The document discusses the functions and classification of squares. It states that squares serve as gathering places for community and provide shelter from traffic. The physical and psychological functions do not depend on size. Squares are classified as closed, dominated, nuclear, grouped, or amorphous based on their spatial configuration and surrounding buildings. Closed squares have complete enclosure by buildings, while dominated squares feature a focal building. Nuclear squares center around a strong vertical element, and grouped squares combine individual spaces organically. Amorphous squares lack a specific shape.

1. THE
SQUARE
IN SPACE AND
TIME
Submitted To:
Ar. Deepti Vyas
Ar. Rupesh Kochure
Submitted By:
Preeti Prajapati
B.Arch Sem 8 (B)
URBANDESIGN

2. FUNCTIONS OF A SQUARE
Creates a gathering place for the people
Provide a shelter against the haphazard
traffic
Free them from the tension of rushing
through the web of street
Represents as a psychological parking
space within the civic landscape.
Humanizing them by mutual contact
Served as an opportunity to exercise the
power of the rulers with military
processions and parades.
Square is an open public space used for community gatherings
FACTORS THAT FORMULATE THE SQUARE
On the relation between the forms of the
surrounding buildings
On the uniformity or their variety
On their absolute dimensions
On relative proportions in comparison
with width and length of the open area
On the angle of entering the streets
The physical and psychological function of
the square does not depend on size or
scale.
St. Peter’s Square, Rome St. Mark’s Square, Venice Place Vendome, Paris

3. THE ARCHETYPES
Square consists of three space
confining elements
Surrounding structures, floor and the
imaginary sphere of the sky above
Elements are decisively defined by
the 2-dimentional layout of square
These 3 factors that produce final 3-
dimensional effect may vary in
themselves
CLASSIFICATION OF SQUARES
•Closed Square: Space Self Contained
•Dominated Square: Space Directed
•Nuclear Square: Space formed around a
centre
•Grouped Square: Space units combined
•Amorphous Square: Space Unlimited
Squares doesn’t represent only one pure
type, but very often bears the
characteristics of two of these types
Place de la Concorde, Paris

4. CLOSED SQUARE
It is complete enclosure
interrupted only by the
streets leading to it
Primary element of any
closed square is its layout
of regular geometrical
form
Each façade fulfills a dual
function
On one hand, it is a part of
an individual structure; and
on the other hand, it forms a
part of a common urban
spatial order
Continuity and context of
the framing structures were
achieved by the Colonnade
and arched arcades
Characterized by one individual structure or a group of
building towards which the open space is directed
Dominated building may be a Church, a palace, a
town hall, an architecturally developed fountain, a
theatre etc
Compels the spectator to move toward and to look at
the focal architecture
DOMINATED SQUARE
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

5. NUCLEAR SQUARE
It consist of a nucleus, a
strong vertical accent- a
monument, a fountain, an
obelisk
It is powerful enough to
charge the space around
with a tension that the
impression of the square
will be evoked
GROUPED SQUARES
Individual squares are fused
organically and aesthetically
into one comprehensive
whole
Each unit represents an
entity, aesthetically self
sufficient and yet part of a
comprehensive higher order
Sequence of squares develop
in a straight axis
Formless,
unorganized and have
no specific shape
Doesn’t depends on
the aesthetic qualities
AMORPHOUS
SQUARE
New York’s Washington Square
Nelson’s Column, London