Arts Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum Visual Arts Video: Form and Space in Architecture [Student notes] Organizer Sponsor Research Team Architectural Services Department
Contents Preamble Learning plan i Lesson 1: Form and Space in Architecture 1.1 Form and Space in Architecture 1.2 The Relationship of Form and Space 1.2.1 Shape of Form and Space 1.2.2 Degree of Enclosure Exercise: Case Studies on Form and Space Central Government Complex Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building Diamond Hill Crematorium Hong Kong Wetland Park Summary, Key words and Further reading 01 02 02 04 06 07 08 10 12 13 Disclaimer Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 2012 Hong Kong Institute of Architects
Topic 05 Video: Form and Space in Architecture Major teaching areas Visual Arts: Visual Arts Appreciation and Criticism in Context Formal knowledge Signs and symbols Knowledge of history and ways of seeing Knowledge in context Visual Arts Making Interdisciplinary teaching areas Design and Applied Technology Strand 1 Design and Innovation Learning objectives To understand the composition of form and space in architecture To learn how form and space are affected by function and aesthetics To see how form and space are created and how they influence context through case studies Learning plan Lesson Lesson 1 Video: Form and Space in Architecture Contents 1.1 1.2.1 1.2.2 Exercise Composition of form and space in architecture through points, line s, planes and volume Different shapes of form and space Effects of degree of enclosure on form and space Case studies on form and space in context through four architectural projects in Hong Kong: - Central Government Complex - Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building - Diamond Hill Crematorium - Hong Kong Wetland Park i
Lesson 1 Video: Form and Space in Architecture 1.1 Form and Space in Architecture Form and space are complementary and inseparable aspects of architecture. The form of a building is its physical substance: the materials and structures that make up the building and enclose or create the spaces within it. Formation of Space in Architecture In architectural language, the relationship between form and space can be thought of as a solid-void relationship. The spaces created by a building include both interior space and exterior space, which may interweave or influence each other. Architectural elements like columns, walls, floors and ceilings are physical elements that shape a space. Form contains functional spaces and space offers particular experiences. Parameters controlling form and space include shape, degree of enclosure, dimensions, proportions, materials, colours and textures. 1 Plans Point Axonometric drawings Line 2 3 Line Plane Volume of space Interior space Exterior space 1. In plan, columns at four points of a square grid define a rectangular space in between. In elevation, they are seen as vertical linear elements of the space. 2. In plan, a row of columns creates a line that separates two spaces. At the same time, it creates a vertical plane walls are vertical planes, and floors and ceilings are horizontal planes. They create the volume of spaces for our daily activities. 3. Buildings in a city can be regarded as large-scale volumes. The elevations of the buildings create external spaces between their vertical planes. These spaces may be narrow streets or wide plazas. Elevation An elevation is the vertical exterior surface of a building: its front, back, and sides. Plan A plan is a scaled drawing showing the layout of the building. 01
p (Left) Aerial view and (Right) plan of Paternoster Square, London. The unified style of the surrounding building elevations (marked in red) creates a sense of place in the Square. The irregular placement of the buildings shapes the public space (marked in green). 1.2 The Relationship of Form and Space 1.2.1 Shape of Form and Space In buildings, walls and ceiling and floor surfaces are shaped to enable specific functions and create a certain type of spatial experience. Architects may choose organic, flowing shapes or right-angled geometries to create a particular environment. Form follows function. American architect Louis Sullivan Many architects have a signature style that can be seen in the forms they choose to create. Depending on the project or the client, they may focus mainly on accommodating a certain function or on creating an interesting spatial experience. Form and space are complementary: form creates space. And since the space must be used for particular functions, form must follow function. SPACE for FUNCTION complementary follows FORM Five points of modern architecture Le Corbusier 1. Pilotis: Space is structurally supported by pillars (points). The building is raised off the ground to provide circulation space and room for services. 2. Free façade: Because of the use of pillars, the façade of the building is formed according the internal use of space rather than supporting walls (plane). 3. Open floor plan: Since pillars are the only structural elements, floor space is left free from a rigid configuration of structural walls. 4. Horizontal strip windows: Horizontal windows allow a view across the horizon and bring natural light into the building. 5. Roof garden: The roof garden is conceived as a compensation for the area of ground plane consumed by the building s footprint. 02
p Le Corbusier designed the Villa Savoye in Poissy, France to embody the five points of modern architecture ( Les 5 Points d une architecture nouvelle ) that he developed in the 1920s. 0 2 4 10 m p (Left) First floor and (Right) ground floor plans of the Villa Savoye. A grid of pillars is the basic structure of the building, supporting horizontal beams and slabs. Elevating the first floor provides a better view through the strip windows. Rooms can be configured according to the function of the space. 1:200 1:200 Its inside order accommodates the multiple functions of a house, domestic scale, and partial mystery inherent in a sense of privacy. Its outside order expresses the unity of the idea of house at an easy scale appropriate to the green field it dominated and possibly to the city it will one day be part of. Robert Venturi, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, 1966 03
1.2.2 Degree of Enclosure The degree of enclosure of a space depends on its function and nature and the degree of privacy or weather protection required. It affects the comfort of the space, influencing factors like natural light and ventilation. From the outside, the elements of enclosure also influence the elevations of the building. Three typical ways to vary the degree of enclosure: The structural formation of building components can be designed to create openings. Permeability of the enclosure is influenced by fenestration or skylights. Transparency can be created by using glass, polycarbonate, or other transparent or translucent materials. Façade A facade or façade is generally the most important exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French word for frontage or face. In architecture, the façade of a building is often the most important from a design standpoint, as it sets the tone for the rest of the building. Fenestration Fenestration is the arrangement of openings or windows on the building envelop. [Discussion] 1 How do you compare different enclosed spaces? Experiment with physical models of the three plans below. 1 Plans 2 3 04
u The Church of Light in Osaka, Japan was designed by the architect Tadao Ando. The structure is made of opaque concrete with the exception of an opening behind the altar that forms a cross. Natural light passes through this gap to illuminate the interior of the church and create a sacred and peaceful atmosphere. Ani Chan p I.M. Pei designed these transparent pyramid-shaped skylights as additions to the Louvre Museum in Paris. Their geometry and transparency contrast interestingly with the surrounding historic buildings. The skylights provide natural illumination to the museum s underground reception area. Skylights underground p Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, France was designed by Le Corbusier. Coloured translucent glazing and irregular openings create a dramatic pattern of light inside the chapel. 05
[Exercise] 1 In the video, architects introduce four different building projects in Hong Kong: Central Government Complex Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building Diamond Hill Crematorium Hong Kong Wetland Park What do you think about these buildings? How do you see these buildings according to: 2 1. Creation of forms How is the form of the building composed? How are different building masses being put together? What kinds of enclosure the building has? 2. Space created What kinds of space are created? What is the atmosphere of the space? What elements define the space? 3. Sense of place (genius loci) How does the form of the building sit within the context? In classical Roman religion, a genius loci was the protective spirit of a place. There are many Roman altars found in Western Europe dedicated in whole or in part to the particular genius loci. In contemporary usage, genius loci usually refers to a location s distinctive atmosphere, or the sense of place. 4. Design concept What is the design of the building trying to achieve or communicate? Is there any symbolic meaning behind the design for the building form and the spatial experience created? Architectural Services Department 3 5. Functional considerations What practical considerations guided the architects while they were working on these projects? What factors influenced the design s space and form? Architectural Services Department 4 1. Central Government Complex 2. Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building 3. Diamond Hill Crematorium 4. Hong Kong Wetland Park 06
Central Government Complex Central Government Complex Location: Tamar Completion year: 2011 Architect: Rocco Design Architects Limited Creation of forms Space created Sense of place Design concept Functional considerations 07
Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building (Tin Shui Wai Municipal Services Building) Location: Tin Shui Wai Completion year: 2011 Architect: Architectural Services Department Creation of forms Architectural Services Department Space created Sense of place Design concept Functional considerations 08
[Additional Information] Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Leisure and Cultural Building p West elevation (façade) Architectural Services Department p South elevation Architectural Services Department p Design process of composition Architectural Services Department p Section Architectural Services Department 09
Diamond Hill Crematorium The Diamond Hill Crematorium Location: Diamond Hill Completion year: 2009 Architect: Architectural Services Department Creation of forms Architectural Services Department Space created Sense of place Design concept Functional considerations 10
[Additional Information] Diamond Hill Crematorium p The west elevation of the Diamond Hill Crematorium. Architectural Services Department Paths for visitors Paths for coffins p Plan of the podium level of Diamond Hill Crematorium. Visitors arrive at the lower level and pass through the circular courtyard before entering the service hall. The coffin of the deceased enters the service hall via a separate route, and is then transported underground to the crematory. Architectural Services Department 11
Hong Kong Wetland Park Hong Kong Wetland Park Location: Tin Shui Wai Completion year: 2005 Architect: Architectural Services Department Creation of forms Space created Sense of place Design concept Functional considerations 12
Summary 1. In architectural language, the relationship between form and space is often conceived as a solidvoid relationship. 2. Form contains functional spaces and space offers particular experiences. 3. Parameters controlling form and space include shapes, dimensions, proportions, materials, colours and textures. 4. Different kinds of forms and spaces are created in response to functional requirements, context, or the architect s desire to create a unique spatial experience. Key words Form Space Fenestration Enclosure Facade Elevation Plan Further reading 1. Ching, Francis D. K. Architecture: Form, Space, and Order, 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007. 2. Eckler, James F. Language of Space and Form: Generative Terms for Architecture. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2012. 3. Venturi, Robert. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. New York: MoMA, 1996. 4. Foundation of Le Corbusier website http://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/corbuweb/morpheusaspx?sysname=home&syslanguage= fr-fr&sysinfos=1 5. Gehry Partners, LLP website http://www.foga.com/ 6. Tado Ando Architect and Associates website http://www.tadao-ando.com/index_eng.html 7. Pei Cobb Freed & Partners website http://www.pcf-p.com/ 8. Rocco Design Architects Limited website http://www.rocco.hk/ Architectural Services Department Organizer Sponsor Research Team 13