UNIT 6 – THE EXPERIENCE OF ARCHITECTURE

There are many concepts that have an effect on the architectural experience, like place, space, form, funtion, materiality and structure.

PLACE
Relation of contrast (juxtaposition/abstraction), relation of camouflage (mimesis), relation of organicism (a nod to the place), contextualism (meaning, justification).

SPACE

CLASSIC SPACE

It is closed and compact due to the massive wall type.

**Renaissance**– centralised with one symmetry axis

**Baroque**– centralized spaces with tension (two axes in the ellipse).

SPACES WITHOUT A CENTER

japanase (traditional) space

Based on modules of tatami, sum of individual rooms

modern space

breaks the «box» and lets the space flow

Contemporary space

The entire building space is unique and continuous. The concept of FREE SECTION is born: it consists of ending the tyranny of the horizontal plane, deforming it, twisting it, etc.

FORM
rhythm: Sequence/repetition of shapes in space.

axis: linear element that marks a direction and distributes the space or elements around it.

symmetry: regular arrangement of parts or points of a body or figure in relation
to a centre, axle or plan.

hierarchy: relationship of supremacy of an element over others based on an established approach.

module: a unitary element which serves as a proportional unit, and which is repeated on the same scale or at different scales.

grid: composition based on a grid of axes serving as a guide.

movement: the irregularity of forms and the variants of order inspire the idea of movement, of displacement.

unity: the relationship of the parts to the whole so that nothing should be removed or added.

centrality: organization of space around a center that creates attraction towards it

balancing: complementary relationship between the elements of a composition

limits: it is the edge of the elements of the composition where there is a change from the rest.

light:

Architecture is the learned game; correct and magnificent of forms assembled in the light. Our eyes are made to see the forms under the light: the shadows and the clearings reveal the forms.
Le Corbusier

contrast: chromatic manifestation of the elements to be used

colour: chromatic manifestation of the elements to be used

texture: surface finishing of the elements involved in the final perception of architecture.

proportion: harmonic relation of dimensions according to certain mathematical or geometric rules.

scale: relation between the size of the building and the size of the human being.
Sizing referred to a selected unit.

FUNCTION

mechanical→ industrial revolution, form is direct + mech consequence of its function, beauty comes from perfect mechanical efficiency not for the deliberate search of beauty.

organic→ form takes on a biological sense, adapts itself to the living functions carried out in the environment. develops from within outwards

moralism functionality → Beauty means to make visible its utility, defining what is useful acquires a capital importance in this approach to modern functionalism and becomes a moral issue

MATERIALITY AND STRUCTURE

technology form and materials are related

materials → technology and materials are replaced with new ones but shames remain, expressed as symbols of the first materials and the primitive need to protect man.

traditional materials: stone, earth, bricks, wood