Space

Space refers to the volume or open space between the structural

components, a negative between the positive solids. The boundaries are
what are visually visible, not the actual space. The textures of the fabrics,
and the shadows cast by the rays of light on the walls, ceilings and floors all
define the boundaries rather than the space. The way that various areas
within a building are related to and engage with one another is referred to
as the interrelated nature of different types of spaces in architecture. It is
the link between public and private areas, the links between rooms in a
building, and the relationships between exterior and interior spaces.

Spaces can be connected directly, indirectly, or distantly- Direct is similar

to dining and living, indirect is by connecting through a hallway or a door
and distant is at a building's various ends. This interaction is a crucial
component of architecture because it gives the design a feeling of
continuity and flow, enabling different areas to come together to create a
beautiful whole.
Architectural Space
The three-dimensional spaces inside a building that are intended to serve a certain function are referred to as
architectural spaces. The spaces that can be utilized for living, working, cooking or sleeping, are made by
making use of the walls, ceilings, and flooring. Architectural spaces fall into multiple categories, such as public,
private, and semi-private, and can be found within the building and on the outside.
- Public places are areas that are open and accessible to the general public, such as plazas, parks or streets.
- Conversely, private spaces are areas like bedrooms, bathrooms, and offices that are meant to be used by a
particular person or group.
- Semi-private areas, like school libraries or hospital waiting rooms, are meant for use by particular people or
groups but are nonetheless open to the general public.
Architectural spaces are intended to be both aesthetically appealing and efficient, taking into account the
user's experience, the surrounding environment, and the intended use of the space. Therefore, architectural
space is important to building design and can greatly affect a building's overall usability, comfort, and aesthetic
appeal. It is an essential hallmark of architecture and determines how we work, live, and engage with the built
environment.
Proxemics
by Edward T. Hall

the study of human use of space and the

effects that population density has on
behavior, communication, and social
interaction
Spatial Relationships

1. Space within a Space

2. Interlocking Spaces
3. Adjacent Spaces
4. Spaces Linked by a Common Space
Space within a Space
A large space can envelop and contain a
smaller space within its volume. Visual and
spatial continuity between the two spaces can
be easily accommodated, but the smaller,
contained space depends on the larger,
enveloping space for its relationship to the
exterior environment.

In this type of spatial relationship, the larger, enveloping

space serves as a three-dimensional field for the smaller
space contained within it. For this concept to be perceived, a
clear differentiation in size is necessary between the two
spaces. If the contained space were to increase in size, the
larger space would begin to lose its impact as an enveloping
form. If the contained space continued to grow, the residual
space around it would become too compressed to serve as
an enveloping space. It would become instead merely a thin
layer or skin around the contained space. The original notion
would be destroyed.
 Moore House, Orinda, California,
1961, Charles Moore

Glass House, New Canaan, Connecticut,

1949, Philip Johnson
Glass House, New
Canaan, Connecticut,
1949, Philip Johnson
Interlocking Spaces
An interlocking spatial relationship results from
the overlapping of two spatial fields and the
emergence of a zone of shared space. When
two spaces interlock their volumes in this
manner, each retains its identity and definition
as a space. But the resulting configuration of
the two interlocking spaces is subject to a
number of interpretations.
 Plan for St. Peter (Second Version), Pilgrimage Church, Vierzehnheiligen,
Villa at Carthage, Tunisia,
Rome, 1506–1520, Donato Bramante & Germany, 1744–72, Balthasar
Baldassare Peruzzi Neumann
1928, Le Corbusier
Adjacent Spaces

Adjacency is the most common type of

spatial relationship. It allows each space
to be clearly defined and to respond,
each in its own way, to specific
functional or symbolic requirements.
The degree of visual and spatial
continuity that occurs between two
adjacent spaces depends on the nature
of the plane that both separates and
binds them together.
 Pavilion Design, 17th century, Fischer von Erlach

Chiswick House, Chiswick, England, 1729,

Lord Burlington & William Kent
Spaces Linked by a Common Space

Two spaces that are separated by distance can be

linked or related to each other by a third,
intermediate, space. The visual and spatial
relationship between the two spaces depends on
the nature of the third space with which they
share a common bond.
 Palazzo Piccolomini, Pienza,
Italy, c. 1460,
Bernardo Rosselino
One-half House (Project), 1966,
John Hejduk

Caplin House, Venice, California, 1979,

Frederick Fisher
Spatial Organizations

A Centralized organization is a stable,

concentrated composition that
consists of a number of secondary
spaces grouped around a large,
dominant, central space.

Centralized Plans, 1547,

Sebastiano Serlio
Plan for St. Peter’s (First Version), Taj Mahal, Agra, India,
Rome, c. 1503, Donato Bramante 1632–54
 Hagia Sophia,
Constantinople
(Istanbul), A.D. 532–37,
Anthemius of Tralles and
Isidorus of Miletus
The Pantheon, Rome, A.D. 120–24.
Portico from temple of 25 B.C.
Guggenheim Museum, New York City, 1943–59, Frank Lloyd Wright
Spatial Organizations
A Linear organization consists essentially of a series
of spaces. These spaces can either be directly related
to one another or be linked through a separate and
distinct linear space.

A linear organization usually consists of repetitive

spaces which are alike in size, form, and function. It
may also consist of a single linear space that organizes
along its length a series of spaces that differ in size,
form, or function. In both cases, each space along the
sequence has an exterior exposure.

Spaces that are functionally or symbolically important

to the organization can occur anywhere along the
linear sequence and have their importance articulated
by their size and form. Their significance can also be
emphasized by their location:
• at the end of the linear sequence
• offset from the linear organization
• at pivotal points of a segmented linear form
Baker House, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1948, Alvar Aalto
Unite d’ Habitation The first large scale project for the
Marseille, France famed architect, Le Corbusier
Spatial Organizations
A Radial organization of space combines elements of both
centralized and linear organizations. It consists of a dominant
central space from which a number of linear organizations
extend in a radial manner. Whereas a centralized organization
is an introverted scheme that focuses inward on its central
space, a radial organization is an extroverted plan that
reaches out to its context. With its linear arms, it can extend
and attach itself to specific elements or features of its site
Moabit Prison, Berlin, 1869–79, August
Busse and Heinrich Herrmann

Hôtel Dieu (Hospital), 1774, Antoine Petit

Herbert F. Johnson House (Wingspread),
Wind Point, Wisconsin, 1937, Frank Lloyd
Wright
Kaufmann Desert House, Palm Springs, California,
1946, Richard Neutra
Plan for Canberra,
Australia, 1911, Walter
Burley Griffin
Spatial Organizations
A Clustered organization relies on physical proximity
to relate its spaces to one another. It often consists
of repetitive, cellular spaces that have similar
functions and share a common visual trait such as
shape or orientation. A clustered organization can
also accept within its composition spaces that are
dissimilar in size, form, and function, but related to
one another by proximity or a visual ordering device
such as symmetry or an axis. Because its pattern
does not originate from a rigid geometrical concept,
the form of a clustered organization is flexible and
can accept growth and change readily without
affecting its character.
Vanna Venturi House, Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania,
1962–64, Venturi and Short

”Less is a bore”
Fallingwater (Kaufmann House), near Ohiopyle,
Pennsylvania ,1936–37, Frank Lloyd Wright
Spatial Organizations
A Grid organization consists of forms and spaces
whose positions in space and relationships with one
another are regulated by a three-dimensional grid
pattern or field.

A grid is created by two, usually perpendicular,

sets of parallel lines that establish a regular
pattern of points at their intersections. Projected
into the third dimension, the grid pattern is
transformed into a set of repetitive, modular units
of space.
 Crystal Palace, London, England, Great Exhibition
of 1851, Sir Joseph Paxton

Snyderman House, Fort

Wayne, Indiana, 1972,
City of Priene, Turkey,
Michael Graves
founded 334 B.C.