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Form + Space

Pamela Williams
Jan 30, 2015
3 min read

Unity of Opposites:The principle behind the unity of opposites is that when dealing with space, one must consider both the positive and negative forms that are created. Both positive and negative space must be well-thought-out because both are interpreted in visual perception. The organization of positive space directly affects the negative space because it is the background that defines that positive space. Forms can be related to the spaces around them in various ways such as enclosure, merging with negative space, partial enclosures, surrounding negative space with positive form, as an extroverted scheme, or by terminating an axis. The deck on the residence relates to the organic space around it by surrounding the negative space, including the ground and trees, with the positive form of the deck.

Photo by Rob Karosis

Horizontal Elements: Horizontal elements that define space include the base plane, elevated plane, depressed plane and overhead plane.

An overhead plane defines specific volumes of space between it and the ground plane. The overhead plane is a major element in construction of buildings because it provides protection for interior spaces. Depending on its proportions, materials and geometry, the overhead plane can be used to visually express how it supports loads and transfers forces through a structure. On the other hand, a ceiling plane can be detached from the roof plane because it doesn’t need to carry any loads or resist external conditions. The ceiling plane can be manipulated to help define zones in a room, direct a path for movement, or improve the quality of sound and light.

Design by Apollo Architects & Associates

Vertical Elements:

Vertical elements play an important role in establishing the visual limits of a space because they can provide a sense of enclosure, separate spaces, provide structural support for floor and roof planes and aid in providing protection from external elements. They are perpendicular to the edge of a volume and can include a single vertical plane, L-shaped plane, parallel planes, U-shaped planes, and closure to a floor plane.

L-shaped planes define space in a diagonal from its corner outward. In this example, an l-shaped wall divides the work and meeting area from the rest of the space to define it as an office.

Photo by Sarah Hollins

Openings in Space:

Openings within a space help with the visual continuity of adjacent spaces and are essential in allowing people to enter into spaces, through doors, or for natural lighting and ventilation. Openings can be created in spaces within planes, at corners and between planes.

An opening within a plane is located either on a wall or ceiling and can be centered, off-center, grouped, deep-set or skylight within the background plane. In the example, the skylight is off-centered while the window is at the corner of the wall plane and both appear to be brighter than their surface plane. Additionally, the two surface planes where the openings are located appear brighter than the planes that do not have openings despite the fact that they are all the same color.

Photo by Karl Maxwell

Qualities of Architectural Space:

Properties of enclosure lead to the development of more personal qualities of architectural space that include form, color, texture, pattern, sound, proportion, scale, definition, degree of enclosure, view or outlook and light. These qualities are interpreted in a large degree of variation because each viewer will perceive a space differently based on prior experiences, culture and personal interests. Degree of enclosure relates to the form of a space while the view and light deals with the focus of the space and illumination of its surfaces and forms respectively.

In the example below, a bedroom space is created with glass panels that act as wall planes, which adds dramatic appeal through natural lighting and a view of the outdoors. The view connects the room and its surroundings for an enhanced visual relationship.