SPACE ARTICULATION

ARCH 512 | Theory of Architectural Design II

Slideshow developed by: Arch. Edeliza V. Macalandag, UAP Bohol Island State University | College of Architecture & Engineering

Horizontal elements
defining space
Base Plane Elevated Base Plane Depressed Base Plane Overhead Plane

BASE PLANE A horizontal plane laying as a figure on a contrasting background defines a simple field of space.

For a horizontal plane to be seen as a figure, There must be a perceptible change in color, tone, or texture between its surface and that of the surrounding area.

ELEVATED BASE PLANE A horizontal plane elevated above the ground plane establishes vertical surfaces along its edges that reinforce the visual separation between its field and the surrounding ground.

Elevating a portion of the base plane creates a specific domain within a larger spatial context.

The degree to which spatial and visual continuity is maintained between an elevated space and its surroundings depends on the scale of the level of change.

The degree to which spatial and visual continuity is maintained between an elevated space and its surroundings depends on the scale of the level of change.

The degree to which spatial and visual continuity is maintained between an elevated space and its surroundings depends on the scale of the level of change.

http://famouswonders.com/the-forbidden-city/

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/

Teotihuacn, Mexico
http://famouswonders.com/teotihuacan-in-mexico/

HSM screenshot

DEPRESSED BASE PLANE A horizontal plane depressed into the ground plane utilizes the vertical surfaces of the lowered area to define a volume of space.

Lowering a portion of the base isolates field of space from a larger context.

The depressed field can be an interruption of the floor plane and remain an integral part of the surrounding area. Increasing the depression depth weakens its visual relationship with the surrounding space and strengthens its definition as a distinct volume of space. Once the original base plane is above our eye level, the depressed field become a separate and distinct room itself.

Creating a stepped, terraced or ramped transition from one level to the next helps promote continuity between a sunken space and the area that rises around it.

Extroverted = the act of stepping up to an elevated space; implying significance of place

Introverted = lowering of a space below its surrounding; protective/ sheltering qualities

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/doctorcasino/4926761165/

http://www.landscapingdubai.com/outdoor-woodworks/designer-dubai

Catcher Block s bachelor pad from the movie Down with Love
http://www.beltstl.com/2009/04/mid-century-fetish-down-with-love/

Barbara Novak's Manhattan apartment from the movie Down with Love
http://www.beltstl.com/2009/04/mid-century-fetish-down-with-love/

Barbara Novak's Manhattan apartment from the movie Down with Love

911 Memorial, New York, NY Architect Michael Arad + Landscape Architect Peter Walker
http://www.911memorial.org/

911 Memorial, New York, NY Architect Michael Arad + Landscape Architect Peter Walker
http://www.911memorial.org/

911 Memorial, New York, NY Architect Michael Arad + Landscape Architect Peter Walker
http://www.911memorial.org/

A sunken courtyard, while protected from surfacelevel win and noise by the mass surrounding it, remains a source of air, light, and views for the underground spaces opening onto it.

The ground plane can be lowered to define sheltered outdoor spaces for underground buildings.

Underground Home Vals, Switzerland SeArchand Christian Mller

http://inhabitat.com/stunning-swiss-house-is-buried-under-the-earth/underground-home-vals-switzerland-mountain-house-17/

Underground Home Vals, Switzerland SeArchand Christian Mller

http://inhabitat.com/stunning-swiss-house-is-buried-under-the-earth/underground-home-vals-switzerland-mountain-house-17/

Underground Home Vals, Vals, Switzerland SeArchand Christian Mller

Underground Home Vals, Switzerland SeArchand Christian Mller

http://inhabitat.com/stunning-swiss-house-is-buried-under-the-earth/underground-home-vals-switzerland-mountain-house-17/

Underground Home Vals, Switzerland SeArchand Christian Mller

http://inhabitat.com/stunning-swiss-house-is-buried-under-the-earth/underground-home-vals-switzerland-mountain-house-17/

OVERHEAD PLANE A horizontal plane located overhead defines a volume of space between itself and the ground plane.

An overhead plane defines a field of space between itself and the ground plane. The edges of the overhead plane establish the boundaries of this field, its shape, size and height above the ground plane determines the formal qualities of the space.

An overhead plane has the ability to define a discrete volume of space virtually by itself.

Visually reinforcing the boundaries of the defined volume of space of an overhead plane.

Wood Truss

Steel Joist

Masonry Vault

The major overhead element of a building is its roof plane, not only sheltering interior spaces but has a major impact on the overall form of a building and the shaping of its spaces.

The ceiling plane of an interior space can reflect the form of the structural system supporting the overhead floor or roof plane. Since it need not resist any weathering forces nor carry any major loads, the ceiling plane can also be detached from the floor or roof plane and becomes a visually active element in space.

The ceiling can be manipulated to define and articulate zones of space within a room. It can be lowered or elevated to alter the scale of a place, define a path of movement through it or allow natural light to enter it from the above.

The form, color, texture and pattern of the ceiling can be manipulated as well to improve the quality of light and sound within a space or give a directional quality or orientation.

TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, Eero Saarinen, New York, NY, 1962
http://www.yossimilo.com/artists/ezra_stol/?show=0&img_num=7

This building represents a new idea in 20th-century architecture, and yet we are willing to strangle it by enclosing it within another building. Imagine, tying a bird's wings up. This will make the building invisible. If you're going to strangle a building to death, you might as well tear it down. [Philip Johnson]

TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, Eero Saarinen, New York, NY, 1962
http://www.yossimilo.com/artists/ezra_stol/?show=0&img_num=7

Jet Blue Terminal 5 JFK Airport, New York, NY

http://florence20.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83452a77469e201053584d1db970b-800wi

Olympiastadion Munich, Germany Gnther Behnisch & Frei Otto, 1972

http://dvice.com/archives/2008/08/top_10_olympic.php

Interior of Disney Concert Hall Frank Gehry

http://www.anyspacewhatever.com/2010/06/david-byrne-on-architectue-and-musical-evolution/

Sinfonia Varsovia Concert Hall Warsaw, Poland (2016) Atelier Thomas Pucher
http://www.archdaily.com/150421/winner-of-the-sinfonia-varsovia-concert-hall-competition-atelier-thomas-pucher/#more-150421

Sinfonia Varsovia Concert Hall Warsaw, Poland (2016) Atelier Thomas Pucher
http://www.archdaily.com/150421/winner-of-the-sinfonia-varsovia-concert-hall-competition-atelier-thomas-pucher/#more-150421

Mepantigan Dome Green School in Bali, Indonesia Yulianto Maliang, 2007 Maliang,
http://www.greenschool.org/

Mepantigan Dome Green School in Bali, Indonesia Yulianto Maliang, 2007 Maliang,
http://www.greenschool.org/

Addendum

Proxemics (Personal Space & Territoriality)

http://mhinterior.blogspot.com/2011/02/proxemics-personal-space-territoriality.html

Proxemics is the study of measurable distances between people as they interact.

Anthropometrics is the measurement of the size and proportion of the human body.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2782365620073673480kamqlK

http://www.theatre.vt.edu/destop/asressa_website/Images/Anthropometrics_Large.PNG

Ergonomics is the science of making the work environment safer and more comfortable for workers using design and anthropometric data.

http://saveyourself.ca/resources/images/ergonomics-comic-strip.jpghttp://saveyourself.ca/resources/images/ergonomics-comic-strip.jpg

http://www.ergonomicoffices.net/ergonomic-office-9/

Surf Chair
http://lylover.com/portfolio/surfchair/

The windows of the observation deck are located around the apex of the arch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gateway_Arch_windows.jpg

References:
Salvan, George S. Architectural Theories of Design. JMC Press, Inc, 1986. Ching, Francis D.K. Architecture: Form, Space and Order, 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2007. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/engin/guides/anthropometry.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/proxemics