Project 3: Entry, Path, and Destination

We have been studying form and space and the numerous issues these subjects introduce, including spatial relationships and organizations. Another critical aspect of space becomes the human movement through it. With this project, we examined the ideas of entry, path, and destination. We were to design a spatial sequence that connects the top and bottom of a sloped site. The sequence incorporated a series of spaces and explored a few of a list of architectural ideas. Some of these ideas included symmetry and asymmetry, centralized and linear, ascending and descending, tension, axiality, and distortion (this is not the entire list, mind you).

Understanding the importance of movement through space is vital for architects. Christian Norberg-Schulz, a noted architect who writes on the meaning of place, has asserted that the path represents the leaving of a place and a journey to another, representing "a basic property of human existence and is one of the great original symbols."

The ideas expressed in my model are compression and expansion, with the path and spaces repeating this pattern. As you can see from the model, the circulation throughout the path was designed to expand into larger spaces and compress down to just enough room for people to squeeze through. In doing this, the site begins to mess with the mind. For example, let's say you were walking through a very narrow space. At the end of this path there is a room 10' x 10'. Not necessarily a very big space, but it would feel bigger after coming out of the narrow space as opposed to having a wider path leading into the space. This effect also works when pacing something into a large space to make it feel smaller. Take a look at the model. About half way up from the starting point are a set of columns within a curved space. This space is actually decently large, yet it seems constricted and packed just because the columns were placed there.

At the end of the path is a large space that extends out a bit. This was placed so that those walking through the path could oversee where they've just been and reflect on how they felt during this journey.