Form and
Space: The Unity of Opposites
Visually we tend to organize elements into two
opposing groups, positive and negative. We perceive positive elements as
figures in the foreground and negative elements as the space in the background.
Even though they are opposing, one cannot exist without the other, which
creates “a unity of opposites.”
Resource: Blogger.com
These modified images of a home, clearly represent the unity of opposites and the relationship between positive and negative space. In the first picture, the positive element is the house in the foreground while the negative element is the space in the background. When you swap the colors of the elements in the second picture, it then appears that the space around the home is in the foreground.
Defining
Space with Horizontal Elements
Horizontal Elements are used to define types of
spaces.Elevated Base Plane
When a vertical plane
is lifted above the ground to structurally support the form and mass of
a building, it is considered to be an elevated base plane.
Resource: stwarchitects.com
In this Picture of the Tallon House designed by Ronnie Tallon, The structure is sitting on top of an elevated base plane to separate it from the ground plane. This design was inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth house which was also elevated.
Defining
Space with Vertical Linear Elements
Vertical elements, like columns, help to establish the visual limits of a volume's spatial field.
Single Vertical Plane
A freestanding, single
plane that articulates a vertical amount of space.
Resource: ancient.eu
This image of the Arch of Titus is a good example of a single vertical linear plane. Even though it has an arch cutting though the middle, it is still easy to see its clear definition of vertical space.
Openings in
Space Defining Elements
Openings in planes provide a space with visual
continuity. These openings are mostly in the form of windows or doors and can
be located within planes, at the corners, or between planes.
Openings
Between Planes
A vertical or
horizontal opening that separates two planes.
Resource: homeli.co.uk
This image of a full wall size window clearly shows an opening between planes implemented in an interior space. The plane of window separates not only the two wall planes but also the floor and ceiling planes.
Qualities
of Architectural Space
The qualities of space include its form, color,
texture, pattern, sound, scale, and the light. It is the biggest factor of determining
how a user experiences a space. The degree of enclosure, light, and view of a
space are the largest considerations in this.
Degree
of Enclosure
The degree of enclosure
of a space is the visual boundaries a viewer sees when inside of a room.
Resource: pickupedia.com
Resource: pages.jh.edu
My example is an aerial view into a computer generated room. The highlighted area shows the degree of enclosure that would be visible to the occupant inside.
All the images are well selected!! Your definitions are clear and easy to understand! and I like your layout, everything seems very organized. :))
ReplyDeleteGreat visual diagrams and interpretations of words selected. Everything was clear and simple. Maybe a little more information on the vertical and horizontal planes would have been nice for understanding more about their influence within space. Nice templates and theme.
ReplyDeleteGreat example for defining space with horizontal elements. I think you clearly described how the home's floor plane was elevated above the ground to define the space and to show how the home is structurally supported.
ReplyDeleteI loved all your images! Definitions were pretty straight forward.
ReplyDeleteI love your diagrams. They are clean and simple. Also, good job on the layout of your blog.
ReplyDelete-Danielle Dean
Morgan, I love the photos you used for this post. They are all so beautiful and unique, but still help to portray the definitions. I also really like your layout. It's interesting and striking without being too over powering.
ReplyDelete