Final Size Matters

8/2/2019 Final Size Matters

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2 | S i z e M a t t e r s : A S t u d y o n S p a c e P e r c e p t i o n o f L a n d m a r k s i n U P D

3. Introduction and Historical Background:

The experience of space begins with the stimulation of our senses, and we

associate many things as we perceive them through kinesthesis. Our sense of sight

greatly affects how we intuit things and through our eyes we connect sense of

direction, orientation, forms and volumes, and dimensions that virtually make up how

we go through in our living. We can selectively identify tangible things both

significant and insignificant relatively on what we value, and think or feel that is

important especially if these things assist us in achieving our goals. In terms of

experiencing our physical environment through movement in its space and time,

objects are used to act as points of reference as we navigate. Path-space

interrelationships and way finding are assisted by these objects that make familiarity

with space easy and intelligible. These objects are commonly called landmarks.

According to Lynch1, landmarks are points of reference considered to be external

to the observer and are simple physical elements which may vary in scale. They act

as guides, and needs to be unique. The key physical characteristic of this is

singularity-being unique and memorable in its context. Landmarks become more

easily identifiable, more likely to be chosen as significant, if they have a clear form,

good contrast with the background and, are prominent of spatial location.

Throughout history, we can find enormous

amount of structures and artefacts that served as

important landmarks for the people. Its design is

influenced by lots of factors like the ideals of society,

the inspiration from religion, power of the

government, their instinctive response to climatic,

adaptation to their geography, and a lot more

unapparent but contributing factors. Most of these

hold cultural significance and evidently proportionate

in its meaning are their volume and size. From the

development of the Great Pyramids in Gizeh, elegant

obelisks that set as good point of reference to the

entry of the Egyptian temples, to building of majestic and tall ziggurats where

religious practices and political power are symbolized. Greek temples that glean

Figure 1: Roman Coliseum


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attention perched on hills were in good contrast to the clear skies due to its white

marble and perfect proportions, and the nodal Roman Coliseum that is identifiable

as total entertainment to some or a symbol of oppression and corruption. These

great structures serve as landmarks in the city aside from serving their function and

purpose, became images and icons of their civilization.

Size and scale are imperative to these structures as they command

prominence and were programmed to inspire awe to whoever who see them. Like

the domes of Hagia Sophia and St. Basils Cathedral, lofty Gothic Cathedrals of

Chartres and Cologne that marked the Byzantine and Gothic power set in stark

contrast among the background of mediocre structures then achieving the sought

after uniqueness and the ability to stand out among the ordinary.

Then came the age of urban

growth, socialism, and the intellectual

development of man, the importance to

landmarks as points of reference were

increasingly adapted to its abstract

meaning though scale is still very

important as the idea of it being

recognizable from afar, these markers in

the urban city became stabilizers and

tools of order. Fine examples are tall piazza towers like the Piazza del Campo Siena

as unique shape set as against the skyline and chaotic urban fabric. The Eiffel

Tower in its showcase of modernity and technological innovations became the icon

of mans achievement and advancement in science. Up to the modern period where

we can see the application of abstracts to the meaning of structures like the

skyscrapers that dot the city skylines marking not only the site of the central

business districts but as emblem of progress and abundance. These landmarks are

successful in their own right as they tell important story and meaning that reinforces

its essence and being.

The forms of these markers vary from simple geometries like cubes similar to

the Kaaba in Mecca, pyramids like the entrance structure to the Louvre Museum in

Paris, and spherical like the Geodesic Dome of Expo 67. Many are monolithic and

phallic in form, which is a demonstration of the male dominated building practice and

patriarchal societies. Examples of these celebration of verticality are obelisks, towers

Figure 2: Piazza del Campo


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and keeps, not to mention the sinuous skyscrapers

like the modern creations of Norman Foster (Swiss

Re Headquarters) and Jean Nouvel (Torre Agbar).

Mostly are superlative in its size and height. Talking

about the spatial prominence that is a prime

characteristic of landmarks, it is achieved by making

these markers highly visible from any locations.

These structures should be set in local contrast with

its nearby elements. The Duomo of Florence is a

prime example of a distant landmark: visible from

near and far, by day or night, unmistakable

dominant by size and shape, traditions, religion and

transit center coincidently is within its influence.

Although much of these remarkable structures highly qualify as landmarks,

Lynch2 said some local elements that become landmarks appears to depend as

much upon how familiar the observer is with his surroundings. Other sensory

experiences like smell and sounds sometimes reinforce the visual landmarks,

although they did not seem to constitute landmarks themselves. Any object that

displays clear contrast with its context may constitute the quality as a landmark to an

individual. Some local elements that become landmarks appear to depend as much

upon how familiar the observer is with his surroundings.

4. Significance of the Study

As an indispensable element in a city, landmarks play important role in the

identity of the place. It acts as reference points, as tools of way finding, and an aid

to people in relating direction and orientation. Not to mention its social and cultural

significance, these markers and structures add to the responsiveness of the city to

its inhabitants. However, some of these markers in our local setting were ineffective

and ignored due to inferior design. In Manila, where history and the story of people

is as diverse as its physical environment, objects of interest and reference lack

proper attention and articulation in its context. Most of these landmarks be it

monumental and a lucid display of artistic qualities were ill sited and suffer from

poor attention from the public. Value would be nil for these structures mentioning its

cultural and psychological impact wouldnt it have been properly designed. As

physical landmarks rely its success in our sense of vision, the study aims to verify

Figure 3: Torre Agbar, Barcelona asa phallic landmark


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and investigate the measurable factors that affects the peoples visual perception on

the landmarks aside from the cultural significance and context. The resultant

assessment would be useful as design considerations for proponents of landmark

construction especially architects and urban planners. The derived principles in

scale, size and proportion that practically affect our perception of spaces will

expectantly enhance the design and help in the fulfilment of function of these

landmarks.

5. Description of Study Area

The study area is the University of the Philippines, one of the premier

institutions of education in the Philippines that boasts of its abounding history and a

stash of architectural marvels. Filipinos are familiar with this state university as it

home to multitude of important and influential personalities that shaped the nation. It

is also the school for the young scholars of the country coming from different facets

and social statuses. Situated in the center of Diliman, Quezon City and strategically

near other important institutions in the country, the university campus itself is a city.

Endowed with interactive communities

of students, faculty and professionals set

amidst lush greeneries and vernacular

architecture, UP Diliman is an interesting

study area for this study. Various historical

and cultural landmarks abound the famed

academic oval which in itself is an identifiable

feature with the university. Works of art and

architecture can be seen in this campus as it

became laboratory of creativity and careful

experimentation of place making and urban

planning. Masterpiece of national artist like

Nakpil, Tolentino, and Locsin to name a few

are installed and built here. Figure 4: UP Diliman Map as base foridentifying the landmarks


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6. Research Methodology

Generalized field reconnaissance covering the site is foremost in gathering

pertinent data and actual information for this study. Architectural photography would

best verify and capture the visual experience and perception vital to extraction of

values and observation data needed for analysis and verification of theories. Desk

research is also used as support to the framework of the study. A report on the

descriptive part of the identified landmarks and structures, plotting of general

patterns and identification of each structures strengths and weaknesses shall also

be completed. The test would be analyzed for frequency of identification of the

elements and their connections

To validate and verify theories on visual perception and its relation to the

qualitative aspect of design and architectural mensuration, an interview of different

people with different backgrounds and knowledge of the study area would be asked

to identify and mark the structures or features that they identify on the given map

with the interviewees knowledge to move about without too much difficulty. A follow

up questionnaire will find out about the descriptive qualities they associate with the

landmarks they identified like size, height, unique character, symbolic image,

visibility and their personal remarks about collective memories or events they

correlate with these structures. These data and materials would finally be

synthesized in charts and report. Inter-relating the findings from the survey and the

site reconnaissance will derive the justifiable assessment about the topic.

7. Review of Related Literature

Human scale is a measure of real size- the dimension of the buildings,

squares and streets are compared with the proportions of the human figure. It is

Figure 6: Palma HallFigure 5: Carillon


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commonly recorgnized that buildings should take account of the scale of the

human figure, and should if possible express this dimension by its own

subdivisions. (Moughtin, 2003)

According to H. Maertens3, the part of our field of vision occupied by any

object is defined by the rays from the outline of the object to the eyes. This

general field of vision is of two overlapping irregular conical shapes, about 30 deg

above the eyes, 45 deg below and 65 deg to each side. In addition, to the general

field of vision there is detailed field of vision which is very narrow cone within the

larger one. According to the research, the difference is determined by this narrow

cone measuring one minute which means we cannot distinguish any object at a

distance more than 3,500 times its size! It is the limitations set by this geometry

that defines the varieties of urban scale.

In addition, concerning the issue of articulation of form we could use the

theory of vision that at a distance of 35 meters the human face become

featureless. We can distinguish people at 12m and a person can be recognized

at 22.5 m body gestures can be discerned at 135 m this is also the distance that

a man can be distinguished from a woman. We can see people as such up to

1200 meters.

I just thought that theres a relationship on how the landmarks were set in

the urbanscape. Size matters alongside with its visibility. Visibility can be

controlled by adjusting its scale and setup on the ground along side with its

relationship with other adjacent buildings. UP Oblation is identifiable because it is

clustered and associated with the artistic building behind it. Lynch5

also

admonished that important point, that landmarks may be isolated just like the

monuments and other monolithic points of references, except for the large and

very singular landmarks, are weak landmarks since they are easy to miss and

required sustained searching.

According to the notes of Leonardo da Vinci6, since the eye sends out a

multitude of lines which surround this chief central one and since these which are

farthest from the centre in this cone of lines are less able to discern with

accuracy, it follows that an object brought close to the eye is not at a due

distance, but is too near for the central line to be able to discern the outlines of

the object. So the edges fall within the lines of weaker discerning power, and

these are to the function of the eye like dogs in the chase which can put up the

game but cannot take it. Thus these cannot take in the objects, but induce the


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central line of sight to turn upon them, when they have put them up. Hence the

objects which are seen with these lines of sight have confused outlines.

Another study of the philosopher Aristotle7 and renaissance theorists

states that buildingss unity and wholeness should be perceived at a glance and

the maximum angle at which a building can be seen clearly in this way is at

27deg, which was reinforced by the research work done by Maertens. These

studies in theories of optics are important principles in the study of visual

perception which supports facts that affects our sensory appreciation of the

landmarks.

8. Findings and Assessments

The survey revealed realizations and verified measurable factors that affects

our visual perception of the landmarks. Identifying the structures or physical

Figure 7: Identifiable UP Landmarks according to Survey

features that the respondents marked on the survey map, a list is generated and

percentage is obtained. Refer to figure 5: Identified UP Landmarks. It is found out

that UP is identified with the Oblation. Interestingly, Palma Hall is also identified

as the College of Arts and Letters though some mistakenly identify it as the

building behind the Oblation. Most of the respondents are not familiar with the

name of the buildings and name it after the college they house, like Melchor Hall

with the College of Engineering, Benitez Hall with the College of Education and

the Architecture Building. Sunken Garden got a high percentage too though its

location is mistakenly marked on the map. The Library is linked visually with the

Sunken Garden.

Identifiable Landmarks

Oblation

Palma Hall

Sunken Garden

College Bldg

Library

Melchor Hall

others


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Quezon Hall which is the

background building of the

Oblation is coincidentally

identified with the naked

statue of the Oblation. As the

graph below shows, the statue

of Oblation is also referred to

as tall and big. Visibility from

afar is an important feature of

the landmark, which is

attributed to the strategic siting of the Oblation at the end of the visual axis made

by the University Avenue.

Figure 9: Descriptive Qualities Attributed to UP Oblation

Single landmarks unless they are dominant ones, are likely to be weak

references themselves. This observation supports the theory that if they are

supported or clustered with bigger structures they reinforce each other in additive

way. Oblation in UP is identifiable with the Quezon Hall such located to act as big

backdrop. Support for this statement is evident in other equally important

landmarks that are not identifiable like the Tribute to Higher Education located

along the University Avenue, the Nine Muses which are fenced in and covered

along eye level with a wall, the El Grito de Balintawak in front of Vinzons Hall

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

size height visibility

big/tall/farsmall/short/near

Figure 8: Quezon Hall and the Oblation


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1 0 | S i z e M a t t e r s : A S t u d y o n S p a c e P e r c e p t i o n o f L a n d m a r k s i n U P D

which is surprisingly unidentified but near the identifiable jeepney station to

Katipunan Avenue.

Figure 10: The Carillon hidden

Unexpectedly, the Carillon which is taller and bigger in scale is not

included in the list! It is equally important and significant culturally in the UP

community, though most of the respondents identify

UP Theatre rather than this tall and big landmark.

Architecturally it is a well articulated building, but

poor visibility from afar and lack of enough setbacks

made it unidentifiable.

Size matters in the visual perception of

landmarks along with clear sight lines and good

visibility. Smaller landmarks are better to be clustered big structures to enhance

its visibility. Cultural significance easily identify and add value to the landmarks

Good location is also an important consideration.


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Applying the theory of optics and cone of vision, we can derive the

effective clear distances these landmarks should maintain to make it identifiable

and be effectively serve its purpose and be properly appreciated. The result of

the tangential computation is that the clear distance is approximately twice the

height of the landmark structure.

A landmark is yet stronger if visible over an extended range of time or

distance, more useful if the direction of view can be distinguished. If identifiable

from near or far, while moving rapidly or slowly, by night or day, it then become a

stable anchor of perception of the complex and shifting urban world.

Recommedations and design considerations stemmed out of this study

are the following:

1. Landmarks should be carefully designed with consideration to its location andscale. Smaller landmarks should be clustered with bigger structures or

landmarks to maximize the effect of the landmark.

2. Control of the landmark and its context may be needed: like the restriction of

signs to be specified surfaces, height limits which apply to the adjacent

structures while maintaining a minimum clearance of two times its height.

3. Clear visibility from afar is an important site consideration for the landmarks.

Walls or structures that visually block the landmark must be avoided. Trees


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may enhance its site development but landscaping materials like trees must

avoid being an obstruction.

4. It can be remarkable if it has clarity of the general form, as does a column or a

sphere, if it also have some richness of detail and texture, it will surely invite

the eye.

Cities are beautiful with well designed elements. This contributes to the

overall goal of making quality places of work, live and play, which is a factor in

improving the quality of our lives.

9. References

Lynch, Kevin. The Image of the City (USA: MIT Press, 1960)

Moughtin, Cliff. Urban Design: Street and Square (3rd ed.; Oxford Great Britain, 2003)

Richter, Jean Paul ed.The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, 1880

H. Maertens. The Optical Scale in the Plastic Arts, (2nd ed., Wasmuth Berlin 1884)

Aristotle. Op cit, p404

http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.08/j/Jolie1.html
http://www.fromoldbooks.org/Richter-NotebooksOfLeonardo/http://www.fromoldbooks.org/Richter-NotebooksOfLeonardo/http://www.fromoldbooks.org/Richter-NotebooksOfLeonardo/http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.08/j/Jolie1.htmlhttp://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.08/j/Jolie1.htmlhttp://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.08/j/Jolie1.htmlhttp://www.fromoldbooks.org/Richter-NotebooksOfLeonardo/

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