ART05_Form and Space in Architecture_Student Notes (1)

Video:Form and Space in Architecture

Arts Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum

[Student notes]

Organizer Sponsor Research Team

Visual Arts

© Architectural Services Department

ContentsPreamble

Learning plan i

DisclaimerCreate Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.© 2012 Hong Kong Institute of Architects

Lesson 1: Form and Space in Architecture

1.1 Form and Space in Architecture

1.2 The Relationship of Form and Space

1.2.1 Shape of Form and Space

1.2.2 Degree of Enclosure

Exercise: Case Studies on Form and Space

Central Government Complex

Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building

Diamond Hill Crematorium

Hong Kong Wetland Park

Summary, Key words and Further reading

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Arts | Video: Form and Space in Architecture

Topic 05Video: Form and Space in Architecture

Major teaching areas

Learning planLesson Contents

Lesson 1

Video: Form and Space in Architecture

• 1.1

• 1.2.1

• 1.2.2

• Exercise

Composition of form and space in architecture through ‘points’, ‘line’s, ‘planes’ and ‘volume’

Different shapes of form and space

Effects of degree of enclosure on form and space

Case studies on form and space in context through four architectural projects in Hong Kong:

- Central Government Complex

- Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building

- Diamond Hill Crematorium

- Hong Kong Wetland Park

Visual Arts:

Visual Arts Appreciation and Criticism in Context• Formal knowledge

• Signs and symbols

• Knowledge of history and ways of seeing

• Knowledge in context

Visual Arts Making

Interdisciplinary teaching areas

Design and Applied Technology

• Strand 1 Design and Innovation

Learning objectives• To understand the composition of form and space in architecture

• To learn how form and space are affected by function and aesthetics

• To see how form and space are created and how they influence context through case studies

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Lesson 1Video: Form and Space in Architecture1.1 Form and Space in ArchitectureForm and space are complementary and inseparable aspects of architecture. The form of a building is its physical substance: the materials and structures that make up the building and enclose or create the spaces within it.

Formation of Space in Architecture

In architectural language, the relationship between form and space can be thought of as a ‘solid-void relationship‘. The spaces created by a building include both interior space and exterior space, which may interweave or influence each other. Architectural elements like columns, walls, floors and ceilings are physical elements that shape a space.

Form contains functional spaces and space offers particular experiences. Parameters controlling form and space include shape, degree of enclosure, dimensions, proportions, materials, colours and textures.

1Plans

Axonometric drawings

2 3

Interior space

Exterior space

Volume of spaceLinePoint

Line Plane

1. In plan, columns at four ‘points’ of a square grid define a rectangular space in between. In elevation, they are seen as vertical linear elements of the space.

2. In plan, a row of columns creates a ‘line’ that separates two spaces. At the same time, it creates a vertical ‘plane’ — walls are vertical planes, and floors and ceilings are horizontal planes. They create the ‘volume’ of spaces for our daily activities.

3. Buildings in a city can be regarded as large-scale ‘volumes’. The elevations of the buildings create external spaces between their vertical planes. These spaces may be narrow streets or wide plazas.

ElevationAn elevation is the vertical exterior surface of a building: its front, back, and sides.

PlanA plan is a scaled drawing showing the layout of the building.

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1.2 The Relationship of Form and Space

1.2.1 Shape of Form and Space

In buildings, walls and ceiling and floor surfaces are shaped to enable specific functions and create a certain type of spatial experience. Architects may choose organic, flowing shapes or right-angled geometries to create a particular environment.

p (Left) Aerial view and (Right) plan of Paternoster Square, London. The unified style of the surrounding building elevations (marked in red) creates a sense of place in the Square. The irregular placement of the buildings shapes the public space (marked in green).

Five points of modern architecture

— Le Corbusier

1. Pilotis: Space is structurally supported by pillars (points). The building is raised off the ground to provide circulation space and room for services.

2. Free façade: Because of the use of pillars, the façade of the building is formed according the internal use of space rather than supporting walls (plane).

3. Open floor plan: Since pillars are the only structural elements, floor space is left free from a rigid configuration of structural walls.

4. Horizontal strip windows: Horizontal windows allow a view across the horizon and bring natural light into the building.

5. Roof garden: The roof garden is conceived as a compensation for the area of ground plane consumed by the building’s footprint.

‘Form follows function.’— American architect Louis Sullivan

Many architects have a signature style that can be seen in the forms they choose to create. Depending on the project or the client, they may focus mainly on accommodating a certain function or on creating an interesting spatial experience.

Form and space are complementary: form creates space. And since the space must be used for particular functions, form must follow function.

SPACE FORM

FUNCTION

complementary

for

follows

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p Le Corbusier designed the Villa Savoye in Poissy, France to embody the ‘five points of modern architecture’ (‘Les 5 Points d’ une architecture nouvelle’) that he developed in the 1920s.

1:2001:200

20 4 10 m

p (Left) First floor and (Right) ground floor plans of the Villa Savoye. A grid of pillars is the basic structure of the building, supporting horizontal beams and slabs. Elevating the first floor provides a better view through the strip windows. Rooms can be configured according to the function of the space.

‘Its inside order accommodates the multiple functions of a house, domestic scale, and partial mystery inherent in a sense of privacy. Its outside order expresses the unity of the idea of house at an easy scale appropriate to the green field it dominated and possibly to the city it will one day be part of.’ — Robert Venturi, “Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture”, 1966 03


1.2.2 Degree of EnclosureThe degree of enclosure of a space depends on its function and nature and the degree of privacy or weather protection required. It affects the comfort of the space, influencing factors like natural light and ventilation. From the outside, the elements of enclosure also influence the elevations of the building.

Three typical ways to vary the degree of enclosure:

• The structural formation of building components can be designed to create openings.

• Permeability of the enclosure is influenced by fenestration or skylights.

• Transparency can be created by using glass, polycarbonate, or other transparent or translucent materials.

[Discussion]1 How do you compare different enclosed spaces? Experiment with physical models of the three plans below.

1Plans

2 3

FaçadeA facade or façade is generally the most important exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French word for “frontage” or “face”. In architecture, the façade of a building is often the most important from a design standpoint, as it sets the tone for the rest of the building.

FenestrationFenestration is the arrangement of openings or windows on the building envelop.

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u The Church of Light in Osaka, Japan was designed by the architect Tadao Ando. The structure is made of opaque concrete with the exception of an opening behind the altar that forms a cross. Natural light passes through this gap to illuminate the interior of the church and create a sacred and peaceful atmosphere.

© Ani Chan

p Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, France was designed by Le Corbusier. Coloured translucent glazing and irregular openings create a dramatic pattern of light inside the chapel.

p I.M. Pei designed these transparent pyramid-shaped skylights as additions to the Louvre Museum in Paris. Their geometry and transparency contrast interestingly with the surrounding historic buildings. The skylights provide natural illumination to the museum’s underground reception area.

underground

Skylights

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[Exercise]

1. Central Government Complex2. Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building 3. Diamond Hill Crematorium4. Hong Kong Wetland Park

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In the video, architects introduce four different building projects in Hong Kong:

• Central Government Complex

• Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building

• Diamond Hill Crematorium

• Hong Kong Wetland Park

What do you think about these buildings? How do you see these buildings according to:

1. Creation of forms — How is the form of the building composed? How are different building masses being put together? What kinds of enclosure the building has?

2. Space created — What kinds of space are created? What is the atmosphere of the space? What elements define the space?

3. Sense of place (genius loci) — How does the form of the building ‘sit’ within the context? In classical Roman religion, a genius loci was the protective spirit of a place. There are many Roman altars found in Western Europe dedicated in whole or in part to the particular genius loci. In contemporary usage, genius loci usually refers to a location’s distinctive atmosphere, or the sense of place.

4. Design concept — What is the design of the building trying to achieve or communicate? Is there any symbolic meaning behind the design for the building form and the spatial experience created?

5. Functional considerations — What practical considerations guided the architects while they were working on these projects? What factors influenced the design’s space and form?

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Central Government Complex

Creation of forms

Space created Sense of place

Design concept Functional considerations

Central Government Complex Location: TamarCompletion year: 2011 Architect: Rocco Design Architects Limited

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Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building (Tin Shui Wai Municipal Services Building)Location: Tin Shui WaiCompletion year: 2011 Architect: Architectural Services Department



Creation of forms



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[Additional Information]

p Design process of composition © Architectural Services Department

p West elevation (façade) © Architectural Services Department

p South elevation © Architectural Services Department

p Section © Architectural Services Department


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The Diamond Hill Crematorium Location: Diamond HillCompletion year: 2009 Architect: Architectural Services Department


Diamond Hill Crematorium

Creation of forms



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p Plan of the podium level of Diamond Hill Crematorium. Visitors arrive at the lower level and pass through the circular courtyard before entering the service hall. The coffin of the deceased enters the service hall via a separate route, and is then transported underground to the crematory. © Architectural Services Department

Paths for visitors

Paths for coffins

p The west elevation of the Diamond Hill Crematorium. © Architectural Services Department

[Additional Information] Diamond Hill Crematorium

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Hong Kong Wetland ParkLocation: Tin Shui WaiCompletion year: 2005 Architect: Architectural Services Department

Hong Kong Wetland Park

Creation of forms



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Organizer Sponsor Research Team


Key words

Summary

Further reading1. Ching, Francis D. K. Architecture: Form, Space, and Order, 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007.

2. Eckler, James F. Language of Space and Form: Generative Terms for Architecture. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2012.

3. Venturi, Robert. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. New York: MoMA, 1996.

4. Foundation of Le Corbusier website h t tp : / /www. fonda t ion lecorbus ie r. f r / co rbuweb/mor pheusaspx?sysName=home&sysLanguage= f r - f r&sys In fos=1

5. Gehry Partners, LLP website h t tp : / /www. foga . com/

6. Tado Ando Architect and Associates website h t tp : / /www. tadao-ando.com/ index_eng.h tm l

7. Pei Cobb Freed & Partners website h t tp : / /www.pc f -p. com/

8. Rocco Design Architects Limited website h t tp : / /www. r occo.hk /

FormSpaceFenestrationEnclosureFacade ElevationPlan

1. In architectural language, the relationship between form and space is often conceived as a ‘solid- void relationship‘.2. Form contains functional spaces and space offers particular experiences.3. Parameters controlling form and space include shapes, dimensions, proportions, materials, colours and textures.4. Different kinds of forms and spaces are created in response to functional requirements, context, or the architect’s desire to create a unique spatial experience.

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