Spatial Definition Exercise

How many surfaces are required to define a space? One?

What if the wall is curved?

What if it is more curved, but it is open to the sky?

Can a horizontal plane define a space?

The images below from Francis D.K. Ching's Architecture: Form, Space and Form, 3rd ed. (p.168) illustrate variations of spatial definition.  The illustrations on the left show spaces that are more clearly defined. The images on the left are less clear. Spaces extend to the spaces beyond.

Plans and sections illustrate the relationship of space to mass. A space can have a high degree of enclosure where walls and surfaces define all sides. A space can also interlock and overlap other spaces. A missing wall can make the space feel like it extends. 

There are four primary line distinctions used in the construction of plans and sections. 

• The heaviest lines are the spatial definition or spatial profile lines. These lines form the surfaces of cut mass.
• Next, lighter lines are the profile lines for objects that are not cut. These lines form the edge of a surface when viewed beyond. Slight variation of weight can be expressed from near to far objects. 
• The lightest lines are surface articulation lines. These lines illustrate texture or minor surface joints..
• Dashed or hidden lines lines are shown in plan and indicate edges of planes above the line of the cut.

Sometimes the spatial definition lines are filled in as shown in the plan and section below.

Assignment

Part 1

Choose an image of a building interior from the resources provided. Look for an image that has partially defined space where one space opens to another or appears to extend beyond.

Construct a plan and a section through the space. Use lines as described above. The drawings do not need to be hard-lined, but do need to be relatively accurate in terms of proportions. 

The paper used and drawing instruments are your choice. Each drawing should be as large as possible, but fit on an 11"x17" sheet.

Part 2

Following the critique and discussion of your plan and section, make revisions or redraw them. 

Following the presentation of the revised/new drawings, scan the drawings and upload them to your Google Drive folder. Upload them to the main folder. I will move them to a new sub-folder once they have been graded. 

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