for this post, was of a website screenshot with a header, body, and footer.