Architecture

Architecture
 Architecture is the most spatial of all arts.
 Buildings are works of art ,which possess artistic quality – is
Architecture. They draw us to them rather than push us away or
make us ignore them.
 They make our living space more livable. Architecture is the art of
shaping of buildings and space.
 It is the art of space making in which the spaces must be functional
as well as aesthetic.
 It is also the most public art – it is most exposed to the public –
unavoidable because it is all buildings, incase of painting, sculpture,
dance or novel, we can refuse to participate.
 Painters do not command real three dimension space – sculptors
mould out into space – no inner space to be walked into unlike
architecture which has lot of interior space.
Space and Architecture
 It focuses upon the flow of space between interior
and exterior environments both in the private and
public realm. The emphasis of the discipline is upon
working with people and space, particularly looking
at the notion of place, also place identity . As such it
covers a variety of scales, from detailed design of
interior spaces and exterior spaces . It is the
language of Architecture, Interior Design and
Landscape Architecture to communicate design
intentions.
Space and Architecture

 ARCHITECTS CARVE APART AN INNER SPACE FROM AN

OUTER SPACE IN SUCH A WAY THAT BOTH SPACE BECOME
MORE FULLY PERCEPTIBLE AND ESPECIALLY THE INNER
SPACE CAN BE USED FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES.
 Architecture is a great hollowed out sculpture that we perceive
by moving both inside and outside.
 Architecture is the creative conservation of space.
 Space refer to relation of things. Space is the material of the
architect. The inside building space – filled with emergent
forces whereas outside space becomes organized and focused.
 It is anchored to the earth.
 The convergent outer space is oriented around the
inner space.
 Inner and outer space define a context.
 We perceive space as a context energized by the
positioned inter relationship of things. Space
shows a vitality that can be felt. We tend to notice
space explicitly the position of things only when
we use them.
 Buildings must be in harmony with their
surroundings .
Centered Space

 Is the positioned inter relationship of things and is an

arrangement of things around some paramount thing.
 Is a place at which other things seem to converge. It is centripetal . It
draws us in. It has a pulling power into them. It has a overpowering
dynamism that captures our attention.
 Example :
 1. St. Peter’s Piazza - walk slowly and tend to speak softly and it
beckons and welcomes us.
 2. The interior space of Pantheon , Rome – Rotunda –a circular
plan with domical roof – on top of the dome -has an oculus which is
circular opening at the top – such has power and tremendous
influence on the mind .
 In the interior space – vertical axis is present – space revolves
around the axis
 Piazza of
St. Peter's Basilica :Rome
Bird’s eye view St. Peter's Basilica
The Architect
 Architect’s professional life is perhaps is more difficult than that of
any other artist.
 Because it is a public art – buildings have a social function
 It needs public fund
 Architects must prepare with the foresight that , their creation would
materialize .
 They should be Psychologist, Economist, Politician, Businessman and
an Engineer - They must be able to construct structurally stable
buildings. Architect typically shelters inner space from outer
space in such a way that we can use the inner space for
practical purpose, at the same time – perceive both spaces
– relationships as more interesting – evoking participation.
Four basic necessities of Architecture

 They must take into account four basic and closely

inter related necessities.
 Technical requirements
 Functional requirements
 Spatial requirements and
 Revelatory requirements.
Technical requirements

 This is one of the most obvious, building must stand and withstand.
 Should have structural stability and support design roofs and
structural systems.
 Architect must be aware of the materials and their potentialities –
how to put it together, how it works on a particular site and services.
 Stilt Construction cannot withstand earthquakes. Architects are
engineers as well but they are something more – Artists.
 Buildings must illuminate something significant when others
perceive.
 Example – Partheon, Athens
 Engineering – is superb – basic technique used is post and lintel
construction (column and beam) – set on a base or stylobate –
columns –( verticals )– post which supports the entablature –
(horizontal) – lintel which in turn supports the pediment - the roof.
Parthenon in Athens

Acropolis Of Athens
Elements of Doric order
Functional requirements

 Architects must not only make their building stand but also reveal their
function or use.
 Form must follow function.
 If form follows function in the sense that form stands for function.
 Human activity occur in a building which is designed based on the activity
example – the dias in the classroom for the teacher, or library function is for
reading, hence the racks, tables, chairs and aisle to move.
 To enable function to happen smoothly layout and circulation spaces are
important.
 No one is likely to mistake a Church i.e. Chartres Cathedral for an office
building or Seagram’s building for church.
 Study F.L.Wright’s Guggenheim museum – form extends fluidly into space.
 Here he explores with the term cantilever – one end of the horizontal is
fixed usually in a wall while other end juts out into space.
Seagram Building , New York
Chartres Cathedral ,Paris
Solomon Guggenheim Museum
Spatial Requirement

 Spatial relationship between the building and the

surroundings must be spatially satisfactory.
 If a building is artistically meaningful and satisfies
all the four necessities to some extent then it would
be successful. If not the form will fail to be a form
content.
 Buildings must be in harmony with their surroundings.
Solomon Guggenheim Museum
 F.L. Wright was successful in satisfying the technical
(cantilevering) and functional aspects (efficiently
exhibiting the works of art) but not completely with
the spatial necessities - the relationship with the
surroundings is very weak. Otherwise the museum is
successful with respect to form and function. It
reveals itself as a museum.
Revelatory requirement
 The function or use of the building is an essential part of
the subject matter of that building ,ie what the architect
interprets or gives insight into by means of its form .
 The form of the building reveals that function .
 The building also reveals something about the owner of
the building .
 Eg :a residence - gives a message about the person living
in it .
 Corporate building - message about the company
 A public building - gives a message more significant
about the function happening.
 Mother of all arts
 Balancing the inside and outside, the inner life and outer reality.
 History of architecture is a subject that explores the connections in
the humanities – history, anthropology, archaeology, literature and
science of engineering – mention most important art and aesthetics.
 Drawings – writing – hands on project – oral presentation and
discussion.
 Built environment around them entirely in a new way.
 Field trips aid and deepens this process, for buildings are not just
theoretical, they need to be experienced in three dimensions.
Architecture in fact is experienced by anyone living in it, the built
environment.
 Engineers and builders have technical knowledge whereas architects
create aesthetically and functional buildings – which also has value
as an art.
 Works of architecture separate inside space from outside
and available for human function and in interpreting their
subject matter (functions and the society’s values) , architect
make space , and bring out the power and the
interrelationships of things . Architecture in this respect it can
be divided into four main types:
 Earth rooted Architecture
 Sky oriented Architecture
 Earth resting Architecture
 Earth dominating Architecture
Earth rooted Architecture
 Organic means – a strong connection between tree and ground –
vegetation and earth ( in visual terms ) – similiarly building must be strong
in relation to earth. Strong connection between – building and site. –
building and site. – build a relationship between the building and material
eg. Stone
 Architecture - Originally related to earth, site, materials and gravity.
 l. The earth is the (most ) securing place – that grounds the place of our
existence.
 2. No thing exposes its surface pervasively and hides its depth completely.
 3. Nothing in nature is more suggestive or symbolic of security and mystery
than the earth. It is the universal womb, the in exhaustive source of all
creation.
 4. Mother earth is the bearer of humans from birth to death.
 Earth rooted architecture accentuates this natural symbolism more than any
other art.
 Site
 Architecture that is earth rooted discloses the earth by
drawing our attention to the site of the building. It
accentuates the site more noticeable or prominently.
 Its submission to gravity or to its raw material or to its
centrality in outer and inner space.
 Site whose surroundings can be seen from a great distance
are favorable eg. Parthenon Athens - it is surely superior
with respect to site of charters because Acropolis is natural
centre that dominates at a height – which has shear heavy
stoniness of the limestone cliffs. It forms a ground that from
which Parthenon slowly and majestically rises .
 Gravity
 The Parthenon is also exceptional in the way it manifests a
gentle surrender to gravity.
 The horizontal entablature follows evenly along the plain of
the acropolis with a steady beat of its supporting columns.
Gravity is accepted and accentuated with its stability – the
bldg holds the earth securely.
 With respect to Mont Saint Michel , even this can be seen from
a great distance, straining far up from the great rock cliffs. It is
spiny, lonely, verticality of the church overwhelms the pull of
the earth.
 Parthenon draws back into the womb of the earth whereas
Mont Saint Michel discloses the earth , but the gravity weakens
the securing sense of space, it rapidly moves around.
 The significance of the earth is felt much more deeply at the
Parthenon than Mont Saint Michel.
 Raw Material
 Raw material is highlighted - as architecture uses
materials furnished by nature especially when they are
found from the site, which stands forth and help reveal
the earthiness of the earth. Stone wood and clay are
extensively used when compared to steel, concrete and
glass.
 If Parthenon had been made of concrete rather than
the Pentelic marble – then the building would not have
grown out of soil so organically or if painted the effect
would be considerably less earthy.
 Centrality
 A building that is strongly centered in both its outer and inner
space help discloses the earth.
 No building is more centered than the Parthenon building
,when it comes to the inner space it is weak and there is no
strong pull when we get inside and there is no centre as such .
 Buildings draw us to a privileged position in their inner space –
which gives us the best perception of that space .
 Eg : in Greek cross buildings – the floor plan resembles a cross
whose arms are in equal length, are likely to centre us in the
inner space more strongly ,than the Latin cross bldg as in
Chartres
 In San Vitale Ravenna – basically an octagon-and interior
spaces are not clearly outlined and differentiated
 Parthenon ,Athens
Mont Saint Michel

Kaufmann house , known as falling waters

 Bldg in round ,are most internally centered of all. In
pantheon , almost all the inner space can be seen with
one turn ,a clear symmetry of enclosing shell draws us
to the center of the circle . it works on a vertical axis .
 It roots us firmly in the earth .The Pantheon ,Rome is
notable for being the only Roman building still in use
and still intact as it was .The interior space is
overwhelming and contrasts dramatically with the plain
exterior . The importance of a center , in a circle is
considered privileged and sacred position in relation to
the earth .
Sky oriented architecture
 Architecture organizes a world – far more tightly than
nature – this is done by centering the world on the earth by
means of building.
 By accentuating the natural symbolism of sunlight , sky and
horizon .
 Sky oriented architecture brings out special force the sky
and its symbolism. It draws our attention to sky and bounded
by a horizon.
 It accomplishes this positively by means of making a
building high and centered within the sky, defying gravity
and tightly integrating the light of outer and inner space.
 Architecture is an art of bounding as well as opening.
 Axis
 Buildings that stretch up far above the land and
nearby structures , such as Mont Saint Michel ,
Chartres , and Sagrada Familia ,not only direct our
eyes to the sky but also act as a centre to order the
sunlight in such a way – world with a horizon comes
into view.
 Motion being given direction and limits.
 The sky both opens up and takes on limit .
 Bldg reach up like an axis ,the sky reaches down to
meet them in mutual embrace .
 Defiance of gravity.
Defiance of gravity.
 The more the building appears to defy (against) gravity, the more it is likely
to disclose the sky, for this defiance draws our eyes upwards.
 Example – The flying buttress of Chartres and the arched roof towers and
spires that carry on their upward thrust seem to overcome the binding of the
earth.
 Mont Saint Michel is even more impressive because of the advantages of
its site.
 Cathedral of Florence is the most important power structure ever built to
defy gravity and achieving height in relation to its site. The eight outside
ribs spring up to a cupola with tremendous energy, the dome is visible
almost from everywhere in around Florence – because it is precisely
centered in the valley and is as high as it should be able to organize its sky.
 In contrast, Michelangelo dome of Saint Peter’s although grander in
proportion and over 50 feet higher fails to organize the sky of Rome as
firmly as the dome of Florence.
 Integration of light
 The light of sky reveals space and the positioned
interrelationships of things.
 When the light from outside seems to dominate or draw the
light from inside, a world is accented.
 Inside Chartres, the light through the stained glass is very
majestic – rose window.
 In Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul has no stained glass and its glass
area are completely dominated by walls and domes – but
relatively small windows are placed around the perimeter of
the dome ,it seems to draw the light of the inner space up and
out.
 Sky oriented architecture reveals the energy of the sun is the
ultimate source of all life .It is the light of the sun enables us to
see the physical environment.
Hagia Sophia , Istanbul
Sagrada Familia

Florence Cathedral
Earth resting architecture
 Architecture which accents neither earth nor sky but which rests on
the earth ,using earth as a platform with sky as background .
 Generally Earth resting buildings are not very tall, have flat roofs
and avoid strong vertical extensions such as spires and chimneys.
 Unlike sky oriented architecture – the earth resting architecture does
not strongly organize the sky around itself as with Chartres or with
cathedral of Florence . the sky is more a setting .
 With earth resting architecture - Unlike Earth rooted architecture –
the earth does not appear as an organic part of the building as in
Kaufman house
 Earth resting architecture the building sits on the earth.
 In this kind it draws to itself more isolated attention with reference to
its shape ,articulation of elements of its walls ,lighting etc
 Earth resting architecture

e.g. : 1 .Wiley House ,Connecticut by Philip Johns

Farnsworth residence

By Meis Vander Rohe

 Eg : 1.Wiley house by Philip Johnson - function of the house
are explicitly separated - bldg is at slightly higher level –
ground is like a platform , bldg is just sitting on the ground ,
difference between lower storey and upper floor – upper
floor is glazed as it is semipublic with living room ,whereas
lower floor is with bedrooms (for privacy )
 2. Farnsworth residence by Meis Vander Rohe in this
the house rests on the earth and is a home ,- it is private
rather than public , light and air interpenetrate through the
glass ,is a blend of natural and manufactured material , he
has doctored “less is more “

Earth dominating architecture
 Unlike, earth resting architecture, an Earth dominating
building does not sit on but rules over the earth .There is a
sense of power and aggression. Unlike pantheon or
Kaufmann house there is no feeling of an organic
relationship between the building and the earth.
 Eg: Palazzo Farnese, Rome by Michelangelo Buonnarroti and
Antonio Da Sangallo
 It expresses authority .it commands the earth and everything
around. Michelangelo’s third floor, compared to Antonio
lower floor is awesome – as it is mighty, sharply outlined ,
indestructible cube expresses movement .
 Eg : National Gallery of Art , Washington DC – a massive
building uses Greek and Roman architecture .
National Gallery of art Washington DC
Combination of Types

GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, Bilbao, Spain

Aerial view
 It seems to us that the Guggenheim museum Bilbao
is earth rooted from nothern perspective , and from
south bldg is sky oriented , its roofs appearing to
stretch up the mountains like cloud tinted by the sun .
Gehry has accented the natural unity of earth and
sky .