Visual

Visual Organization Organization

and Circulation THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE – 1

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE - 1

How do you How do you

organize organize
your your
space? space?

How do you How do you

define order? define chaos?

Order is the arrangement or Chaos is complete disorder

disposition of people or things and confusion
in relation to each other
according to a particular
sequence, pattern, or
method
 We need to understand …

¡ We need to balance order + chaos

¡ Spatial relationships
¡ Elements of Circulation
¡ Ordering principles : Rhythm, Pattern,
Repetition, Transformation
How do you
achieve order?

Spatial Relationships 1- Space within a space

¡ Space within a space
¡ Enveloping quality
¡ Interlocking spaces
¡ Larger space as a container / filter
¡ Adjacent spaces
¡ Spaces linked by a common
feature

2 - Interlocking Spaces
¡ Overlapping 3 - Adjacent
¡ Shared space Spaces
¡ Spaces separated
¡ Retains individual
by a plane
identity?
¡ Degree of
¡ Tension?
separation /
enclosure
depends on
plane
4 - Spaces linked by a
common feature
¡ Intermediate space
¡ Functions:
¡ Separation
¡ Transition
¡ Communication

What is
Circulation?

Circulation Circulation refers to

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE - 1

how people move

through space

The experience of space

Space is not static. It is affected by
time, sequence, and space
What affects circulation?
¡ Direction: Horizontal or vertical movement?
¡ Type: Public or Private?
¡ Frequency: Commonly or rarely used?
¡ Time: AM? PM? 24H?
¡ Also: Efficiency and Economy
Elements of Circulation Approach
¡ Approach ¡ Purpose: preparation, orientation
¡ Entrance ¡ Does approach end when you
enter the building?
¡ Configuration of the path
¡ Path-space relationships
¡ Form of the circulation space

3 Kinds of Approach
¡ Frontal / Oblique / Spiral
Approach as a crescendo?

¡ Crescendo
¡ Tension up
¡ Tension
down
Entrance Types of Entrances
¡ From outside to inside ¡ Flushed = continuity
¡ Separation / Connection ¡ Projected = transitional / extroverted
¡ Recessed = hidden / sheltering / introverted
Configuration of the Path
¡ The sequence of spaces
¡ Intersections
¡ Stopping points
¡ Orientation
¡ Path as Narrative: What is your story? How do
you make users understand it?
Types of
Paths
¡ Linear
¡ Radial
¡ Spiral
¡ Grid
¡ Network
¡ Composite

Path-space relationships
¡ Edges
¡ Nodes
¡ Terminations
¡ How does the path affect space?
3 kinds of Path-Space
relationships
¡ Pass-by Spaces
¡ Pass-through Spaces
¡ Path terminates in a space
Pass by Spaces
¡ Integrity of each space is maintained
¡ Flexible configuration
¡ Path = link
Pass through Spaces
¡ Creates patterns of rest and movement
¡ Axially, obliquely, or along its edge
Terminate in a Space
¡ Location of the space establishes
the path
¡ Highlight function / symbolism

Form of circulation space Form of circulation space

¡ Not merely corridors Determined by:
¡ Accommodate the needs / movement of ¡ Articulation of boundaries
people
¡ Scale, proportion, light, and view
¡ Promenade / Pause / Rest / View
¡ Entrances
¡ Changes in level
3 Basic Forms of circulation
space
¡ Enclosed
¡ Open on one side
¡ Open on both sides
Open on one side
¡ Balcony / gallery
¡ Visual and spatial
continuity with the
spaces it links
Rhythm, Pattern, Repetition
Enclosed
¡ Segregation of
Public / private
¡ Relates to spaces it
links through
entrances in a wall
plane
Open on both sides
¡ Colonnaded
passageway
¡ Physical extension of
the space it passes
through
Rhythm
¡ Movement characterized by a
patterned recurrence of elements or
motifs at regular or irregular intervals
¡ Uses repetition and patterns
¡ Continuity
¡ Anticipation
¡ Can have emphasis
Repetition
¡ Repetition creates patterns
¡ How do we group elements?
¡ Proximity
¡ Visual Characteristics
¡ Size
¡ Shape
¡ Details / Characteristics

Transformation
¡ Exploration: Where creativity comes into play
¡ Adaptation and retooling to suit needs
¡ Prototype >>> basis of solution
¡ Respond + Develop NOT copy
ACTIVITY:
Spatial
Organizations
¡ Centralized
¡ Linear
¡ Radial
¡ Clustered
¡ Grid