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Form and Space

The document discusses key concepts in architectural design including form, space, order, and their relationships. It addresses how: 1) Form and space are interrelated and form occurs at the junction between mass and space. 2) Spatial fields can be defined and organized by elements like columns, walls, and openings. 3) Openings in spatial boundaries allow visual and physical continuity while also influencing factors like light, views, and circulation.

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Priscilla Yesenia Anugraheni
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171 views

Form and Space

The document discusses key concepts in architectural design including form, space, order, and their relationships. It addresses how: 1) Form and space are interrelated and form occurs at the junction between mass and space. 2) Spatial fields can be defined and organized by elements like columns, walls, and openings. 3) Openings in spatial boundaries allow visual and physical continuity while also influencing factors like light, views, and circulation.

Uploaded by

Priscilla Yesenia Anugraheni
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Architectural Design and Theory 1: Form,

Space & Order


Form & Space
1. Form & Space
To comprehend the structure of a visual field, we organize its
elements into positive shapes perceived as figures and negative
shapes perceived as figures and negative portion serving as a
background for the figure.

For example, we recognize f and g as letters, but also see them


as figures having distinct profiles, placed against a contrasting
background.

As they grow in size relative to their field, however, other elements


within and around them begin to compete for our attention as figures.

We should therefore understand that figures and their background


together form an inseparable reality a unity of opposites- just as
the elements of form and space together form the reality
architecture.

As space begins to be captures, enclosed, molded, and organized by


solid elements of mass, architecture come into being.

Prepared by RINBO Page 1 of


Eng 26
Architectural form occurs at the juncture between mass and space.
In executing and reading design drawings, we should concerned
with both the form of the mass containing a volume of space as

well as the form of the spatial volume itself.

The symbiotic relationship of the forms of mass and space in


architecture can be examined and found to exist at several scales. At
each level, we should be concern not only with the form of a building
but also its impact on the space around it.

At urban scale, a building can be part of the fabric and aid in


defining streets and squares

Or stand alone as an object in space.


At the scale of a building, we tend to read the configurations of walls
as the positive elements of a plan. The white space in between,
however, should not be seen simply as background of the wall, but
also as figures in the drawing that have shape and form.

Even at the scale of a room, articles of furnishing can either stand as


form within a field of space or serve to define the form of a spatial

field.

2. Defining Space
A column, obelisk, or tower establishes a point on the ground plane
and makes it visible in space. Located within a space, a column
generates a field about itself and interacts with the spatial enclosure.

Three or more columns can be arranged to define a volume of space.


Supporting a canopy, four columns form aedicule, a diminutive
pavilion that serves as a shrine or the symbolic center of a space.
An L-shaped configuration of vertical planes generates a field
of space from its corner outward along a diagonal axis. The
enclosed introverted field at the interior corner becomes
extroverted along its outer edges.

The corner can be articulated as an independent element that joins


two planar forms together.

Two parallel vertical planes define a volume of space between


them that is oriented axially toward both open ends of the
configuration.

The directional quality and flow of the space defined by parallel


planes are naturally manifested in spaces used for circulation and
movement, as the streets and boulevards of towns and the halls and
galleries of buildings.

Opening in one or both of the planes can introduce secondary axes


to the field and modulate the directional quality of the space.
A U-shaped configuration of vertical planes defines a volume of
space that has an inward focus as well as an outward orientation. The
open end is the primary face of the spatial field and affords visual and
spatial continuity with the adjoining space.

U-shaped configuration of building forms and organizations have the


inherent ability to capture and define outdoor space.

When an element is placed along the open and of its field, it gives
the field a point of focus as well as a greater sense of closure.

Four vertical planes encompassing a field of space is the strongest


type of spatial definition in architecture. Because the field is
completely enclosed, its space is naturally introverted.

Well-defined, enclosed fields of space can be found in architecture at


various scales:
1. From a large urban square
2. To a courtyard or atrium space
3. To a single hall or room within a building complex

3. Opening
From within a space, we can see only the surface of a wall. It is this
thin layer of material that forms the vertical boundary of the space.
No spatial or visual continuity is possible within adjacent spaces
without openings in the enclosing planes of a spatial field.
Window allow daylight to penetrate Doorway offer entry into a room
the space and illumoinate the and influence the pattern of
surfaces of a room, offer views to the movement and use within it.
exterior, establish relationship with
adjacent spaces, and provide for
natural ventialation.

Opening lying wholly within the enclosing planes of a space do not weaken
the edge difinition not the sense of closure of the space

Multiple openings may be clustered to form a unified composition with a


plane, or be staggered or dispersed to create visual movement along the
surface of the plane.
As an opening whting a plane increases in size, it will at some point cease
to be a gifure within an enclosing field and become instead positive
element in itself.

A horizontal openig that extends A window-wall admits more


across a wall plane begins to visually daylight, offer more expansive
lift the ceiling plane from the wall views, and visually expans the
planes and give a feeling of lightness space beyound its phsical
boundaries
Openings located along the edges of a space visually weaken the corners of
the volume. As
these openings increase in number and size, the space loses its sense of
enclosure and beings to merge with adjacent spaces.

Locating a linear skylight along the edge where a wall and ceiling plane
meet allows daylight to
wash the surface of the wall, illuminate it, and enchance the brightness of

Combining a window-wall with a large skylight overhead obscures the


boundaries between
inside and outside.
4. Light
The radiant energy of light reveals the shape, colors and texture of

forms in space.
The color and brilliance of sunlight can create a festive atmosphere
within the room or a more diffuse daylight can instill within it a

somber mood.
Direct sunlight creates sharp pattern of light and dark on the
surface of a room and crispy articulate the form within the space.

The shape of an opening is reflected in the shadow pattern cast by


sunlight on the forms and surface of the room. The color and
texture of these forms and surface, in turn, affect their reflectivity
and the ambient light level within the space.

Possible detrimental effect of direct sunlight, such as glare and


excessive heat gain, can be controlled by shading devices built into
the form of the opening.

Even though forms maybe hidden form or out of view, their shadows
can reveal their shape.
5. View
Window and skylight openings provide views and establish a visual
relationship between a room and its surroundings.

A group of windows can be sequenced to fragment a scene and


encourage movement within a space.

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