THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES:
In order for us to see a visual field or
composition, our eyes divide what we are looking at into two groups: positive
elements and negative elements. We perceive positive elements as figures (form)
and negative elements as the background for the figures (space).
The way we see a composition or visual field
depends on how we interpret they way the positive and negative elements
interact with each other.
When put together, figures and their backgrounds
create a unity of opposites.
In the diagrammatic example below, the pink box
represents the positive element and the black background represents the
negative element. Because they are opposites, together they make unity of
opposites.
See below an example of this with form and space
in architecture. The structure highlighted in red is the positive element and
the background is the negative element.
Photo: Dynia, Stephen. John Dodge Residence. (2012).
Overlay: Mine
DEFINING SPACE WITH HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS
Just as a two dimensional figure on a piece of
paper defines what the space around it is shaped like, a three dimensional
figure does the same thing in the space that its in.
When we define space with horizontal elements,
we are looking at the effect that horizontal elements has on the space around
it.
There are 4 types of horizontal elements that
are commonly seen: base plane, elevated base plane, depressed base plane, and
an overhead plane.
See below
a diagrammatic example of an elevated base plane.
Below is a picture of a depressed base plane as
a pool.
Photo: Wettling Architects. Hamptons Cottage. (2013).
Overlay: Mine
DEFINING SPACE WITH VERTICAL LINEAR ELEMENTS:
Vertical linear elements have a greater presence
than horizontal elements do. They are important in separating one space from
another and establishing a common boundary between interior and exterior
spaces.
They serve to structurally support floor and
roof planes and are essential for controlling the flow of air, heat, and sound
through interior spaces.
A vertical linear element defines the
perpendicular edges of a volume of space. The different types of vertical
linear elements include single vertical planes, L-shaped planes, parallel
planes, U-shaped planes, and closure planes.
See below a diagrammatic example of an L-shaped
vertical plane.
A vertical element can also assert itself when
centered in a space. It becomes the center of the visual field and defines
spaces between itself and surround planes. See below an example of this.
The Eiffel Tower does this because of how it is
positioned in the city. It serves to separate areas of the space its in.
Photo: Eiffel, Gustatave. Eiffel Tower. (1889).
Overlay: Mine
QUALITIES
OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE:
The qualities of architectural space go beyond
the basic patterns of linear and planar elements that make up discrete volumes
of space. The qualities of an architectural space include form, proportion,
scale, texture, light, and sound. These qualities all depend on the enclosure
of the space.
The qualities of a room are influenced by the
size, shape, and location of openings or voids in an enclosing form of a space.
These qualities include degree of enclosure, view or outlook, and light.
The degree of enclosure is the form of the
space, the view or outlook is the focus of the space, and light is the
illumination of its surfaces and forms.
See below a diagrammatic example of an enclosure
with openings or voids and notice how they affect the form of the enclosure.
See below how the half wall and cased opening
change the degree of enclosure in this living room.
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING ELEMENTS:
Without openings in an enclosing space, there
would be no spatial or visual continuity with adjacent spaces. Such openings
include windows, which allow light and airflow in a space and doors, which offer
entry into rooms affecting the movement through the rooms.
Even though openings provide all these things for
a space, depending on their size and quantity, they can weaken the enclosure of
a space.
Openings occur within planes, at corners, or
between planes.
See below a diagrammatic example of an opening
within a plane.
See below a corner opening and notice how it
changes the form of the enclosure.
