The Idea of Space

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Recommended: Distinctively American architecture began with Frank Lloyd Wright

THE IDEA OF SPACE

The concept of space is an important architectural feature that distinguishes it from other artistic activities. It is the three dimensional aspect of space that a person can find his or herself within. A painting is simply two dimensional, even if the artist could introduce other dimensions to it, the viewer can only see the painting on a flat canvas. Sculpture is three-dimensional however people can see that from the outside and immediately relate to it. Architecture is very much similar to a large statue that has been simply carved from the inside so that one can live and dwell from within. From this perspective, architectural space is not just only the picture of places our heritage and us have lived, but most importantly it is the kind of environment or stage, where living actually takes place. Architectural space is a space that is within the normal activities of humans and the relationships and events that one goes through on a daily basis. One of the greatest architects that introduced this aspect within the buildings he erected is Frank Lloyd Wright.

Frank Lloyd Wright was born on June 8, 1867. He was an American educator, writer, and an architect who was responsible for designing more than 1000 various structures. He was one of the first architects to break with the concept of eclecticism and introduced a new style based on the special connection of interpenetrating planes and abstract masses. His vision in life was to emphasize the importance of machines in architecture and his origins on sensitivities, arts and crafts. Frank Lloyd Wright also focused on the relationship of the human body within space and within the surrounding nature using the architectural language of symbolic geometry.

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...Univ. of Washington Pr.Peter Blake. (January 1, 1964).

An excellent book to understand Frank Lloyd Wright’s background. This book helped to understand his other projects that argue the use of free and floating spaces in his various designs.

9) Leonardo Benevolo. 1971. History of Modern Architecture. Vol. 2. Cambridge, MA: M.I.T. Press.

Explains the modern architecture and the new concept of space. Also I will be explaining how other architects used these theories of architecture in their designs.

10) Ursel Berger. 2006. "Barcelona-Pavillon: Mies Van Der Rohe & Kolbe : Architektur & Plastik = Barcelona Pavilion : Mies Van Der Rohe & Kolbe : Architecture & Sculpture." Jovis.

I will be using some of the pictures and drawing within this book to understand the flowing spaces he tried to covey. Understanding the use of sculpture to emphasize the free space.

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