THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1

CHAPTER 3: FORM & SPACE

 CHAPTER 2: FORM &
SPACE
FORM & SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane

“... JUST AS WE TAKE b) Depressed Base Plane

c) Overhead Plane

ADVANTAGE OF
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane

WHAT IS, c) L-Shaped Plane

d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane

WE SHOULD f) Four Planes: Closure

OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING

RECOGNIZE THE
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners

UTILITY OF WHAT IS c) Openings between planes

QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL

NOT.” SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook

- LAO TZU - c) Light

 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
1. POSITIVE ELEMENTS - figures b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

2. NEGATIVE ELEMENTS – background 2. Vertical Elements

a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
 the positive elements that attract our attention, b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
could not exist without a contrasting background 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
 Figures and their background, therefore, are more b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
than opposing elements. Together, they form an 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
inseparable reality—a unity of opposites—just as the b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
elements of form and space together form the reality d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
of architecture f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Various strategies for relating the form of a building to b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
the space around it: 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

a) form a wall along an edge of its site and begin to b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

define a positive outdoor space d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Various strategies for relating the form of a building to b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
the space around it: 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

b) merge its interior space with the private outdoor b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

space of a walled site d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Various strategies for relating the form of a building to b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
the space around it: 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

c) enclose a portion of its site as an outdoor room and b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

shelter it from undesirable climatic conditions d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Various strategies for relating the form of a building to b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
the space around it: 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

d. surround and enclose a courtyard or atrium space b) Single Vertical Plane

c) L-Shaped Plane

within its volume—an introverted scheme d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Various strategies for relating the form of a building to b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
the space around it: 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

e) stand as a distinct object in space and dominate its b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

site through its form and topographical d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane

positioning—an extroverted scheme f) Four Planes: Closure

OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Various strategies for relating the form of a building to b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
the space around it: 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

f) stretch out and present a broad face to address a b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

view, terminate an axis, or define an edge of an d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane

urban space f) Four Planes: Closure

OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Various strategies for relating the form of a building to b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
the space around it: 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

g) stand free within its site but extend its interior b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

spaces to merge with private exterior spaces d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
UNITY OF OPPOSITES THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Various strategies for relating the form of a building to b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
the space around it: 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

h) stand as a positive form in negative space b) Single Vertical Plane

c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
 When we place a two-dimensional figure on a piece of b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
paper, it influences the shape of the white space around 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
it. In a similar manner, any three-dimensional form b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
naturally articulates the volume of space surrounding it d) Parallel Planes
and generates a field of influence or territory which it e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
claims as its own. OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
 The following section of this chapter looks at horizontal a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
and vertical elements of form and presents examples of c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
how various configurations of these formal elements SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
generate and define specific types of space. b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS: BASE PLANE b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 A horizontal plane laying as a figure on a contrasting

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

background defines a simple field of space. b) Single Vertical Plane

c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
 Perceptible if there is change in color, texture or tone e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
 Define or generates a spatial zone OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
HORIZONTAL ELEMENTS: BASE PLANE b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 This field can be visually reinforced in the following

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

ways: b) Single Vertical Plane

c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
 ELEVATED BASE PLANE e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
 DEPRESSED BASE PLANE OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
 OVERHEAD BASE PLANE a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
ELEVATED BASE PLANE b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
 Define the boundaries of its field & interrupts the
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
flow of spaces b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
 Extroverted, significant space e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
 Spatial & visual continuity depends on the scale of OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
level of change a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
ELEVATED BASE PLANE: b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
Scale of the Level of 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
Change b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
The edge of the field is OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
well-defined; visual ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes

and spatial continuity b) Openings at corners

c) Openings between planes

is maintained; physical QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL

SPACE
access is easily a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
accommodated c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
ELEVATED BASE PLANE: b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
Scale of the Level of 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
Change b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
Visual continuity is OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
maintained; spatial ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes

continuity is b) Openings at corners

c) Openings between planes

interrupted; physical QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL

SPACE
access requires the use a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
of stairs or ramps. c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
ELEVATED BASE PLANE: b) Depressed Base Plane
Scale of the Level of c) Overhead Plane
2. Vertical Elements
Change a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
Visual and spatial d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
continuity is interrupted; f) Four Planes: Closure
the field of the elevated OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
plane is isolated from the a) Openings within planes
ground or floor plane; b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
the elevated plane is QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
transformed into a SPACE
sheltering element for a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
the space below c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
ELEVATED BASE PLANE: b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
Purposes 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
a) used to venerate sacred b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
and honorific buildings d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
b) define a transitional space f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
between the interior of a ELEMENTS
building and the outdoor a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
environment c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
c) establish a singular zone SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
of space within a larger b) View or outlook
room or hall c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
DEPRESSED BASE PLANE b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
 Isolates a field of space from its context
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
 Introverted, protective space c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
 Spatial & visual continuity depends on the scale of e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
level of change OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
DEPRESSED BASE PLANE: Articulation b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
a) vertical surfaces of the depression establish the 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
boundaries of the field b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
b) contrasting the surface treatment of the lowered e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
area and that of the surrounding base plane OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
c) contrast in form, geometry, or orientation can also a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
visually reinforce the identity and independence of c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
the sunken field from its larger spatial context SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
DEPRESSED BASE b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
PLANE: Scale of the 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
Level of Change b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
The depressed field OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
can be an interruption ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes

of the ground or floor b) Openings at corners

c) Openings between planes

plane and remain an QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL

SPACE
integral part of the a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
surrounding space. c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
DEPRESSED BASE b) Depressed Base Plane

PLANE: Scale of the c) Overhead Plane

2. Vertical Elements
Level of Change a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
Increasing the depth of e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
the depressed field OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
weakens its visual ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
relationship with the b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
surrounding space and QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
strengthens its SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
definition as a distinct b) View or outlook
volume of space. c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
DEPRESSED BASE b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
PLANE: Scale of the 2. Vertical Elements

Level of Change a) Vertical Linear Elements

b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
Once the original base f) Four Planes: Closure

plane is above our OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING

ELEMENTS
eyelevel, the a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
depressed field c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
becomes a separate SPACE
and distinct room in a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
itself. c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
DEPRESSED BASE PLANE: b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
Purposes 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
a) Serve as stages for outdoor b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
arenas & amphitheaters d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
b) Define sheltered outdoor spaces f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
c) Reduce the scale of a room and ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
define a more intimate space b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
d) Transitional space between two QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
floors of a building a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
OVERHEAD BASE PLANE b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
 Defines a field of
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
space between itself b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
and ground plane d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
 Offers a sense of OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
enclosure beneath ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
 Roof and ceiling plane c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
OVERHEAD BASE PLANE: b) Depressed Base Plane

Purpose c) Overhead Plane

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
 shelters the interior b) Single Vertical Plane

spaces of a building
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes

from sun, rain, and e) U-Shaped Plane

f) Four Planes: Closure

snow, but also has a OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING

ELEMENTS
major impact on the a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
overall form of a c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
building and the SPACE

shaping of its spaces

a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
OVERHEAD BASE PLANE: Types b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
 In the previous section of this chapter, horizontal b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
planes defined fields of space in which the vertical 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
boundaries were implied rather than explicitly b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
described. The following section discusses the critical d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
role vertical elements of form play in firmly f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
establishing the visual limits of a spatial field. ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Vertical forms b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 have a greater presence in our visual field than

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

horizontal planes; more instrumental in defining a b) Single Vertical Plane

c) L-Shaped Plane

discrete volume of space and providing a sense of d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane

enclosure and privacy for those within it. f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
 serve to separate one space from another and a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
establish a common boundary between the interior c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
and exterior environments. SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Vertical forms b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 serve as structural supports for floor and roof planes

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
 provide shelter and protection from the climatic c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
elements and aid in controlling the flow of air, heat, e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
and sound into and through the interior spaces of a OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
building. a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Vertical Linear Elements b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 Define the perpendicular edges of a volume of space

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Single Vertical Plane b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 articulates the space on which it fronts

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Single Vertical Plane b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 define the principal facade of a building fronting a

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

public space, establish a gateway through which one b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

passes, as well as articulate spatial zones within d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
L-Shaped Plane b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
§ Generates a field of space from its 2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
corner outward along its diagonal b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
axis d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Parallel Planes b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 define a volume of space between them that is

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

oriented axially toward both open ends of the b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

configuration. d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
U-Shaped Plane b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 Defines a volume of space that is oriented primarily

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

toward the open end of the configuration b) Single Vertical Plane

c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
U-Shaped Plane b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 Defines a volume of space that is oriented primarily

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

toward the open end of the configuration b) Single Vertical Plane

c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Four Planes: Closure b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 Establish the boundaries of an introverted space

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
FORM DEFINING SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Four Planes: Closure b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 Establish the boundaries of an introverted space

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING ELEMENTS THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
 Provide continuity with adjacent spaces b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 Weaken enclosure of the space 2. Vertical Elements

a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
 Doors - offers entry into a room; influence the patterns of e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
movement and use within a space OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
 Windows – allows light to penetrate & illuminates; offers a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
outdoor views; provide natural ventilation; establish c) Openings between planes
visual relationships between room and adjacent spaces QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING ELEMENTS THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Within Planes b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 An opening can be located wholly within a wall or

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

ceiling plane and be surrounded on all sides by the b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

surface of the plane d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING ELEMENTS THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Within Planes b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 Centered: appears stable & visually organized

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
 Off-centered: creates a degree of visual tension c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
 Grouped: clustered form - a unified composition
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
staggered or dispersed form -creates visual OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
movement a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners

 Deep set:
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
 Skylight a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING ELEMENTS THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
At Corners b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 An opening can be located along one edge or at a

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

corner of a wall or ceiling plane. In either case, the b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

opening will be at a corner of a space d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING ELEMENTS THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
At Corners b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 give a space and the planes in which they are located

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

a diagonal orientation b) Single Vertical Plane

c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
 directional effect may be desirable for compositional e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
reasons OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
 corner opening may be established to capture a desirable
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
view or brighten a dark corner of a space. b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING ELEMENTS THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
At Corners b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

 An opening can extend vertically between the floor

2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements

and ceiling planes or horizontally between two wall b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane

planes. It can grow in size to occupy an entire wall of d) Parallel Planes

e) U-Shaped Plane

a space f) Four Planes: Closure

OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
1. Degree of Enclosure: form of the space b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane

2. View or Outlook: focus of the space 2. Vertical Elements

a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
3. Light: illumination of its surfaces and forms c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Degree of Enclosure b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
View or Outlook b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Light b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light
 CHAPTER 3: FORM &
SPACE
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE THE UNITY OF OPPOSITES
FORM DEFINING SPACE
1. Horizontal Elements: Base
Plane
a) Elevated Base Plane
Light b) Depressed Base Plane
c) Overhead Plane
2. Vertical Elements
a) Vertical Linear Elements
b) Single Vertical Plane
c) L-Shaped Plane
d) Parallel Planes
e) U-Shaped Plane
f) Four Planes: Closure
OPENINGS IN SPACE-DEFINING
ELEMENTS
a) Openings within planes
b) Openings at corners
c) Openings between planes
QUALITIES OF ARCHITECTURAL
SPACE
a) Degree of enclosure
b) View or outlook
c) Light