POSITIVE NEGATIVE SPACES

Sai A. Pradhan l L. S. Raheja School of Architecture Traversing Through Architecture

FIGURE 14: DIE MACHEREI, AUSTRIA The built environment is created to serve a specific purpose. The shaping of this usable space is the primary function of architecture. Positive spaces are the functional spaces where the users spend most of their time dwelling, lingering or engaged in social interaction. On the other hand, negative spaces are the left-over spaces formed around these positive spaces. They render balance and give a sense of direction to the users while moving between positive spaces.

`The human behavior is constantly being influenced by the surrounding built form as we often move through negative spaces and stay in positive spaces. We, as architects, often design the built environment with the form of the buildings in our mind. In an urban context, the facades of the buildings form a vertical plane to at least two other spaces. (Frederick, 101 Things I Learned In Architecture School) Thus, the positive spaces influence the spatial characteristics of the adjacent positive and negative spaces. Public open spaces are often a result of the positive spaces abutting them and thus add movement and function to the public spaces.

FIGURE 15: SALK INSTITUTE BY LOUIS I. KAHN (FLICKR) The elements of the built form give a character to the spaces between two or more structures or spaces. Negative spaces are the ancillary areas around the enclosed spaces which accentuate their experiential and spatial quality. Although termed as unintended and unused spaces, these spaces give meaning and direction to the positive spaces. They give a flow to the functional spaces and help the users navigate through them as they give them a sense of space and place.

Negative spaces have the power to keep the passers-by engaged with the built environment and thereby enhance the experience of the built form while still segregating the public spaces from the private spaces. The Salk Institute by Louis I. Kahn uses the negative spaces between the two research towers to encourage social interactions and allow flow of ideas between the various wings of research. The various laboratories and offices are strategically placed to allow a visual connect between multiple spaces in the structure which gives the user a sense of security.

Therefore, the spatial organization is the fundamental composition in creation of a particular space which is a result of the relation between form and space. (Ghosh, 2020) When various individual elements and structures are placed in an organized way or pattern, the users experience a sense of place. The placement of the positive spaces thus becomes important in order to create a cohesive design. Some of the ways two spaces can be related to each other is interlocked spaces, spaces linked by a common space, etc.

Sai A. Pradhan l L. S. Raheja School of Architecture Traversing Through Architecture

FIGURE 17: SPACE LOOSELY DEFINED FIGURE 16: ENCLOSED SPACES DEFINED

Interlocked spaces are formed when the volume of two spaces overlap each other, resulting in a third space that gets shared by the two spaces. This shared space can have characteristics of each of the spaces or allow the spaces to retain their individual character. The third space can either be a negative space, allowing movement between the spaces or a positive space with a defined function.

Spaces linked by a common space is defined as the third space which links two positive spaces and thus gives movement between these spaces. The third space can have a different orientation and form from the other two spaces with contrasting or similar materials and size of elements. The third space can thus have its own identity separate from the adjoining spaces.

FIGURE 18: TYPES OF INTERLOCKED SPACES

Sai A. Pradhan l L. S. Raheja School of Architecture Traversing Through Architecture

This third space is a negative space which is formed as a result of the placement and orientation of the structures around them. The spatial organization of spaces thus become vital in the designing of such negative spaces. This can be attained through various methods such as height and proximity which determine the sense of enclosure that they impart to the user. (Habitat Theory, n.d.)

A sense of enclosure can be introduced through landscape elements or a vertical façade. However, to achieve a desirable sense of enclosure, it is important that the vertical element is taller than the eye level. This enclosure can be used to attain privacy, blocking certain areas or directing the user through various spaces. When the vertical planes are at the eye level or shorter, they subdivide spaces and create areas for the users to maneuver around.

A sense of enclosure can be introduced through landscape elements or a vertical façade. However, to achieve a desirable sense of enclosure, it is important that the vertical element is taller than the eye level. This enclosure can be used to attain privacy, blocking certain areas or directing the user through various spaces. When the vertical planes are at the eye level or shorter, they subdivide spaces and create areas for the users to maneuver around.

FIG URE 19: F ULLY E NCL OSE D SPACE

Sai A. Pradhan l L. S. Raheja School of Architecture Traversing Through Architecture

FIGURE 21: ASYMMETRIC IMPLIED SPACE FIGURE 20: DIRECTIONAL IMPLIED SPACE

FIGURE 22: DIRECTIONAL ENCLOSED SPACE These are some of the examples of enclosed spaces. The placement and orientation form a key role in guiding the user through the spaces. Long, narrow spaces form implied directional spaces where as spaces enclosed from all directions, may give become a part of the spatial character of the negative spaces. The verticality of the structures impacts the line of site of the user and thus impacts the perception of the user while entering a space.

The given figure explains the formation of an enclosed space as a result of the surrounding structures. However, the aligned accesses to the structures renders a sense of continuity to the space which diminishes the impact of the enclosure.

Sai A. Pradhan l L. S. Raheja School of Architecture Traversing Through Architecture

FIGURE 23: MAXIMALLY ENCLOSED SPACE

FIGURE 24: APPROACH SIGHTLINE GIVES ATTENTION TO LANDSCAPE BEYOND. THUS, THE PERCEIVED ENCLOSURE IS REDUCED.

Positive spaces contain enclosed areas that engage the users in primary functions whereas negative spaces are the remaining spaces that highlight the positive spaces and give direction to the users while moving from one space to another. The placement and orientation of these types of spaces gives rhythm and a sense of unity to the area. The spatial organization vastly impacts the line of site of the users and hence determines the quality of experience of the spaces.