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Introduction Lecture On Space

The document discusses the basic elements of architecture including points, lines, planes, volumes, and forms and how these elements are used to define space both horizontally and vertically. It also provides examples of how different configurations of horizontal and vertical elements like base planes, overhead planes, and single or multiple wall planes create different types of spaces.

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kiyayaki169
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37 views

Introduction Lecture On Space

The document discusses the basic elements of architecture including points, lines, planes, volumes, and forms and how these elements are used to define space both horizontally and vertically. It also provides examples of how different configurations of horizontal and vertical elements like base planes, overhead planes, and single or multiple wall planes create different types of spaces.

Uploaded by

kiyayaki169
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction Lecture on

SPACE

Architectural Basics-Design Studio I


ARCH 2071

Tilahun Kassa
February, 2023
Objective

Exploring, imagining and reading space in


Architecture
Contents

• Definition of Architecture
• Elements of Architecture
• Space Defining Elements
• Opening in Space Defining Elements
• Primary Forms
Definition of Architecture

 Originated from the Greek word Architecton


 Archi – great, tecton – builder
 Architecture is the art and science of building
 Architecture is the art and technique of
designing and building, as distinguished from
the skills associated with construction
https://www.britannica.com/topic/architecture/Expression-of-technique
 It is the conscious creation of utilitarian spaces
with the deliberate use of materials
 Architecture should be technically efficient and
aesthetically pleasing
Elements of Architecture

Primary Elements

“As conceptual elements, the point, line, plane and


volume are not visible except to the mind’s eye.
While the do not actually exist, we nevertheless feel
their presence…” Ching: Form, Space, and Order
Elements of Architecture
Primary Elements of Architecture

Line: One dimension, point


extended becomes a line.
With properties of length,
Point: Zero Dimension (No length, direction and position.
width and depth) It serves to:
Marks a position in space • Join, link, support, or
Static, centralized and directionless. intersect other visual
elements
To be visible, it needs to be projected • Describe the edges of and
like circle, cylinder or sphere give shape to planes
Column, Obelisk, or towers can be • Articulate the surfaces of
seen as point generated forms planes
Elements of Architecture
Plane: Two dimension,
line extended becomes a
plane with properties of
length, width, shape,
surface, orientation,
position

• Shape is the primary identifying


characteristics of a plane.
• Supplementary properties are surface,
color, pattern, texture, affecting visual
weight and stability.
• Plane serves to define the limits or
boundaries of a volume.
Elements of Architecture Overhead Plane: Ceiling or
Roof
Plane… Wall Plane: active in our
In architectural design, we manipulate normal field of vision
three generic types of planes: Base Plane: Ground plane
AU Headquarter Interiors (physical foundation and visual
base), floor plane
Elements of Architecture

Plane…
In architectural design, we manipulate
three generic types of planes:
Foster and Partners: The Great Court
Elements of Architecture

Volume –
• A plane extended in a direction
other than its intrinsic direction
becomes a volume.
• 3 dimension: length, width, and
depth
• Established by shapes and
interrelationship of planes.
• Volume can be either seen as a
portion of space contained and
defined by wall, floor and
ceiling/roof planes or a quantity of
space displaced by the mass of a
building.
Form
“Architectural form is the point of contact between mass
and space... Architectural forms, textures, materials,
modulation of light and shade, color, all combine to
inject a quality or spirit that articulates space. The
quality of the architecture will be determined by the skill
of the designer in using and relating these elements,
both in the interior spaces and in the spaces around
buildings.”

Edmund N. Bacon: The Design of Cities 1974


Form…
Visual properties of forms: Relational properties of forms:
• Shape, Size, Color and • Position, Orientation and
Texture. Visual Inertia
Form…
Those visual and relational properties of form are affected
by:
• Changing perspective or angle of view
• Distance from the form
• Lighting condition
• The background field
Space
“Constantly encompasses
our being…
It is an inherently formless
vapor. Its visual form, its
dimensions and scale and
the quality of its light
depend on our perception
of the spatial boundaries
defined by elements of
form.” The Pantheon, Rome,
A.D 120 - 124
Horizontal Elements Defining Space
Base Plane:
A horizontal plane laying as a
figure on a contrasting
background
- Indication of space for distinct
activity than the surrounding
- Continuous space but
separated spatial zone/realm
Dema Firenze: Living
Space
Horizontal Elements Defining Space
Elevated Base Plane:
A horizontal plane elevated
above the ground plane
- Interrupted flow of space
- An implication of enhanced
image/visibility
- Method of creating sacred
and honorific buildings

Pavilion of Supreme
Harmony (Taihe Dian): in
the Forbidden City,
Perking
Horizontal Elements Defining Space
Elevated Base Plane:
- Elevating creates a specific domain
- If surface characteristics continues up across the elevated
plane, then the elevated one will appear part of surrounding
plane.
- If edge conditions is articulated by a change in form of color
and texture, then the field will become a distinct plateau, that
is separated from surroundings
Horizontal Elements Defining Space
Depressed Base Plane:
A horizontal plane depressed
into the ground plane
- Isolated space
- Introverted/Protective space
- Intimate space within

Library, Wolfsburg
Cultural Center, Essen,
Germany, 1962, Alvar
Aalto
Horizontal Elements Defining Space
Overhead Plane:
A horizontal plane located
overhead defines a volume of
space between itself and the
ground plane.
- Distinct volume of space
while continuous
- Organized and protected
space
Glass House, New
Canaan, Connecticut,
1949, Philip Johnson
Vertical Elements Defining Space
Vertical Linear Elements
- Define the perpendicular edges of a volume of space
Single Vertical Plane
- A single vertical plane articulates the space on which it
fronts
L-shaped Plane
- Generates a field of space from its corner outward along
a diagonal axis.
Parallel Planes
- Define a volume of space in between that is oriented
axially toward both open ends of the configuration
U-shaped Plane
- Defines a volume of space that is oriented primarily
toward the open end of the configuration.
Four Planes: Closure
- Establish the boundaries of an introverted space and
influence the field of space around the enclosure
Vertical Elements Defining Space

Vertical Linear Elements


Vertical Elements Defining Space

Single Vertical Plane


Vertical Elements Defining Space

L-shaped Plane
Vertical Elements Defining Space

Parallel Planes
- Leading spaces
- Extroverted in
nature
Vertical Elements Defining Space

U-shaped Plane
- Both introverted
and Extroverted
spaces
- Containing space
- Approach to a focal
image
Vertical Elements Defining Space
Four Planes: Closure
- The strongest spatial definition
- Introverted
Exercise one
Based on the lecture as input, observe your surrounding environment
and try to perceive space that has been formed by the space defining
elements. Then illustrate your intuition through sketch on A3 paper
format.

Input: - observe current scenario of the surrounding in order to


perceive space that is formed in the environment by space defining
elements.

Expected output: - illustrate one’s perception of space and it’s


defining element on A3 paper format in scale of 1:100.

Procedure: - students will observe their environment and attempt to


feel space -intuitionally that are emphasized by the space defining
elements. Based on their own perception and then illustrate; what
they grasp from their observation on A3 paper format and draw in
appropriate manner.

Objective of exercise: - to develop one’s ability of noticing space or


intuition of space in their surrounding through observation or
perception.

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