CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE

Kiran Joshi

Chandigarh College Of Architecture

2nd Sem. M.Arch.
January – May 2019

Lecture 7
07 May 2019
 TODAY’S LECTURE

OTHER OBJECTS IN SPACE

Elements of Urban Mass

URBAN SPACE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Urban Scale
Urban Enclosure
Urban Mass
 Recapitulation -- ‘Urban Space’, ‘Open Space’ , ‘Universal Space’

Urban Space: Public Spaces Open Space: Areas of greenery Universal Space: The vast
within cities, created through in or near the city, not formal, but open space around our cities,
buildings and other elements natural, park-like in which they ‘sit’
‘Urban Space’ Typology – Streets, Squares, Precincts

Streets: Squares: Precincts

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Recapitulation – Formal Elements of Urban Space

Floor /Groundscape: (1) Level; (2) Wall /Enclosure: (1) Height; (2) Other Objects: Both Built &
Surface Texture; (3) Surface Pattern Contour; (3) Façade Design Natural – Sculptures, trees…
CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
OTHER OBJECTS IN SPACE

Elements of Urban Mass

 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space & Elements of Urban Mass

PART ONE
Buildings As ‘Objects’ In Urban Space
Relationship of Buildings and Spaces

A Building On a Space

Place Vendome, Paris

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space & Elements of Urban Mass
PART ONE
Buildings As ‘Objects’ In Urban Space
Relationship of Buildings and Spaces
A Building In a Space

St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space & Elements of Urban Mass

PART ONE
Buildings As ‘Objects’ In Urban Space
Relationship of Buildings and Spaces

A Building Projecting Into a Space

Pantheon, Rome
CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space & Elements of Urban Mass

BUILDINGS AS
‘OBJECTS’ IN URBAN
SPACE
Relationship of
Buildings and Spaces
A building projecting
into a space

A building in a space

A building on a space

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space & Elements of Urban Mass

PART TWO
Other ‘Objects’ In Urban Space
Built & Natural – Sculptures, Trees, Water bodies…

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space – Elements of Urban Mass

PART TWO
Other ‘Objects’ In Urban
Space
Built & Natural – Sculptures,
Trees, Water bodies…

CHARACTERISTICS

Form & Design Jalianwala Bagh Rly Stn, Firminy

Location / relationship with

main elements of urban
space (floor, walls)

Pattern / arrangement /
relationship with other
‘objects’

La Defense, Paris

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space – Elements of Urban Mass

CHARACTERISTICS Taj Mahal, Agra

Form & Design

Location / relationship with

main elements of urban
space

Pattern / relationship with

other ‘objects’

ROLE
Mould scale La Defense, Paris Rockefeller Plaza, NY

Give directionality

Emphasize focus

Define movement paths

Animate urban space.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space – Elements of Urban Mass

ROLE
• Mould scale
• Give directionality
• Emphasize focus
• Define movement paths
• Animate urban space.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Other ‘Objects’ in Urban Space – Elements of Urban Mass

Piazza San Marco, Venice

ROLE
Mould scale
Give directionality
Emphasize focus
Define movement paths
Animate urban space.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
URBAN SPACE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Urban Scale
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Scale

WHAT IS ‘SCALE’?

• A System of Measurement ,
Convenient to us and whatever we are measuring

• Relative Proportion or “Module” –

Full extent of a building or a city whose design is based on a
module consists of elements occurring at regular intervals – Allows
us to imagine parts that we cannot see

• Keeping things in context ‘with each other’ and ‘with people’ –

City and its parts are interrelated, and also related to people and
their abilities to comprehend their surroundings – to feel ‘in place’
in the environment

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Scale
Hierarchy of
Spatial Types Intimate Scale
based on ‘Scale’

Ranges from
small, intimate
Urbane Scale
court spaces, to
grand urban
spaces, ending
with vast space of
nature in which
Monumental Scale
the city is set.

Types derive from ‘Distance Scale of Human Vision’

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Scale – Distance Scale of Human Vision
Limitation of Distance
An important limitation of the human vision is
that we cannot see an object which is placed at a
distance of more than 3500 times its size.
CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7
General Field of Human Vision
An Irregular Cone,
Established by shape of our face
30 degrees up,
45 degrees down,
65 degrees to each side
Because the “CONES OF VIEW”
overlap along the horz. axis, we
can “see around” verticals.
Detailed Field of Human Vision
A narrow cone within larger
cone of General Field
Measures a very minute angle –
approx. equal to a thumbnail
held at arm’s length
2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Scale – Distance Scale of Human Vision
HOW DOES THIS
DETERMINE URBAN
SCALE?
‘Intimate Spaces’ of a city
are usually not more than
80’ (24m) across
‘Urbane Spaces’ are
generally around 450’
(135m)
In ‘Monumental Vistas’
greater than 4000’, human
beings cease to play a part
CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE
4000’ (1200m) – Max. distance for seeing
people, beyond which they are too small to
be seen at all.
450’ (135m) – Discern body gesture.
Maximum distance at which we can
distinguish a man from a woman, or tell if
someone is waving for a taxi, catching ball,
etc. (Max. acceptable distance in athletic
stadiums)
80’ (24m) – Recognize a friend’s face
40’ (12m) -- distinguish facial expressions.
A person 3-10’ (1-3m) from us is in ‘close’
relationship, 8’ (2.4m) is normal
conversation distance – hear normal voices,
catch subtleties of speech & facial gestures.
LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Scale – Distance Scale of Human Vision
‘INTIMATE SCALE’
of our fine old residential streets
(Not more than 80’ across)

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Scale – Distance Scale of Human Vision
‘INTIMATE SCALE’
of our fine old residential streets
(Not more than 80’ across)

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Scale – Distance Scale of Human Vision
GRAND ‘URBANE SPACES’ cannot exceed 450’ without seeming too large,
unless intermediary elements are introduced to sustain the character of the place.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Scale – Distance Scale of Human Vision
GRAND ‘URBANE SPACES’ cannot exceed 450’ without seeming too large,
unless intermediary elements are introduced to sustain the character of the place.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Scale – Distance Scale of Human Vision
In ‘MONUMENTAL VISTAS’ greater than 4000’,
human beings cease to play a part

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Scale -- Distance Scale of Human Vision
In ‘MONUMENTAL VISTAS’ greater than 4000’,
human beings cease to play a part

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
URBAN SPACE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Urban Enclosure
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Enclosure
A fundamental requirement of urban space is actual URBAN ENCLOSURE, or, its
strong articulation by physical forms.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Enclosure
A fundamental requirement of urban space is actual URBAN ENCLOSURE, or, its
strong articulation by physical forms.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Enclosure
A fundamental requirement of urban space is urban enclosure, or its strong articulation by urban forms.
Just how much enclosure is necessary?

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Enclosure
Just how much enclosure is necessary?

Our frontal field of view in a space

determines ‘degree of enclosure’
(‘sense of space’),
which is given by the
relationship of viewing distance
to building height.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Enclosure

Degree Of Enclosure:
Given by the relationship
of viewing distance to
building height.
Full Enclosure (1:1):
Since building is much
higher than the upper limit
Full Enclosure (45 degrees, 1:1): (30 degrees) of our vision,
we feel well-enclosed

Threshold of Enclosure
(1:2): Façade height
coincides with upper limit
of normal view. This is the
threshold of distraction,
the lower limit for creating
a feeling of enclosure.

Threshold of Enclosure (30 degrees, 1:2):

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Enclosure

Degree Of Enclosure:
Given by the relationship
of viewing distance to
building height.
Minimum Enclosure
(1:3): We perceive the
prominent objects beyond
Minimum Enclosure (18 degrees, 1:3) the space as much as the
space itself.

Loss of Enclosure (1:4):

The space loses its
containing quality and
peripheral facades
function more as edges.

Loss of Enclosure (14 degrees, 1:4)

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Enclosure
Spatial enclosure is also a matter of CONTINUITY OF WALL SURFACE:
However, the role of building facades must be subservient to the spaces they form.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE Piazza2 St.

LECTURE 7 Peter’s,
SEM.
ND
Rome COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Enclosure
Spatial enclosure can be weakened by too many gaps in building walls,
drastic variation among the facades and, abrupt changes in cornice line

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE Piazza2 St.

LECTURE 7 Peter’s,
SEM.
ND
Rome COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH 07 MAY2019
URBAN SPACE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Urban Mass
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Mass

45 degrees (1:1): Tend to notice details more than the

whole facade or object

30 degrees (1:2): See object as a whole composition

together with its details.

18 degrees (1:3): Tend to see the object in relation to its

surroundings.

14 degrees (1:4): Tend to see the object as a forward

edge in an overall scene.
CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Mass

45 degrees (1:1):
We tend to notice
details more than
the whole facade or
object

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Mass

30 degrees (1:2):
The distance relation
for seeing the whole
façade and its details
simultaneously

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Mass

18 degrees (1:3):
Tend to see the
object in relation to
its surroundings.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Mass

14 degrees (1:4):
Tend to see the
object as a forward
edge in an overall
scene.

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019
 Urban Space Design Principles – Urban Scale, Urban Enclosure & Urban Mass

These principles are

just starting points

In reality spaces might

be designed to be only
partially enclosed…

Or, façade continuity

may be deliberately
broken to ‘scale’ an
unusually long piazza
into comprehensible
parts …

Surface contour altered

to create a feeling of
informality…

The scope is endless

CONCEPTS OF URBAN FORM AND SPACE LECTURE 7 2ND SEM. M.ARCH., CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 07 MAY2019