This document discusses the concepts of function, form, and space in architecture. It explains that architecture provides services through its designed function, like treating patients in a hospital or learning in a school. The form of a building is its exterior envelope that encloses interior space. Space is the void area inside a building where activities take place. Key factors that define spaces are enclosure, approach and entry, circulation, light, comfort, size, and shape. Horizontal and vertical planes, as well as the building form, are space-defining elements that enclose interior voids and create distinct exterior spaces. Function determines the design of spaces, which are then defined by their enclosing architectural elements.

1. Function, Form and Space in
Architecture
CHAPTER TWO

2. Function in Architecture
• Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings
• Every building is designed to give services
• Hospital – where patients will treated
• Court House – where you find justice
• Theater – where you see a play
• Hotel- where you recreate
•School – where you learn
• House – where you live
• The serviceability of any building and its design- FUNCTION

3. Function in Architecture (cont…)
• The void part of a building - SPACE
• Through which we enter, circulate, wonder and undertake different activities
• The envelop or outer part of a building - FORM
• Which we see, look, observe and admire
• FORM is the envelop of SPACE
• FORM is exterior, where as SPACE is interior of the building
• FORM differentiate out side and inside
• SPACE is voideness
• Both SPACE and FORM have function

4. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Functional Aspects of a space of a Building
1. Enclosure
2. Approach & Entry
3. Circulation
4. Light
5. Comfort
6. Size
7. Shape

5. Function in Architecture (cont…)
1. Enclosure
• A building houses different activities
• Some activities need differentiation
• Sleeping and Bathing
• Spaces for these activities should
be divided by
• walls, floors and ceilings
• Building Components to divide spaces
are called Space Defining Elements
• FORM is enclosure of interior space
• FORM protects the interior of a building from weather

6. Function in Architecture (cont…)
2. Approach and Entry
• To undertake different activities in a FRONTAL
building we should approach and access it
• The process of being near a building
is APPROACH DIAGONAL
• Types of Approach
• Frontal: emphasis front view
• Diagonal: shows effects of perspective ROUND
• Round: emphasis form of building

7. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Approach and Entry (cont…)
• The gate that allows you to enter in to a building
or rooms of a building is called Entry (Entrance)
• Entry to a building should be emphasized and easy to identify
• Types of Entry
• Flush: on the wall
• Projected: coming out from the wall
• Recessed: coming into the interior

8. Function in Architecture (cont…)
3. Circulation
• We need to be able to reach furniture, equipment and other facilities to perform
some tasks.
• A process of wondering through a space of a building - Circulation
• Types of Circulation
• Circulation within a room: interior space
• Horizontal circulation from one room to another: corridor
• Vertical Circulation from one floor to another: Stair, Elevator, Ramp
• Circulation should be
• easy to identify
• comfortable to move through
• sizable enough to allow people and furniture to pass

9. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Circulation (cont…)
Forms of Circulation
• Enclosed
• Open one side
• Open on both sides

10. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Circulation (cont…
• Open one side circulation

11. Function in Architecture (cont…)
4. Light
• To undertake different activities in rooms, we need light
• Light also affects the feeling that we feel in a room
• Sources of Light
• Artificial Light: costly, unfriendly and controlled
• Natural Light: no cost, friendly and reliable
• Combined: good distribution of light
• Natural Light Sources in Building
- Window
- Sky Light
-Glass Curtain Wall
-Open Down

12. Function in Architecture (cont…)
5. Comfort
• Ventilation
• A room should have the appropriate temperature to feel the occupants
comfort
• This can be done by replacing existing room hot air by fresh air
• This process is called ventilation
• Two kinds of Ventilation
• Artificial Ventilation
• Natural Ventilation

13. Function in Architecture (cont…)
6. Size
• Diff. activities take place in spaces
• In addition to the activities,
the space should be big enough to house
• Users
• Furniture & Fixtures
• Equipment
• Vehicles
• Internal Circulation
• Spatial Functionality Criteria related with size
• Proportion
• Users, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment Accommodation
• Circulation Provision

14. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Size (cont…)
• Eg. Bath Room Size Determination & Design
• Space for Fixtures

15. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Size (cont…)
• Bath Room (cont…)
• Space for Activities

16. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Size (cont…)
• Bath Room (cont…)
• Area Determination

17. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Size (cont…)
• Bath Room (cont…)
• Final Design

18. Function in Architecture (cont…)
6. Shape
• A room or space needs to have the appropriate shape to
• provide the required function
• accommodate the necessary furniture
• avoid wastage of space
• house enough and clear circulation

19. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Shape ( cont…)
A. Rectangular Spaces
• Easy to accommodate furniture
• Less wastage of space
• Flexible

20. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Shape ( cont…)
• Rectangular Spaces (cont…)

21. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Shape ( cont…)
B. Triangular & Angular Spaces
• Difficult to accommodate furniture
• High wastage of space

22. Function in Architecture (cont…)
Shape ( cont…)
C. Curved Spaces
• Difficult to accommodate furniture
• Need Special Furniture

23. Function Ends
Space Follows

24. Space in Architecture (cont…)
1. Space Defining Elements
• Space is voidness
• Space is to be hollow
• We perceive (notice) space, when it is enclosed
• Architectural Elements that enclose spaces –
• Space Defining Elements
1.1 Form
1.2 Horizontal Plane
1.3 Vertical Linear Elements
1.4 Vertical Plane

25. Space in Architecture (cont…)
1.1 Form Defining Exterior Space
• At Site planning level, a building defines exterior space
around or next to it in the following ways
a) Form an edge of its site defining a street pattern

26. Space in Architecture (cont…)

27. Space in Architecture (cont…)

28. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form Defining Exterior Space (cont...)
b) Surround or Enclose courtyard (atrium) space within it

29. Space in Architecture (cont…)

30. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form Defining Exterior Space (cont...)
c) Enclose a portion of its site as an outdoor space

31. Space in Architecture (cont…)

32. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form Defining Exterior Space (cont...)
d) Merge its interior space with the private out door space with a defined
entrance

33. Space in Architecture (cont…)

34. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form Defining Exterior Space (cont...)
e) Stand as a distinct form in space and dominate the site

35. Space in Architecture (cont…)

36. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form Defining Exterior Space (cont...)
f) Stretch out and define a space at the front

37. Space in Architecture (cont…)

38. Space in Architecture (cont…)

39. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Form Defining Exterior Space (cont...)
g) Stand free within its site but have private exterior space which is
an extension of its interior spaces

40. Space in Architecture (cont…)

41. Space in Architecture (cont…)
1.2 Horizontal Plane
A) Base Plane
• A horizontal plane laying on a floor
• It defines a simple field of space
• The definition isn’t strong and hence there is flow of space
• The stronger the edge definition of a horizontal plane, the more the
the definition will be.

42. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane(cont...)

43. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane (cont…)
B) Elevated Base Plane
• A horizontal plane elevated above ground floor
• The edges of the elevated plane
• Define the boundaries of a field of space
• Interrupts the flow of space
• If the characteristics of Elevated Plane is similar , the field of space
will be the continuation of the surrounding space.
• If the nature ( color, level) of Elevated Plane is different, the field of
space will de distinctive.

44. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane(cont...)

45. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane(cont...) (3)

46. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane(cont...) (2,3)

47. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane (cont…)
C) Depressed Base Plane
• A horizontal plane depressed into ground floor
• The edges of the depressed plane
• Define a field of space
• If the characteristics of Depressed Plane is similar , the field of space
will be the continuation of the surrounding space.
• If the nature ( color, level) of Depressed Plane is different, the field
of
space will de distinctive.

48. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane(cont...)

49. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane (cont…)
D) Overhead Plane
• A horizontal plane above human height
• It defines a field of space b/n is self and the ground below it

50. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane (cont…)
Overhead Plane (cont…)

51. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane (cont…)
Overhead Plane (cont…)

52. Space in Architecture (cont…)
Horizontal Plane (cont…)
Overhead Plane (cont…)