Chapter III: Form & Space

Welcome to the third week of blogging! Here's a quote to help you with what we're learning....

"The elements of form and space together, form the reality of architecture" - Francis D K Ching

FORM AND SPACE: THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES

Form and Space are created by positive and negative elements. This depends on our perception of what we are looking at. Form is what is clearly defined. In other words, form is what takes up mass. They are the walls and planes of a particular area. While space helps mould the area simply by being the area around it. A space can be viewed as the positive area, the form becomes the negative area....or they can be switched!

   The Farnsworth House is an example of form and space being united, despite its' opposites. The actual house takes up form, the vertical plane and pilotis help define these. Therefore, the empty area surrounding it becomes what is known as space. Form and Space!

http://www.lab404.com/creativity/images/farnsworth_house.html

  DEFINING SPACE WITH HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS: THE OVERHEAD SPACE

   Horizontal elements are planes with bases. There is the base that's situated on  the ground, an elevated base, a depressed base and an overhead plane.

   When I think of bases, Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style homes come to mind. Specifically the Robie House. This house has an overhead plane, which so happens to be a characteristic of the Prairie Style. The hanging roof can also be called a cantilever.      

   An overhead plane is horizontal and defines the volume underneath it, between the overhead plane and it's ground plane.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robie_House.jpg

DEFINING SPACE WITH VERTICAL LINEAR ELEMENTS: PARALLEL PLANES

  These type of planes define the volume between them. Parallel planes distinguish a strong direction as they never meet, but somehow point towards a space. This then directs the spacial movement of people within the space. These planes also act as structural support for what is above them, such as the roof. 

   The interior parallel planes of St Peter's Basilica lead visitors towards the sculptural element. 

http://www.pbase.com/raylander/image/22535633

QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE: LIGHT

   Natural light is a very important architectural and interior aspect in every living space. Light is necessary at all costs. Natural light, is an amazing part of nature and this needs to be present in every design. Where windows are located are important as we need to think of the direction natural sunlight comes from. 

   Have you ever heard of the invisible glass house located in Sweden? It is made up of glass, therefore it is full of natural light...as long as the sun is out! This is an amazing architectural example of a very important quality of design. 

http://www.crazyjunkyard.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/invisible-treehouse-hotel.jpg

  DEFINING SPACE WITH  HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS: THE OVERHEAD SPACE

  Just like windows let natural light in, openings in spaces exist to create enclosures, as without enclosing planes, visual continuity is impossible. Openings, such as negative doorways, hallways or windows, can be placed at corners, on a  plane, or even between planes. 

   The designers of this kitchen has placed openings at the corners of the kitchen, letting light shine through to the sink and possibly towards the other end of the kitchen, depending on how strong the light rays are. This is also well space-planned as the stoves are close by, therefore any smell can go out through these corner windows.

http://aspenremodelers.com/wp-content/gallery/bloomington-kitchen-expansion/bloomington-kitchen-custom.jpeg