Elements of Form Defining Space in Architecture
Elements of Form Defining Space in Architecture
Elements of Form Defining Space in Architecture
In architecture we manipulate three generic types of planes
Munich
Munich
Overhead plane Olympic
stadium
Ceiling plane or
roof plane
roof plane
Modern interior
Wall plane
Vital for enclosure of
architecture space . Active in
our field of vision
Precast construction
Precast construction
Base plane house
With ground plane the building
can merge , rest firmly or be
t fi l b
elevated above it.
Elements of form defining space
Horizontal plane
Base plane
Elevated plane
Depressed plane
Overhead plane
roof plane
ceiling plane
ili l
Elements of form defining space
Vertical Linear
elements define the
elements –define the
edges of volume of
space
Single vertical plane ‐
articulates the space
which it fronts
L‐ shaped plane –
generates a volume of
generates a volume of
space from its center
outward as a diagonal.
Elements of form defining space
parallel plane ‐ define the volume
of space in between that is oriented
of space in between that is oriented
axially towards open end.
U shaped plane – defines the
volume that is primarily oriented
towards the open ends.
p
Planes closure – vertical plane on all
Sides establish boundaries of an
Sides establish boundaries of an
Introverted and influence the field
of space around enclosure.
Elements of form defining space
Horizontal plane
Horizontal plane
Base plane •Seems to be figured out when there is a perceptible change in
color texture
color , texture .
•With edge definition
•With surface articulation – eg carpet , lawn , paving etc.
Elements of form defining space
Horizontal plane
Horizontal plane
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 ,color , texture ,
then the field will become a distinct plateau ,that is separated from
surroundings.
Elements of form defining space
Horizontal plane
Horizontal plane
Elevated Base plane – spatial & visual continuity
Edge is well defined . Spatial continuity interrupted. Visual and spatial continuity is
Spatial continuity Visual continuity maintained. interrupted. Elevated plane
maintained. physical access required stairs for physical isolated from ground level.
isolated from ground level.
accommodated access.
Elements of form defining space
Horizontal plane
Horizontal plane
Elevated plane
‐
•it can be result form site conditions or constructed to
elevate a building from surroundings to enhance its
g g
image in landscape.
•Used to differentiate the scared buildings or it defines
any important typology.
•Elevated plane can define a transitional space between
exterior and interior
exterior and interior.
•A section floor plane can be elevated to establish a zone
of space with in the large space.
of space with in the large space.
Elements of form defining space
Horizontal plane
Horizontal plane
Elevated plane
‐
Villa
savoye ,
Paris
Paris
Acropolis
Athens CEPT , Canteen
Area.
Elements of form defining space
Horizontal plane
Horizontal plane
Depressed Base plane – spatial & visual continuity
Vertical surface of depression
establishes boundaries
By contrasting form , geometry or orientation
The space is Separates
Remains an
distinct
i
integral part
l
Elements of form defining space
Horizontal plane
Horizontal plane
Depressed plane
Depressed areas in
‐ topography of site – stage for
outdoor arenas and
amphitheater .
Steps Depression benefits sightlines
Depression benefits sightlines
down – , sense of having , acoustical
introvert quality.
nature
Steps up
Steps up –
extrovert
nature
Elements of form defining space
OVERHEAD PLANE
OVERHEAD PLANE
it is similar to the trees . It
gives sense of enclosure.
‐Overhead
O h d plane l ddefine
fi a filed
fil d
of space between itself and
ground plane. Valencia Opera House, Spain
Edges
d off the
h overhead
h d plane
l
define the boundaries of this
field.
Vertical linear elements ,
edges of overhead plane ,
elevated base plan and
depressed base plane aid in
visually establishing the
limits of the defined space Salamanca House, NewZealand
and reinforce the volume.
Elements of form defining space
OVERHEAD PLANE
OVERHEAD PLANE
Offers protection. Determines overall form
It is determined byy the materials & structural
‐
form.
the roof plane can visually express how the
pattern of structural members resolve forces
and transfer loads.
The roof planes can be the major space
defining element of the building and visually
organizes a series of forms and spaces beneath
the canopy.
Tensile Roof
University of phoenix , Arizona,
Indoor stadium. Retractable roof.
Elements of form defining space
Dynamic Tower , UAE
y ,
Roof PLANE
Roof PLANE
Can be hidden from view by
‐wall or merge.
Can be single or many
Can extend outward as
overhang
Can be elevated to allow breeze Arena Zaqreb, Croatia
t pass through
to th h
Overall form can be endeavored
with a distinctly planar quality by
opening with vertical or horizontal
edges.
Elements of form defining space
ROOF PLANE
ROOF PLANE
Glass House, New Canaan,
Connecticut, designed by Philip
Johnson, 1949.
Elements of form defining space
Ceiling PLANE
Ceiling PLANE
Can reflect the form of the structural system.
Can be detached from roof plane, suspended , underside of an
p , p ,
‐
overhead. Can be lowered / raised to articulate spaces.
Can be manipulated to define and articulate spaces.
Can be manipulated to define and articulate zone of spaces
Can be manipulated to define and articulate zone of spaces.
Form , color , texture and pattern of the ceiling plane can be
manipulated to improve the quality of light / sound / directional quality.
Form can be manipulated to control the quality of light , sound /
b i l d l h li f li h d/
within a space. Raised to let in Light
Lowered
Elements of form defining space
Light wave ceiling plane
g gp
Ceiling PLANE
Ceiling PLANE
UAE , Airport.
UAE , Airport. Restaurant Rosso ,
Restaurant Rosso ,
ISrael
Elements of form defining space
Single vertical plane
The wall
Th ll
establishes
different
spatial quality
p q y
JNCASR ,BUILDING , DESIGNED BY CHARLES C OREA , BANGALORE
Single vertical plane
Provides sense of
Provides little or no
enclosure. It allows Separates
sense of enclosure. It
visual continuityy one space
one space
d fi
defines the edges of
th d f
from another Full sense of
spatial field
enclosure
Linear elements
Vertical
V i l linear
li elements
l suchh as columns
l ,
obelisks and towers have been used
throughout history to commemorate
significance events or establish particular
points in space or to organize spaces around
it.
Vertical linear elements can also define a
transparent volume of spaces. Column of Marcus Aurelius , Rome
marks the corners and edges of spaces.
Linear members that possesses the
necessary material strength can perform
structural functions.
They can express movement across space.
Stand as column supports for entablature.
Columns and beams together
g form a 3d
framework for architectural space. Obelisks in Vatican city
Linear elements
marks the corners and
edges of spaces.
Linear members that
possesses the necessary
material strength can perform
structural functions.
functions They
Hagia Sophia ,Istanbul
can express movement across
space.
Stand as column supports
for entablature.
Columns and beams
together form a 3d
framework for architectural
space. Domino house , Lecorbusier
Parthenon Greece
Parthenon , Greece
Linear elements
•SPHERE
SPHERE
•CYLINDER
•CONE
•PYRAMID
•CUBE
PRIMARY SOLIDS
•SPHERE
CUBOID
CUBE
•PYRAMID
PYRAMID
CONE
CYLINDER
Sphere
•Sphere
Sphere is body that consists of
regular , continuous surface.
•Itt has
as no
o lines
es , edges oor
corners
•Neither
Ne e horizontal
o o or
o vertical
ve c
emphasis
•It is a form which is closed
within itself.
SPHERE BUILDING , SHANGHAI
Visual effect
•Pure convex form externally
•Presents
P iimpenetratable
bl ,
uninviting appearance.
•It
I di
displays
l visual
i l quality
li off
repulsion .
•Has
H no pointsi off interest
i to FLOATING PAVILION FOR SHANGHAI
focus
•Defined
D fi d byb vague outline
li off
circle , whole mass appears as
i
immense dot.
d
SPHERE BUILDING , SHANGHAI
Emotional effect
•Lack of concentration
•Restleness
R l
•Diffuseness
•This
Thi diff
diffuseness also
l
characteristics the external
space surrounding
di the h sphere.
h FLOATING PAVILION FOR SHANGHAI
HOUSE IN SWEDEN
HOUSE IN SWEDEN
Derivatives of sphere – Hemisphere
the circular shape in architecture:
The Circle symbolizes unity, stability, rationality. It is also the symbol of infinity, without
beginning or end, perfection, the ultimate geometric symbol. It represents a completeness
which encompasses all space and Time
which encompasses all space and Time.
Hemisphere
A sphere cut horizontally in half.
The cut portion forms an edge , ciruclar in
plan.
The dome and edge portion gives the
visual character.
Visual effect
•Diffuse quality in the sphere , but
continuity is terminated at rim.
Emotional effect
•A sense of circular movement set up by the
rim.
•While sphere leads to disorientation
hemisphere leads to circular movement.
•Location: Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Founded By: Maurya Emperor Ashoka
Founded In: 3rd century BC
Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Inverted hemisphere
•If the base is flattened it would be
horizontal arena towards the which
attention is focused.
•This would be idea for viewing a
centrally activity such as sporting
events
events. Roman arena
Roman arena
OPENINGS
•Interrupt continuity of the domical
surface.
•Decrease
Decrease the visual impact .
•Weakens rim.
•Separation of internal and external
spaces is
i less.
l Australian Academy of Science building in
Australian Academy of Science building in
Canberra
•Center of interior visible form outside
draws observers to the interior.
•From the interior , outside catches the
attention.
•Hence
Hence the attention constantly
fluctuates between inside and outside
leading to mild visual excitement.
The St. Louis
St. Louis Gateway Arch is Missouri is one of Missouri
Gateway Arch is Missouri is one of Missouri’ss oldest
oldest
public memorials and the tallest monument of its kind in the
United States. The Gateway Arch is 630 feet tall and 630 feet wide
at its widest point
at its widest point.
CUBE
•When it is treated
little bit , it grasps the
attention than others
Cuboid
Altering the equal sides of the cube,
cuboid is obtained.
obtained
The volume is spread in particular
direction either horizontal or vertical ,
irrespective of the surface.
Each mass has a longer side and
Shorter side.
Surface lines are emphasized than corners.
Horizontality – urban street.
( because of the continuity one hesitates
to stop unless opening is created )
Verticality – high rise building
( both
b h physical
h l and
d visuall tension makes
k it
dominating visual entity)
Apt in las vegas
Street in Dublin
The horizontal internal space stimulates a horizontal movement
, which is greater with increasing horizontality. So space
becomes transformed into a p passage
g , a corridor and an internal
street.
Vertical space stimulates vertical movement when filled with
stair case,
case lift or ramp.
ramp
Water Cube, also known as the National Aquatics Center
The
h Water Cube'sb ' design was a
Team Masterpiece: the Chinese
partners felt a square
p q was more
symbolic to Chinese culture and
its relationship to the Bird's Nest
stadium while the Sydney based
stadium,
partners came up with the idea
of covering the 'cube' with
b bbl symbolizing
bubbles, b li i water.
It s located in Dubai Sports City, has
It’s located in Dubai Sports City has
27 floors and 561 luxury condos that
will satisfy even the pickiest tourists.
y p
Pyramid
Rounded surface.In far distance it
appears in outline as rectilinear and
nearer it appear more like circular
nearer it appear more like circular.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York.
Sections of cylinder
Transformation of forms
Dimensional transformation
•A form can be transformed by
altering
lt i one or more off its
it dimensions
di i
and still remains its identity as a
member of family forms.
forms
•A cube can be transformed into
similar p prismatic forms through g
discrete changes in height , width or
length.
•It can be compressed into a planar
form or be stretched out into a linear
form.
form
Subtractive transformation
•A
A f
form can b
be
transformed by the
Addition of elements to its
volume.
•The nature of the additive
process & the number and
relative sizes of the
elements being attached
d
determinei whether
h h the
h
identity of the initial form
is altered or retained.
GWATHMEY RESIDENCE AND STUDIO , New York