This document discusses the definition and organization of space. It explores how space is defined by elements like floors, columns, walls, doors, windows, stairs, and roofs. It examines how these elements can be manipulated in different configurations, like single walls, L-shaped walls, or U-shaped walls, to define both positive and negative space. The positioning and shaping of these spatial elements influences the patterns of movement, use, light, and ventilation within an area.

1. S P A C E

2. CAN SPACE BE
DEFINED?

3. ◦It is an inherently formless vapor.
◦As space begins to be- captured, enclosed, molded, and organized by the elements of mass, architecture
comes into its being.

4. Positive
Space
Negative
Space
+
3D
SPACE
WHITE
SPACE
SPACE

6. SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

7. Elements of space making
Floor Column Wall Door Window Stair Roof

8. FLOOR

9. Base plane
A horizontal plane lying on the floor defines a simple field of
space
Elevated base plane
A horizontal plane elevated above the Ground plane
Depressed base plane
A horizontal plane depressed into the Ground plane
Over head plane
A horizontal plane located over head

10. BASE PLANE
Interior of Glass House, New Canaan, Connecticut, 1949, Philip Johnson

11. ELEVATED BASE PLANE

12. DEPRESSED BASE PLANE
◦Lowering a portion of the base plane
isolates a field of space from a larger
context.

13. Protective Qualities

14. OVERHEAD BASE PLANE
The form, color, texture, and pattern of the ceiling plane can be manipulated as well to improve the quality of
light or sound within a space or give it a directional quality or orientation.

15. As in the case of the base plane, the ceiling plane can be manipulated to define and articulate zones
of space within a room.
Well-defined negative areas or voids within an overhead plane, such as for skylights, can be seen as
positive shapes that establish the presence of spatial fields below their openings.

16. COLUMNS

17. ◦ Typological
variations
◦ Orders

18. ◦ A vertical supporting element –loaded
from top and axially transferring the load
to the base.
◦ Column marks as a focus of space.
◦ Sense of direction and they create a movement.
◦ Creating enclosure

19. Creates strong
presence in form and
position

21. WALLS

22. Vertical elements
Vertical linear elements define the
perpendicular edges of a volume of
space
Single Vertical Plane
A single vertical plane articulates the
space on which it fronts.
L-shaped Plane
An L-shaped configuration of
vertical planes generates a field
of space from its corner
outward along a diagonal axis.

23. Four Planes: Closure
Four vertical planes establish
the boundaries of an
introverted space and influence
the field of space around the
enclosure.
U-shaped Plane
A U-shaped configuration
of vertical planes defines a
volume of space that is
oriented primarily toward
the open end of the
configuration.
Parallel Planes
Two parallel vertical planes
define a volume of space
between them that is
oriented axially toward both
open ends of the
configuration.

24. SINGLE VERTICAL PLANE

25. L- SHAPED PLANES

26. PARALLEL PLANES

27. U- SHAPED PLANES

28. FOUR PLANES :CLOSURE

29. DOORS

30. OPENINGS IN SPACE DEFINING ELEMENTS
◦visual continuity
◦influence the patterns of
movement and use within it.
◦natural ventilation of the space.

31. WINDOWS

32. OPENINGS
WITHIN PLANES: An
opening can be located
wholly within a wall or
ceiling
OPENINGS
AT CORNERS : An opening
can be located along one edge
or at a corner of a wall or
ceiling plane.
OPENINGS
BETWEEN PLANES : An
opening can extend
vertically between the
floor and ceiling planes or
horizontally between two
wall planes.

33. WITHIN PLANES

34. OPENINGS AT CORNERS

35. OPENINGS BETWEEN PLANES

36. STAIRS

37. ◦ A set of steps leading from one floor to
another floor in a building.
STAIR
◦ Straight staircase
◦ Dog legged
◦ Stair well
◦ Spiral stairs
◦ Helical Staircase
◦ Escalators
◦ Ramps

38. ◦ Sense of direction and they
create a movement.
◦ Movement in volume- space and
orientation
Spatial Role
◦ Step as pedestal, seat , threshold
◦ Movement guide, physical link
◦ Space modulator, display and
store
◦ Ventilation shaft
◦ Stair as device/instrument

39. ROOF

40. ◦ A shelter denoting space and implying volume.
◦ The position of element is such that it manifests as the first effort to
form a finite datum as enclosure.
◦ Flat roof ◦ Inclined roof
◦ Hipped roof
◦ Lean to roof
◦ Curved Roof- hyperbolic & parabolic
◦ Curved roof- Dome
◦ Curved Roof- Vault

41. ◦ Folded plate roof ◦ Tensile membrane roof
◦ Space frame roof

42. ◦ Roof as spatial Enclosure
◦ Modulator of volume
◦ Encoder of Symbol
◦ Image maker

44. T H A N K Y O U