Skip to main content

The Architectonics of Form: Intelligibility of Space and Form in Space–Time

  • 75 Accesses

Part of the Digital Innovations in Architecture, Engineering and Construction book series (DIAEC)

Abstract

In this chapter I explore how certain aspects of the dynamics of form and embodied vision in three-dimensional spatial experience can be rendered in 3D. I take isovists along a path and plot in succession the fluctuation of their variables in three dimensions. The work builds on previous research by Psarra and Grajewski (2001, 2003) Lazaridou and Psarra (2017, 2021) and Psarra and Maldonado (ongoing). Our findings consist of prototypes and digital images, each one modelling a building by selected architects. Such modelling can provide systematic ways to compare a corpus of buildings of different styles, or buildings by the same architect over a period of time. Another advantage of this work is that it can facilitate the study of social factors in terms of interfaces between different categories of people, examining whether spatial experiences look different from the view-point of different users.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Benedikt, M. (1979). To take hold of space: Isovists and isovist fields. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 6, 47–65.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenman, P. (1999). Diagram diaries, with introduction by R.E. Somol. London: Thames & Hudson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenman, P., & Roman, M. (2016). Palladio virtuel. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forty, A. (2000). Words and buildings. London: Thames & Hudson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillier, B. (1996). Space is the machine: A configurational theory of architecture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillier, B. (2019). Structure or: Does space syntax need to radically extend theory of spatial configuration? In Proceedings of the 12th Space Syntax Symposium. Beijing Jiaotong University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillier, B., & Hanson, J. (1984). The social logic of space. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazaridou, A., & Psarra, S. (2021). How do atria affect navigation in multi-level museum environments? Architectural Science Review, 64(2021), 437–451. https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2021.1911782

  • Li, C., & Psarra, S. (2022). A comparative study of graph structures, traversability movement and exhibition strategy in museums during Covid-19. In Proceedings of the 13th Space Syntax Symposium. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. https://www.hvl.no/globalassets/hvl-internett/arrangement/2022/13sss/484li.pdf

  • Mitchell, W. J. (1990). The logic of architecture: Design, computation, and cognition. Cambridge Mass: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Psarra, S. (2003). Top-down and bottom-up characterizations of shape and space. In Proceedings of the International Space Syntax Symposium IV (pp. 3.1–18). University College London. http://www.spacesyntax.net/symposiaarchive/SSS4/fullpapers/31Psarra%20paper.pdf

  • Psarra, S., & Grajewski, T. (2001). Describing shape and shape complexity using local properties. In Proceedings of the International Space Syntax Symposium II, Georgia Institute of Technology (pp. 28.1–16).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, C. (1984). The mathematics of the ideal villa and other essays. Cambridge Mass: The MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tzonis, A., & Lefaivre, L. (1986). Classical architecture: The poetics of order. Cambridge Mass: The MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittkower, R. (1962). Architectural principles in the age of humanism. New York, London: W. W. Norton & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittkower, R., & Maria della Salute, S. (1963). Saggi e Memorie di Storia dell’ Arte, 3, 31, 33–54, 147–170.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sophia Psarra .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Psarra, S. (2023). The Architectonics of Form: Intelligibility of Space and Form in Space–Time. In: Mora, P.L., Viana, D.L., Morais, F., Vieira Vaz, J. (eds) Formal Methods in Architecture. FMA 2022. Digital Innovations in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2217-8_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2217-8_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-99-2216-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-99-2217-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)