Circulation

Building Approach

The approach of a building is the first phase of the circulation system. It is the path that we take to the entrance of a building. While on this path, we get prepared to experience what is inside the building. Different types of approaches include frontal, oblique, and spiral approaches.

A frontal approach leads directly to the entrance of a building and it is a completely straight shot to the entrance. An oblique approach is when the path you take redirects the user to the door. A spiral approach makes the path to the entrance much longer. Sometimes the entrance is not visible until the user reaches a certain point on the path. See below a diagrammatic example of an oblique path.

See below an example of a house that has an oblique approach.

Photo: Hart's Design. Spring Parade of Homes. (2014).

Overlay: Mine

Building Entrance

The act of entering a building involves penetrating a vertical plane that distinguishes one space from another by separating the two spaces. Entering can be marked in subtle ways, such as passage through an implied plane or passage into another space that is separated from the other space by variation in level. An entrance into a space is defined as a real or implied plane perpendicular to the path of the approach.

Difference entrances include flush, projected, and recessed entrances. A flush entrance is one that maintains the continuity of the vertical plane. A projected entrance is created by the addition of a transitional space, which provides overhead shelter. A recessed entrance provides shelter as well as it receives part of the exterior space into the form of the building. See below a diagrammatic example of a recessed entrance.

See below an example of a house with a recessed entrance.

Photo: Alchemy Design. Nethermead Residence. (2014). 

Overlay: Mine

Configuration of the Path

The organizational patterns of spaces that are linked by a path are influenced by and influence the configuration of a path. The configuration of paths in a building helps the user orient themselves within a building. The different configurations of paths include linear, radial, spiral, grid, network, and composite paths.

A linear path is a straight path that can be curvilinear, segmented, intersect other paths, have branches, or form a loop. A radial configuration is a configuration that has linear paths radiating from a central point. A spiral configuration is one continuous path that starts from a central point and revolves around it becoming increasingly distant from it. A grid configuration is one that consists of two sets of paths that are parallel to each other and intersect at regular intervals creating a grid. A network configuration is one that has paths that connect at established points in space. A composite configuration is one that is a combination of the preceding configurations. See below a diagrammatic example of a radial configuration of paths.

See below an example of a building with a spiral configuration.

Photo: Meier, Richard. High Museum of Art. (2010).

Overlay: Mine

Path-Space Relationships

Paths are related to spaces in three different ways: pass by spaces, pass through spaces, and terminate in a space. Paths that pass by spaces are able to maintain the integrity of each space and the configuration of the path connecting the spaces is flexible. Paths that pass through spaces can pass through axially, obliquely, or along the edge of a space. Because it cuts through a space, it creates movement and resting points within the space. Paths that are terminated in a space are used to approach and enter important spaces and the location of the space establishes the path. See below a diagrammatic example of the path-space relationship that passes through spaces.

See below an example of a path-space relationship that is categorized as a pass by spaces.

Photo: Farinelli Construction, Inc. Gallery Hall. (2012).

Overlay: Mine

Form of the Circulation Space

The form of a circulation space can be defined as the way that people move, pause, and rest within a space. The form and scale of a circulation space should accommodate all of these things. Forms of circulation spaces vary depending on how its boundaries are defined, how its form relates to the forms of the spaces it links, its scale, proportion, light, and view.

The three types of circulation spaces include enclosed, open on one side, and open on both sides. An enclosed circulation of space forms a private enclosure that relates to the spaces it links by way of entrances in a wall plane. An open on one side circulation space forms a balcony type enclosure that is open on one side to create a view on spatial continuity with the spaces it links. An open on both sides circulation space forms a colonnade type passageway that physically extends from the space it passes through. See below a diagrammatic example of an open on one side circulation space.

See below an example of this happening in a photo of this house.

Photo: Structure Home. Spanish/Andalusian House. (2014).

Overlay: Mine