GEOMETRICAL DESCRIPTION OF

FUNCTIONAL SPACE

Architecture is the art of the hollow; it is defined both from the

interior and from the exterior….
A work of architecture which is designed only from the
exterior ceases to be architecture and becomes a stage set.
Conversely, the reduction to just the spatial characteristics eludes the
concrete signs and symbols underlain by its material nature.
Pierre Von Meiss

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 GEOMETRICAL DESCRIPTION OF
FUNCTIONAL SPACE

1. About the Functional Description of Spaces

2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces

3. Perception of Solids and Voids

4. Form or Function, What Follows What?

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 1. About the Functional Description of
Spaces

1.1. Functionality of Solids Vs. Functionality of Voids

1.2. Activities in Spaces Reflected in Programmatic Requirements

1.3. Organization of Activities Reflected in Zoning Diagrams

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1. About the Functional Description of Spaces
1.1. FUNCTIONALITY OF SOLIDS VS. FUNCTIONALITY OF VOIDS
A description of form tells what an object is,
while a functional description tells what it accomplishes

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1. About the Functional Description of Spaces
1.1. MORE ABOUT FUNCTIONALITY OF SOLIDS VS. FUNCTIONALITY OF VOIDS

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1. About the Functional Description of Spaces
1.2. ACTIVITIES IN SPACES REFLECTED IN PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS

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1. About the Functional Description of Spaces
1.2. MORE ABOUT PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS

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1. About the Functional Description of Spaces
1.2. MORE ABOUT PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS

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1. About the Functional Description of Spaces
1.3. ORGANIZATION OF ACTIVITIES REFLECTED IN ZONING DIAGRAMS

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1. About the Functional Description of Spaces
1.3. MORE ABOUT ZONING DIAGRAMS

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1. About the Functional Description of Spaces
1.3. MORE ABOUT ZONING DIAGRAMS

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 2. About the Geometrical Description of
Functional Spaces

2.1. Elements of Spatial Definition

2.1.1. Horizontal Elements
2.1.2. Vertical Elements
2.1.3. Openings

2.2. Spatial Relationships

2.3. Organizing Principles and Common Spatial Configurations

2.4. Sequential Experience

2.4.1. Approach
2.4.2. Entrance
2.4.3. Circulation Paths
2.4.4. Path-Space Relationships
2.4.5. Form of Circulation Space
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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.1. ELEMENTS OF SPATIAL DEFINITION

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.1. Elements of Spatial Definition
2.1.1. HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.1. Elements of Spatial Definition
2.1.1. VERTICAL ELEMENTS

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.1. Elements of Spatial Definition
2.1.1. OPENINGS

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.2. SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.3. ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES AND COMMON SPATIAL CONFIGURATIONS

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.4. SEQUENTIAL EXPERIENCE

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.4. MORE ABOUT SEQUENTIAL EXPERIENCE

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.4. Sequential Experience
2.4.1. APPROACH

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.4. Sequential Experience
2.4.2. ENTRANCE

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.4. Sequential Experience
2.4.2. ENTRANCE

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.4. Sequential Experience
2.4.3. CIRCULATION PATHS

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.4. Sequential Experience
2.4.4. PATH-SPACE RELATIONSHIPS

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2. About the Geometrical Description of Functional Spaces
2.4. Sequential Experience
2.4.5. FORM OF CIRCULATION SPACE

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 3. Perception of Solids and Voids

3.1. Solid and Void equals Figure and Ground Relationship

3.2. Spatial Radiance

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3. Perception of Solids and Voids
3.1. SOLID AND VOID EQUALS FIGURE AND GROUND RELATIONSHIP

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3. Perception of Solids and Voids
3.1. MORE ABOUT SOLID AND VOID RELATIONSHIP

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3. Perception of Solids and Voids
3.2. SPATIAL RADIANCE

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3. Perception of Solids and Voids
3.2. MORE ABOUT SPATIAL RADIANCE

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3. Perception of Solids and Voids
3.2. MORE ABOUT SPATIAL RADIANCE

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3. Perception of Solids and Voids
3.2. MORE ABOUT SPATIAL RADIANCE

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3. Perception of Solids and Voids
3.2. MORE ABOUT SPATIAL RADIANCE

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3. Perception of Solids and Voids
3.2. MORE ABOUT SPATIAL RADIANCE

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4. FORM OR FUNCTION,
WHAT FOLLOWS WHAT?

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4. FORM OR FUNCTION, WHAT FOLLOWS WHAT?

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4. FORM OR FUNCTION, WHAT FOLLOWS WHAT?

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 References
• Architecture: Form, Space & Order, Francis Ching,
ISBN 0-442-21535-5
• Elements of Architecture, Pierre Von Meiss, ISBN
0-747-60014-7
• Elements of Architectural Design, Ernest Burden,
ISBN 0-442-01339-6
• Principles of Form and Design, Wucius Wong,
ISBN 0-442-01405-8

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