What’s the first image that strikes you when you hear of the term ‘space’?
Space is a term associated with a three-dimensional character in our minds. A layman may think of it in astronomical terms, while an artist sees opportunity in an invisible mass to create space out of space.
Architecturally, a space is created by enclosing an existing space to then objectify it with materiality. The design then defines that space to fit the character of the surrounding environment. Although spatial understanding can vary, the experience can be similar if consciously grasped. The experience of confinement in a tight space to an exhilarating feeling in an open field could be common to an extent. The same experience can be recreated in architectural spaces by playing with proportionality. For example, in a gothic cathedral, the grand ceiling height with an elongated aisle leading to the altar forces one to look upward stimulating a feeling of elation, while in a renaissance style, a sense of balance is evoked by forcing the onlooker to find a balanced movement along with the focal point of the architecture.
Every inch matters in a confined space because the freedom to move about within an enclosure becomes a luxury; whereas an expansive space provides a privilege to design extensively. Either way, it is challenging to carve out space out of a compact space and exert continuity when there is a generous amount of space.
To simplify it further, here is a space characterized by light and shadow to evoke different spatial expressions;
An enclosure to create a space of visible mass that elicits a feeling of expanse with no sense of direction.
Emptiness . . .
Highlighting the central wall to create a focal point that the observer is lured towards.
Highlight it. . .
Elongating a space by painting the enclosing walls a darker shade.
Draw out. . .
Controlling the height of the space by adding in a ceiling of a darker shade.
Nadir. . .
A sense of gloom envelopes the space by darkening the interiors making the enclosure seem tighter than is.
A shade of murk. . .
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