What is the difference between proportion and ratio in architecture?

In architecture, proportion and ratio are two different concepts that relate to the size and relationships between different elements of a design.

Proportion refers to how the size of one element of a design or building relates to the size of another element. This can involve the ratio of the width to height of a door or window, how the size of columns relates to the overall height of a building, or the relationship between the size of different rooms in a house. Good proportion ensures that a building or design feels balanced and harmonious.

Ratio, on the other hand, refers to the mathematical relationship between two different numbers or quantities. In architecture, ratios can be used to determine the size of individual elements of a design or building. For example, the Golden Ratio is a ratio that is often used in architecture to determine the size and placement of elements such as columns, windows, and doorways. The ratio can also be used to ensure that different elements of a design are harmonious and balanced.

So, the main difference between proportion and ratio in architecture is that proportion describes the relationship between different elements of a design, while ratio describes the mathematical relationship between two numbers or quantities that can be used to determine the size and placement of individual elements.

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