Dissertation I 2020
Boundaries in Architecture Understanding the change in significance of wall Shamim Ahmad
A/2868/2015
9th semester , 5th year Section- A Word count -9000
Date- 02/12/2020
Guide- Prof. Manoj Mathur
Coordinator- Prof. Mekhla Parihar
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
4, Block B, Beside State Bank Of India, Indraprashta Marg, IP Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110002 Dissertation | 2020
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DECLARATION
The research work embodied in this dissertation titled “Boundaries in Architecture” has been carried out by the undersigned as part of the undergraduate Dissertation programme in the Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, under the supervision of Prof. Manoj Mathur.
The undersigned hereby declares that this is his original work and has not been plagiarised in part or full form from any source.
Signature of candidate
Name : Shamim Ahmad Roll No.: A/2868/2015
Year and Section: 5th year, section-A
Date: 02/12/2020
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Certificate Certificate This dissertation, titled “Boundaries in Architecture” by Shamim Ahmad,
roll no. A/2868/2015, was carried out during the Fifth Year, Ninth Semester (2020) This dissertation, “Boundaries Architecture” by our Shamim Ahmad,
B.Arch. Program intitled the Department ofin Architecture, under guidance during
Certificate
roll no. A/2868/2015, was carried out during the Fifth Year, September - December 2020.
Ninth Semester (2020) B.Arch. Program in the Department of Architecture, under our guidance during This dissertation, titled “Boundaries in Architecture” by Shamim Ahmad,
September - December On completion of the report in all aspects and based2020. on the declaration by the candidate roll no. A/2868/2015, was carried out during the Fifth Year, Ninth Semester (2020)
above, we provisionally accept this dissertation report and forward the same to the B.Arch. Program in the Department of Architecture, under our guidance during On completion report in allSchool aspects basedand on Architecture, the declaration by Delhi, the candidate Departmentofofthe Architecture, ofand Planning New India.
September - December 2020.
above, we provisionally accept this dissertation report and forward the same to the
Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India.
report and forward the same to the above, we provisionally accept this dissertation
On completion of the report in all aspects and based on the declaration by the candidate Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India.
Guide : Prof. MANOJ MATHUR
Guide : Prof. MANOJ MATHUR
Guide : Prof. MANOJ MATHUR
Coordinator : Prof. MEKHLA PARIHAR
Coordinator : Prof. MEKHLA PARIHAR
Coordinator : Prof. MEKHLA PARIHAR
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Acknowledgement I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to my guide
Prof. Manoj Mathur
for his able guidance, untiring efforts and sincere advice. This research work titled “Boundaries in architecture"could not have been taken its final form without his involvement. My sincere thanks to my coordinator Prof. Mekhla Parihar For lending me her precious time and comments .
I am thankful to
Dr. (Prof.) Jaya Kumar for her useful suggestions.
I would like to dedicate this dissertation to
my Ammi and Abba
without their constant support this work would not have been possible during this pandemic. My sincere thanks to Prerna Jha , Omi Bharadwaj , Kumar Shivam & Lukman Khan to help me improve through the process of this dissertation. I must acknowledge the encouragement and help I received from family members, friends and relatives enabled me to translate my academic interest into a reality & my sincere appreciation to all of them. Dissertation | 2020
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Abstract The paper aims to study the boundaries in architecture and the significant change in form of wall as a boundary element. The architectural space is the three dimensional form, which is formulated by the element in the both horizontal and vertical plane. These elements are the elements of boundary, that are wall, roof and floor. The study is focusing on the role of wall in spatial formation and the evolution in the form of wall After establishment of International Congresses of Modern Architecture (CIAM), when modern architecture started spreading throughout the world. Due to introduction of new material and technique there were major changes observed in the form of building as a result, the form of the wall has also changed. The objective of this research is to understand the concept of boundaries in a space and illustrate the evolutionary process of the walls through the secondary case study of the work of Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, Louis Kahn, Zaha Hadid, B. V. Doshi , which were the best possible ways in the time of COVID19 pandemic. The articulation of the research will be thoroughly dealt in six chapters right from introducing the research topic to the need of the research. Setting a paradigm for the study by literature review and choosing a proper methodology for the propagation of research. After doing the case study it is analysed that the wall becomes an independent boundary element , which acted the most prominent role in deciding the building form, so the research concluded that the wall evolved the spatial characteristic and it shaped up the buildings in various forms. The wall gets more opportunities to experiment with the various materials with the time and it is still exploring with various parameters like sustainability, parametric design and modern technologies are shaping the form of wall in contemporary time. Keywords : Boundaries , element of boundary, architectural space , wall , modern architecture
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List of Figures Fig. 1. Illustration of boundaries and showing formation of spaces.
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Fig. 2. Research framework
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Fig. 3. Bremen Cathedral – north aisle, showing a reticular vault with intersecting ribs.
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Fig. 4. Church of the Assumption, St Marein, Austria – showing star vault with intersecting lierne ribs
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Fig. 5. Salamanca Cathedral, Spain Flamboyant showing S-shaped and circular lierne ribs. (16th–18th century)
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Fig. 6. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, showing from of the building that is more emphasising on form of roof.
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Fig. 7. Non-radial rib vault in the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan.
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Fig. 8. The Crystal Palace, showing the first buildings to have cast plate glass windows supported by a cast-iron frame
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Fig. 9. The ten-story Home Insurance Building in Chicago,
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Fig.10. The first house built of reinforced concrete, designed by François Coignet (1853) in Saint-Denis near Paris
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Fig.11. All-directional Perspective: New National Gallery , by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe showing composition of
spaces by the wall
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Fig.12. 2-Directional Perspective Drawing: Resor House by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, Showing the composition of
spaces by the wall .
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Fig.13. 1-Directional Perspective Drawing: German Pavilion, Tugendhat House by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe,
showing composition of spaces by the wall
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Fig.14. Research methodology.
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Fig.15. Villa Savoye , showing the form of buildings, wall and openings.
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Fig.16. Villa Savoye , showing the larger glass wall.
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Fig.17. Ground floor plan of Villa Savoye, showing form of wall and its. Independency form structural system.
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Fig.18. Mill Owners' Association Building, Ahmedabad ,showing the form of building and composition of walls in facade .
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Fig.19. Section of Notre Dame du Haut showing form of wall and the unique openings in the wall
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Fig.20. Form of the Notre Dame du Haut, showing the unique form of building composed by the wall
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Fig.21. View of Chandigarh court , showing the unique composition of building by the wall and the openings in the wall.
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Fig.22. View of Pavillon Le Corbusier , showing the independency of wall from the structural system
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Fig.23. German Pavilion, Barcelona, by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe ; showing the minimalism in the form composed
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by the multi functional walls.
Fig.24. Plan of German Pavilion, Barcelona showing the linear form. and composition of rational spaces
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Fig.25. View of Villa Tugendhat, showing the glass wall
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Fig.26. Plan of Villa Tugendhat, showing composition of spaces
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with the different kind of walls and have unique composition
of open semi-open spaces.
Fig.27. Plan of Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois ; showing
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minimalism and linear composition of spaces
Fig.28. View of Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois
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Fig.29. View of Salk Institute for Biological Studies by Louis Kahn;
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Showing the composition of wall in building form.
Fig.30. View of Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban, Dhaka ; showing the
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composition of building form with curve , linear form and
the openings in the wall.
Fig.31. View of Heydar Aliyev Centre ; showing the unique parametric
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shape of wall, where all the boundary elements are
acting as one element
Fig.32. View of Life Insurance Corporation Housing, by B.V. Doshi ;
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showing the linear composition of building by the wall
Fig.33. View of SANGATH, B.V. Doshi’s office ; showing unique curvilinear
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shape of wall, where all the boundary elements are
acting as one element .
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Table of content CHAPTER 1
Introduction
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1.1 Introduction
1.2 Research question
1.3 Aims
1.4 Objective
1.5. Hypothesis
1.6 Scope and limitations
1.7 Chapter outline
1.8 Research Framework
CHAPTER 2
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Literature review 2.1 Overview
2.2 Architectural space
2.3 Boundary
2.4 Element of boundary
2.5 body
CHAPTER 3
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Research methodology 3.1 Introduction
3.2 Introduction to secondary case studies
3.3 Qualitative analysis
3.4 Structure
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CHAPTER 4
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Case study 4.1 Overview
4.2 Le Corbusier’s work
4.3 Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe’s work
4.4 Louis kahn’s work
4.5 Zaha Hadid’s work
4.6. B.V. Doshi’s work
CHAPTER 5
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Analysis and findings 5.1 Overview
5.2 Visual characteristic of the wall
5.3 Significant change in the spatial characteristic.
CHAPTER 6
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Conclusion CHAPTER 7
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Bibliography
CHAPTER 8
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Reference
CHAPTER 9
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Plagiarism report
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Introduction 1.1 Introduction Each and every existence in the world has their own specificity and uniqueness. Boundaries allow these heterogeneities to persist and let us know that everything exists for its own cause and simultaneously react with each other to make a profound existence. Pragmatism says that we must separate hot from cold; here from there. Even in religious domains, there exists a boundary between sacred norms and profane which is essential for the proper functioning. Boundary creates physiology with the space and limits the space. Spatial boundaries are the perception in the space which may be perceived by material, level difference, light shadow, colour differences or many more. Likewise, boundaries are the elements in the architectural space which have been changing with change of time in its functionality, material quality and technological advancement.
Fig. 1. Illustration of boundaries and showing formation of spaces; Dissertation | 2020
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The way nature and societal existence have some notion of boundaries, in architecture too we must recognise the idea of separation of one place from another. Here, boundary plays various roles as periphery, internal walls, external walls, roof and floors.
These all allow the architect to separate or create two distinct realms. To construct spatial division in horizontal direction, walls are the plausible element whereas roofs and floors are the elements of a space to act as a vertical separation. Material size, thickness, phycology, anthropology and various technologies are the variables which give boundary a structural and functional presence in a unique sense.
Among all the elements of boundary, the wall is the important design element in the space which evolved after modernism. From time memorial walls have played a significant role in giving a space the best functionality and sensibility. The wall is neither completely subordinate to the surrounding spaces nor completely independent from it, the wall as an element and the surrounding space are mutually related but independent from each other as well it is influenced by the surrounding spaces, but functions as an important factor to constitute characteristics of the space at the same time.Therefore, the specific wall and the space around it should be considered in their interrelationship(Do-sik Kim,2015,a).
Walls should not be perceived as a boundary and an element for privacy only but also an important gateway to the different but relatable worlds. Hence, it is the prerequisite to understand the emerging trends like sustainability, parametric and modern technologies effect on the concept of wall so that wall functionality and sensibility can be shaped to be in pace with the changing world.
Keywords: Boundary, Function, Wall, Roof, floor Space, Special Perception,
1.2 Research Questions 1. How the form and shape of wall as a boundary changed after modernism ?
2. How spatial significance plays role in evolution of wall as a boundary element?
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1.3 Aims To understand the form of wall as an architectural boundary in a space and how its form has been evolving along with modernism. To analyse how various parameters like sustainability, parametric design and modern technologies are shaping the form of wall in contemporary time.
1.4 Objectives 1. Understand the concept of boundaries in a space and illustrate the evolutionary process of the walls.
2. To analyse specific spatial effects produced by the wall as a boundary element.
3. To examine the visual characteristic of the wall in terms of form and function?
4. Understanding new concept of the wall before modernism and how that it evolved after modernism.
1.5 Hypothesis With the change in significance of form of building after modernism, due to introduction of new technology and materials there are changes in the form of the walls as well it plays an important role in changing the building forms.
1.7 Overview The wall has been always shaped according to the function of the space. Its utility has changed with time due to advancement in technology, needs, psychological and cultural aspects of spaces. Today, architecture is becoming more collaborative and involves sustainability, parametric and various technologies and these are radically changing the design constraints of the architecture. Hence, all the spaces are redefining and that is affecting the form and function of walls.
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Therefore, the research starts with the understanding of the evolutionary process of wall after modernism and shifting focus on analysing the forms and the functions of the walls in contemporary time.
The advancement in industries, technology and engineering started impacting the architectural setting also.Modern architecture emerged in the late nineteenth century architects started to create which were something more functional and new to the earlier style with the introduction of new building material, technique. There were many opportunities in the field of architecture to improve the form and function of the buildings . Idea of functionalism and minimalism became international and ornamentation in the buildings was rejected gradually. The idea of modernism evolved till the first half of the 20th century but gradually it is totally implemented throughout the world after World War II and it has become a principal style in architecture(Modern architecture, WIkipedia). By the late 1920s, modernism had become an important movement in Europe(Modern architecture, WIkipedia). Architecture started going international, which was previously predominant in the national sphere. With technological advancement and the world coming closer, architects also traveled and explored different cultures. They came into contact with architects of different regions, in-turn, influenced and got influenced with each other's ideas. Various competition, expositions were organised. For instance, the competition for the headquarters of League of Nations in 1927, in which Le Corbusier along with many prominent architects participated. In the same year various leading modernist architects in Europe were invited to design twenty-one houses(Modern architecture, WIkipedia). The International Congress of Modern Architecture was founded in 1928 and organised a series of events arranged across Europe with the aim to spread the principles of the modern architectural Movement emphasising every major aspect of architecture(Modern architecture, WIkipedia). This Congress which was established with the proposal of most prominent architects - Le corbusier and Pierre Chareau and others was disbanded in 1959.
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1.6 Scope and limitations This research includes many scopes in the field of architecture to understand the latest technology which can make a wall more efficient and inclusive with various aspects.
This may also help in a stand in the construction technique which involves in reforming the form of wall. The limitation of the research is to understand the walls after modernism to the contemporary time. This research has constraints of limited time.
1.7 Chapter Outline The articulation of the research will be thoroughly dealt in chapters right from introducing the research topic to the need of the research and setting a paradigm for the study by literature review and setting up a methodology for the propagation of research. Moving further research will try to elucidate about the evolutionary process of the walls. After that, understanding the signal sequence of changing form of wall after modernism to the contemporary time. After tracing the evolution regarding the form of wall, this work studies the five prominent architects and tries to analyse how the wall forms are changing today with the changing parameters.
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1.8 Research Framework Understanding and defining the Boundaries
Background of change in significance of wall and its form
Literature review to identify gaps in the research
Framing Research Questions, Objectives, Aims, Scope and Limitation
Need of Research
Outcomes of
Identifying the Research Methodology
Secondary case study
Conclusion
Analyzing five
architects work
Research
Fig. 2. Research framework Dissertation | 2020
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2. Literature Review 2.1 Overview Considering my objectives and research question “How the form and shape of the wall as a boundary changed after modernism ? This paper is first identifying the gaps and defining all the parameters through the various literature. understand the boundary , space , element of boundaries , sense god boundary and modernism in architecture
2.2 Architectural space It is often said that architecture is a combination of space and form. Space compasses the volume of the structure, part of the building we move through and experience , but space can only be created through the use of form(Gio Valle). The form is the mass, or grouping of material, used to give a building its shape. We can look at the spaces in terms of positive or negative spaces as built and unbuilt . Built are the space which has the mass and it can be an enclosure or solid boundary of some definite form.The area inside the closed or solid boundary are called the architectural space , so it shows that architecture occurs where form and space come together. The book 'Architecture form space and order' by Francis D.K. Ching provides a detailed insight in the principal constituent of architecture from primary elements to the combination and the formulation of other entities of architecture. It includes circulations, proportion, scale and other immaterial qualities spread across the seven chapters. The book starts the discussion from the very basic entity in space i.e a point and takes it to the formulation of a line and a line to a plane and a plane to a three-dimensional form. The extensive use of sketches makes the reading and grasping the concept a visual journey and the author parallels the examples from different cultures and geography. The book provides a wholesome yet very basic view on architecture. In starting chapters, it deals with basic constituents of three dimensional form and how a three-dimensional form carves out a space within space; how different forms combine to sculpt a space; Dissertation | 2020
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how different forms give a very different and unique character to a space very different from its own; how surfaces and planes act differently with light shade and textures. The author very crisply deals with the character of form and how they have been used in famous monumental structures across different cultures The author combines all the elements through his discussion which is one of the beautiful qualities of the book. For instance, it combines the discussion of a point to a plane with circulation and forms it very intelligently.
2.3 Boundary The boundary which creates the architectural spaces . Boundaries are the element in the architectural space which separates or divides the space . It creates the physiology with the space and limits the space.Whenever we stand in between two or more trees , spatial feelings are different from where we stand is open, trees are also acting as boundaries in a space and this is created by nature. There may be two kind of separation of spaces horizontal and vertical separation , boundary plays most important role in creating the architectural spaces and enhancing spatial quality through their unique form and function Michael Graves wrote about boundary in his book “Sense of boundary" , he gives elucidation on the quality of boundary, an idea of separation from one place to other ,, through his he wanted to to focus on how an architectural space is formed and the role of a boundary in a space . These are many values associated with the boundary ,like the physiological and architectural . The boundary is an element in a space which creates a separate space from humans so the idea of separation of spaces can be of any kind , it might be physical or physiological . Whenever we stand at the bank of a river , there is no physical boundary there but that gives us some sense of separation because of the difference between two medium , so the sense of separation can be created by air , light and shadow. The author is explaining about heterogeneity of space so that there is a need for a boundary to create a space for creation of our individual realm. The sense of boundary that allows the architects to construct the wall for separation and creation of space . Walls play a very significant role as boundary elements in formation of spaces, it has lots of opportunity to separate or connect the spaces . Dissertation | 2020
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By making changes in the form of walls , the sense of boundary totally changed. Like if we create a door or window in a wall the sense of boundary gets changed totally , so the wall is the most important element of boundary which can make the heterogeneity in the space.
2.4 Element of boundary The space is the three dimensional form which is formulated by the element in the both horizontal and vertical plane, these elements are the elements of boundary . The horizontal elements which separate the space in the horizontal plane are the floor and roof. The vertical elements which separate the space in the vertical plane , that is the wall. The form of the architectural space and its quality depends on the floor, roof, wall . These are the main elements acting as a boundary to construct an architectural space in many plausible ways , so the spatial quality depends on the form and shape of these elements . The form of these elements are changing through the age of architecture.
2.4.1 Element of boundary before modernism The floors were mostly hidden in the building form so that is not much explored , there were some significant changes also observed in the form of floor but that were rarely seen in the buildings , the form of floor only depends on the topography so the change is not much observed.
The walls were also not acting as the main element to construct the building form . It was just a supporting element for the roof . Due to acting as structural elements ,they were never independent boundary elements . So the flexibility in the form of walls was not observed much before modernism . Walls were highly ornamented because there were no any contribution in the building form so due to less aesthetic , they need to hide and ornamented . This ornamentation also showed walls were not independent boundary elements before modernism .
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Fig. 3. Bremen Cathedral – north aisle, a reticular (net) vault with intersecting ribs.
Fig.4. Church of the Assumption, St Marein, Austria – star vault with
Fig.6. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, built in
Fig. 5. Salamanca Cathedral, Spain Flamboyant S-shaped and circular lierne ribs. (16th–18th century)
Fig.7. Non-radial rib vault in the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan
If we are looking at the building before modernism there was more emphasis on the form of the roof to create a building form , so there was significant change was observed in the form of roof .
These buildings easily explain that how roof is given more emphasis and walls and floor are only a support system to the roof, all the building forms are totally designed in to express the roof , these are the example of gothic an Islamic architecture , that all are before the modernism ,
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In these five buildings we can easily observe how wall is supporting the roof and floor is hidden , and even there were more significant change were observed in the form of roof with time , roof was the most iconic elements in the building so the form of the building are totally depend on it or according to the roof , so before modernism roof acted as most important and more explored boundary .
2.4.2 After modernism Modern architecture came with the start of various new materials , technologies and engineering . In the last nineteenth century modernism started spreading all over the world. At that time architecture was totally lost with old style in which very few materials
Fig.8. The Crystal Palace (1851) was one of the first buildings to have cast plate glass windows supported by a cast-iron frame Dissertation | 2020
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were
Fig.9. the ten-story Home Insurance Building in Chicago, built in 1884 by William Le Baron Jenney.
Fig.10. The first house built of reinforced concrete, designed by François Coignet (1853) in SaintDenis near Paris
explored. All the architects started to give a fresh look to the building with the new material and technology.
The replica of modern architecture first was first shown in the building Crystal Place, when new material like plate glass, steen were used in construction of these buildings. This building was designed by Joseph Paxton and first exhibited in 1851. After this a glass curtain wall was also made for the first time. These kinds of developments in buildings led to the construction of the first ten storey skyscraper Home insurance building in Chicago . This is the steel framed structure that was first introduced in this building by William Le Baron Jenney.
Asides from the principles of modern architecture , summarised by American architect Louis Sullivan as ‘form follows function’ , as modernism came there were various new philosophies and the architecture was explained in a new way(Ray Turner,2017). There was
another principle of modernism which was summarised by famous architect
Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe as ‘less is more’ as the space is more functional with very minimal form. Architecture was lost in the past , so with the beginnings of a new way of life , the architectural style also needed to create some new aesthetics.
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In earlier buildings , that were more focused on ornamentation and the facade of the buildings was fully ornamented . These ornamentation restricts the function of the spaces , so there were various modern principles that more emphasised on the building forms rather than on ornamentations.the very pioneer modernist architect Le Corbusier declared the ‘a house is a machine for living in’. Colours like the grey or cream , white are another sign of modernist architecture.
2.4.3 Walls as boundary element After modernism due to the introduction of new building elements as structural elements, the wall becomes an independent element . So there were more opportunities in the evolution of the form of walls . Due to being an independent element , the form of walls were started more emphasising to create or redesign the architectural space in a more plausible way . So the walls become the most important element to create building from.
2.5 Body
2.5.1 Review on a Journal A Studies on Mies van der Rohe’s Wall as “Object” and its Spatial Characteristics
Do-sik Kim
Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Ajou University, Korea
This journal analyses the evolution and spatial characteristics of specific walls that distinguished Mies van der Rohe’s building by introducing the concept of the wall as an object for analysis tool(Do-sik Kim,2015).
This journal is the complete study of the walls as an object and it is explained by the work of Mies van der Rohe’s, using his various projects. He designed many buildings and created various kinds of spaces, through his work.
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The author compared the kind of spaces he created and explained how the wall is functioning in creation of space and what is the meaning of wall in the space, specially talking about the interior space and how the wall is dividing the space and interrelated to the space. They are showing how the function and the meaning of the wall changes time to time. He showed the characteristics and evolution of the walls as an object. Early architecture by Mies includes neither free spaces with open plans nor the wall, which is an independent element(Do-sik Kim,2015). In 1923 in the Brick Country House project free space and the wall constituting it appeared for the first time.
Fig.11. All-directional Perspective: New National Gallery , by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe showing composition of spaces by the wall
Fig.12. 2-Directional Perspective Drawing: Resor House by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, Showing the composition of spaces by the wall .
Fig.13. 1-Directional Perspective Drawing: German Pavilion, Tugendhat House by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, showing composition of spaces by the wall
The author also explains about the changes in spatial characteristics of the wall as an object. In the initial work of Mies van der Rohe’s, buildings are composed of enclosed boxes but after 1923 his work includes both enclosed spaces and open spaces(Do-sik Kim,2015). In this way the characteristic of the wall changes with the permutations and combinations of the wall, the meaning of space totally changed from his early days work to the final work.
Through all the things the author showed how the wall as an object is the signature method for Mies to define a space and he explained how the wall as an object is neither completely subordinate to the surrounding space nor completely independent from it. The wall as an object and the surrounding space are mutually related but independent from each other as well(Do-sik Kim,2015.
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He explains how the wall is influenced by the surrounding space but functions as an important factor to constitute characteristics in Mies work(Do-sik Kim,2015).
2.5.2 Le Corbusier ; Towards an architecture The primary focus of Le Corbusier’s book “Towards an architecture” is that houses should be the machine for the loving being, he was one of the famous influences of modern architecture . He was things that evolution distract us alway so we should not monument past completely free from the old things or style . He alway wanted to give a fresh look to a building not ornamented , he was thinking the architectural space is for humans to live in. He worked on his own aesthetics that is more focusing on the building form , function and materials. He summarises modern architecture in five points: pilots, roof garden, free facade, free plane and horizontal windows.
His more emphasis on the new way of life , at that time there were lots of new technique and materials are invented , so he responded this new things through his work , he was thinking , the engineers been to embrace new technologies and simple structures that served the people so architect should also have to embrace with some new aesthetics. He wanted to connect the architecture that was lost in the past . The new artistic aesthetic would be derived from the new way of life .
2.5.3 Sigfried Giedion ; Space,Time and Architecture A milestone in modern thought, Space, Time and Architecture has been reissued many times since its first publication in 1941 and this revised edition presents Mr. Giedioin's classic work with some new sections and illustrations(Sigfried Giedion,2009).
This book talks about the work of lead contemporary architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius.
Giedion gave detailed analyses of the Le Corbusier's only building in the U.S. that is the Caroenter accented at Harvard University and his Priory of La Tourette near Lyons(Sigfried Giedion,2009). He also talked about the relationships with his clients and his impact on contemporary architecture.
Giedion's book also traces the work of Mies van der Rohe and Alvar Aalto with examples of their buildings in the sixties(Sigfried Giedion,2009). A new chapter is added which talks about Danish architect Jorn Utzon's Sydney Opera House design.
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3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction Secondary Method: Literature review including referring and analysing books, journals, magazines and internet surfing. This is an indirect method of collecting data. During this pandemic time, it is the best feasible way.
3.2 Introduction to secondary case study There is various possible things to refer for this study in this pandemic time as
1. Choosing the buildings at the intervals of 20 years after the modernism to contemporary times , considering the work of different typology like sustainable or parametric and some buildings before modernism.
2. Referring the work of various architect like Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, Louis Kahn, Zaha Hadid, B. V. Doshi whose work after modernism.
In that above possible study , this research is referring to to 2nd option , so that it can more compare and conclude between these work also, and this may be more systematic.
3.3 Qualitative analysis Qualitative research method has been used in this dissertation. This study analysed the evolution of walls by using the architectural drawings of different architects.
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Case Studies
Primary Case studies (This is not possible during
COVID19 pandemic)
Secondary case studies
Picking the work of five architect at the intervals of 20 years after the modernism
Taking work of a single architect and
Analysing the change in form
of wall through Architectural Drawings
Establishing conclusions
between the change in the form of wall within this time interval
Fig.14. Research methodology
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4.Case Study 4.1 Overview The research is doing the secondary case study only due to COVID 19 pandemic. The secondary case study is based on the expression of various architect at different time in modernism after formation of International Congresses of Modern Architecture in 1929.
The research is doing the study of architectural work of Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, Louis Kahn, Zaha Hadid, B. V. Doshi. The study is based on analysing the following parameters for walls in a building of these architects.
(i)
Ornamentation
(ii)
Independent from the structure
(iii) Acting as building from
(iv) Exposed
(v)
Larger opening
The study is in chronological order , it is easy to make better analysis and understand the how the architect at different time worked on from of the wall and this will help in understating the significant changes observed in the wall.
4.2. Le Corbusier Le Corbusier, widely regarded as the most important architect of the 20th century, is perhaps the most well-known Modernist.
Villa Savoye, 1931 In this building the wall is very linear and helping in the shaping of the buildings ,giving maximum opportunity in enhancing the buildings forms and helping to improve the spacial quality ,
Fig.15. Villa Savoye , showing the form of buildings, wall and openings Dissertation | 2020
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Fig.16. Villa Savoye , showing the larger glass wall
Fig.17. Ground floor plan of Villa Savoye, showing form of wall and its Independency form structural system.
like we can se in the these is larger openings and at the ground floor plan mostly there are columns , so this is showing the walls are acting as an independent
Mill Owners' Association Building,1954
Ahmedabad This building also shows many significant changes in the walls. In it wall has unique functionality, of acting as shading devices as well. This building is designed in India, therefore more functions are added in the wall to cater the sun. There are frames of vertical and horizontal walls which are uniquely placed at particular angles and which show rational geometric forms. In
Fig.18. Mill Owners' Association Building, Ahmedabad ,showing the form of building and composition of walls in facade .
this building, walls are the main element which enhances the building form, and there are more opportunities present in the wall to create the form and the spatial quality.
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With the light and shadow, the internal space quality has enhanced. Here, the material of the wall is exposed, which gives the idea about how the wall is changing its form, function and aesthetics.
Wall elements in these boundaries are not acting as the support system to the structure but as the independent feature. As the wall is enlarging the internal spaces which allows to recreate and redefine spaces in a feasible way.
Notre Dame du Haut ,1955
Fig.19. Section of Notre Dame du Haut showing form of wall and the unique openings in the wall
In this building, form of the wall is very flexible and walls are acting as main element in the form of the buildings. There is no ornamentation in the walls for decorations , the openings are not in a uniform manner
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Fig.20. Form of the Notre Dame du Haut, showing the unique form of building composed by the wall 30
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Chandigarh court This is the high court building of Chandigarh.
Considering the climate of Chandigarh, Corbusier designed the wall in a unique way with the frame of vertical and horizontal walls to cater the scorching sunlight .
The walls are in rational geometry with unique form and functionality. In this building, it is clearly shown that walls are independent from the structural system. Roof is supported somewhere by wall or somewhere by columns. Thus, here walls are
Fig.21. View of Chandigarh court , showing the unique composition of building by the wall and the openings in the wall.
playing a multifunctional role rather than being only a support system.
Pavillon Le Corbusier , 1967
Fig.22. View of Pavillon Le Corbusier , showing the independency of wall from the structural system Dissertation | 2020
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This is different from the other buildings of the Le Corbusier. In this building, long vertical independent walls and larger glass panes are used. Here walls are giving more options for larger spaces, some are open cantilevered and some are closed spaces by glass walls.
In this, we can see various forms of wall among which some walls are coloured, some are glass walls while others are concrete walls. Thus, walls are acting as an independent element and it has its own distinctive feature, not only the decorative element anymore. It is significance of change in the form and function of the wall
4.3.Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe,is one of the most famous architect responsible for the dictum "less is more” . He was widely regarded as the most influential architects of our time. His work with the other pioneer architects regarded modern architecture . He is the master of minimalism and defines spaces with minimal form. He was more focused on the functionality of the spaces . He used modern materials like glass , steel in his buildings. His style was rejected by the Nazis as un - German , after that he emigrated in 1937 to the United States and was appointed as the head of an architectural school in Chicago(RFE/RL,2012).
German Pavilion, Barcelona
German Pavilion was the most significant temporary structure ever built, that was specially built for the international exposition in 1929 world’s fair(Morgan Falconer). Demolished after the fair, and constructed again
from
1981-86 with the original plans now it was in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The design was based on the reduction of building to minimal requirements for defining spaces.
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Fig.23. German Pavilion, Barcelona, by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe ; showing the minimalism in the form composed by the multi functional walls. SPA DELHI
Constituting transparent wall, supporting a flat roof with handful of columns elevated on platform. There are three different kinds of walls which are creating different spatial characters. Glass wall is just for separation of spaces but it also allows light to enter into it, due to independency from the role of structural support this wall becomes more functional by having unique features to make structure more lighted. Other two walls are cladded in a minimal way with the light colour, and all these three walls are combined in a way to define the spaces in some different ways. Hence, the flexibility in the form and function of the wall allows the spaces to recreate and redefine in a new way .
This is truly explaining the idea of Mies , the composition of walls with different kinds of material and the rationality of the wall forms enhancing the space through the real essence of material ,without any ornamentation. The glass wall played a very significant role in formation of internal spaces connecting with more light , before modernism these kinds of spaces were invisible. The spaces are more functional with the minimal form of the walls so it is replicating the idea of ‘ less is more’ .
Fig.24. Plan of German Pavilion, Barcelona showing the linear form and composition of rational spaces
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Villa Tugendhat,1930 Mies' first truly modern house (all his previous realized dwellings had been traditional masonry structures), the Tugendhat House is a superb example of how he used the possibilities of modern construction to blend a building with its landscape(Morgan Falconer).
Fig.26. Plan of Villa Tugendhat, showing composition of spaces with the different kind of walls and have unique composition of open semi-open spaces. with the different kind of walls and have unique composition of open semi-open spaces.
The Tugendhats, a wealthy German Jewish couple who owned several factories in Czechoslovakia, owned this plot of land in a very fashionable suburban part of Brno, located on a hillside with a spectacular vista towards the central part of town below(Morgan Falconer). Fig.25. View of Villa Tugendhat, showing the glass wall Dissertation | 2020
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The entire structure is supported on reinforced columns ,which are placed in the interior . Floor to floor curtain walls are present at the ground floor , this curtain wall making interior spaces more connected with the landscape . Thi kind of floor to floor curtain walls dissolve the interior spaces into the landscape . These kinds of spaces were never explored before modernism .
Here spaces are becoming more functional in terms of easy ventilation and more connected with nature with all aspects like light , greens , air . It is defining the wall can not be only used for separating two realms but it may be for connecting two realms, here the sense of the boundary is changed. There are more openings and transparent glass walls in the above plan. It is clearly showing how the walls become more independent from the structural system, so much, that walls can be of any material or any shape. Hence, it is evident from the above that the wall can provide more options to be of any form of material and
can shape the
building.
FARNSWORTH HOUSE, PLANO, ILLINOIS (1945-1951) Mies' signature post war residence, the Farnsworth House arguably represents the ultimate in minimalist residential architecture using industrial materials(Morgan Falconer).
The skin-and-bones construction is nakedly apparent in the house's Ibeams and concrete-slab frame, with a simple box enclosed on all four sides by floor-to-ceiling curtain walls of glass.
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Fig.27. Plan of Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois ; showing minimalism and linear composition of spaces
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This strategy nearly completely dissolves the distinction between interior and exterior, thus bringing the inhabitants into constant dialogue with nature - both suspended above it and immersed in it(Morgan Falconer).
In these structural elements, the wall is also characterized by its own unique features of form, function and material. The form of the building is very rational and minimal, there is no ornamentation on the wall, and the characteristic of the wall has changed from the earlier style. This helps to construct the interior space in a minimal and functional way. In the above plan, it is clearly visible in the simple rectangular plan with a minimal wall .
Fig.28. View of Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois
4.4.Louis Kahn He was an American architect who moved away from the idea of Mies van der Rohe, he worked on a wide variety of ideas , he used neoclassicism . His work influenced many architects like Philip Jonson Edward Durell stone. He never tried to make his building look light , he used mostly brick and concrete and made his bulges look solid(Wikipedia) .
Salk Institute for Biological Studies 1965 In this building walls are linear and not ornamented . Here wall acting as main element for defining building forms . In this we can see some of the wall is totally removed and replaced by the Large window .
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Here the building faced is very unique fro the light and shadow , this is not ornamented facade but it is more functional as well as aesthetic . This facade is is the unique combinations of walls.
Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban, Dhaka, Bangladesh 1983 This is one of the most famous works of Louis Kahn. In this building walls are playing a very interesting role to create different kinds of openings and the form of the wall is also changed from the earlier modernist buildings. In this, there are less larger openings like we observed in the work of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, and it is minimal also, but there are more changes observed in the form and function of the wall and due to change in the form of wall the special quality has also changed.
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Fig.30. View of Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban, Dhaka ; showing the composition of building form with curve , linear form and the openings in the wall.
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In this building, we can easily observe that how the form of walls changed from its linear form to curve and this evolved the building from initial modernist buildings, like the other buildings, the wall need is not ornamented.
4.5. Zaha Hadid Zaha Hadid is one of the most famous architect of the 21st century . Her projects had unique notations which explained the power of invention . She redefined the architecture with the use of glass, concrete and steel . She showed her power to invent something with advanced design technique and materials.
Her style is deconstructionism, that encourages radical freedom of form and the open manifestation of complexity in a building rather than strict attention to functional concerns and conventional design elements(Vikas,2014).
Heydar Aliyev Centre
Fig.31. View of Heydar Aliyev Centre ; showing the unique parametric shape of wall, where all the boundary elements are acting as one element Dissertation | 2020
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In this building, the form of wall has been totally changed from early modernist buildings. There are two kinds of wall, one is glass curtain wall and other is curved wall which is acting as a wall as well as a roof. This is the building where postmodernism starts, in this the wall becomes more flexible and helps in constructing an organic form.
In this design, walls, structural system and roof are a single entity, they are in a flow. Here, all the boundary elements are merged into each other and create a unique form. The walls have a lot of flexibility to fold in curvilinear form, there is another curtain wall which has features like we have seen in earlier buildings.
4.6. B.V. Doshi He is one of the famous indian architect , his architecture always explored the relation between human life and their fundamental needs. He explored modernism in a localised manner. He always tried to replicate his architectural style through local material which connects to the society .
Life Insurance Corporation Housing, India 1973
This was designed when modernism was spreading throughout the world. In this, the wall has acted as the main element of building and it clearly proved how the wall became subordinate to the building form . The linear composition of walls are creating minimal and functional forms. Due to the more flexibility in the form
Fig.32. View of Life Insurance Corporation Housing, by B.V. Doshi ; showing the linear composition of building by the wall
and shape of the wall spaces are also redefining.
SANGATH, BV DOSHI’S OFFICE, AHMEDABAD 1980 In this building, it is clearly showing how the form of the building is the combination of circular wall and linear wall. In it, we can see how walls removed the role of the roof. The only prominent building element in this is the wall, so this building form is totally constructed by the walls. Dissertation | 2020
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Fig.33. View of SANGATH, B.V. Doshi’s office ; showing unique curvilinear shape of wall, where all the boundary elements are acting as one element .
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5. Analysis and findings The research is doing qualitative analysis of the architectural work of 5 prominent architect at different interval of time after the formation of International Congresses of Modern Architecture in 1928. On the basis of case study the research is doing qualitative analysis on the following :
(I)
Visual characteristic of the wall in terms of form
(II) The significant change in the spatial characteristic .
5.1 Visual characteristic of the wall This is observed that the wall before modernism acted differently in building. Wall is a boundary element from the stone age and this has always played a significant role in forming habitable space. It provides space , securities, protection from the sun and weather hence, the wall has always played an important role in creating spaces. The spatial quality is enhancing through the age of architecture and new materials and techniques are always shaping up the wall .
There were significant changes observed in the form of walls when modernism came with new material and technique. New materials and techniques were the constraints and opportunities as well which changed the architectural philosophy . As the boundary element, the walls were also not acting as the main element to construct the building form . It was just a supporting element for the roof . The visual characteristics of walls are only limited to its ornamentation , because walls are the part of the structural system and it was a major element in building from so it was needed to make it more aesthetic. Due to acting as a structural element, walls were never an independent boundary element and for the larger openings in the walls , the buildings need arches in walls, that also changed the visual charter of the wall. After modernism, walls became independent from the structural system and it was not only needed to be only the supporting element for the roof. After it became free, then lots of possibilities came to shape up the walls .
Openings in the walls are totally changed , arches removed and any different shapes of openings are created in the walls. The buildings are not bound to make arches in walls to create openings , this can be easily observed from Le Corbusier’s work, he used a linear glass window in Villa Sovey , the windows are larger in size covering all the facades. After this building, he designed various kinds of openings in his work.
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In the Mill Owners' Association Building , he created a small opening in the grid throughout the facade and it gives different functionality to the wall . The wall became more functional in terms of light , shadow and giving unique form to building according to the climate and context. Openings further evolved in the other building of Le Corbusier , in Notre Dame du Haut , he designed the opening in a very unique way to improve visual quality from inside the buildings . The openings were getting enlarged on the interior side of the wall. The openings have great features in all the buildings of Le Corbusier but in other works like in Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe , he removed those openings and used glass walls for the light , this is clearly shown in his all works. These kinds of walls enhance the spatial quality of the building and these kinds of glass walls give more opportunities to retreat the spaces more flexibly. As modernism spread more, the shape of openings changed from Le Corbusier’s buildings to Louis Kahn as he designed very unique geometrical shapes in Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban .
There is lots of evolution observed in terms of opening in walls , material of walls as the walls get exposed in most of the buildings and ornamentation is totally removed from the walls, because of all these changes , walls get free to shape up in any kind of form . The wall became more independent in terms of material openings so the visual characteristic of the walls had observed significant change after modernism. In all the buildings walls get unique shapes so it also helped in shaping the building form.
5.2. Significant change in the spatial characteristic.
The architectural spaces are created by permutation and combination of walls . Walls are the important design element in the space which evolved after modernism. From time to time memorial walls have played a significant role in giving a space the best functionality and sensibility. The wall is neither completely subordinate to the surrounding spaces nor completely independent from it, the wall as an element and the surrounding space are mutually related but independent from each other as well. Wall is influenced by the surrounding spaces, but functions as an important factor to constitute characteristics of the space at the same time(Do-sik Kim,2015,b). Therefore, the specific wall and the space around it should be considered in their interrelationship(Do-sik Kim,2015,b).
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Due to significant changes observed in the form of walls , the spaces become more functional and rational , there is huge light and ventilation opportunities started in the spaces.
In Notre Dame du Haut , there are many small and larger openings in the walls , the openings are not acting as windows, they just connect with the interior and exterior spaces . All kinds of significant changes in terms of openings, materials, helped in enhancing the form of wall so the spatial characteristic changed due to the change in the form of walls. The space is associated with its function , every space has a unique function and it is always defined by its function. Due to change in the form of the wall , the function of the wall also changed so that the spatial characteristic changed.
6.Conclusion This research paper studied how the form and function of the wall plays a significant role in building form and how the wall became a main element for special construction which mostly evolved after modernism and there was a movement to spread and execute the idea of modernism throughout the world , the movement called CIAM. This paper studied the work of five prominent architects Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, Louis Kahn, Zaha Hadid, B. V. Doshi , whose work is after CIAM .
The form of the wall has been evolved from the early work of architect to the contemporary time , as before the modernism walls were just the element for separation of the spaces not for the construction of the building forms , this paper observed how the wall becomes independent from the structural system and become a independent element to construct and redefine the spaces. Before modernism the wall was acting as a supporting element of the roof and the roof were the main element where the building forms dependent but after modernism due to new construction technique and material we find a separate element for structure and support and walls become a prominent element to redesign the space and building form . Before modernism the walls were ornamented to hide the wall because that time the walls were acting as supporting elements of the roof so the wall needed to hide to create aesthetics , that time the wall had not its own aesthetics. But after modernism, walls need not be ornament, rather it has evolved in its form, shape and it became a more focused element in buildings to show.
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7.Bibliography 1. Michael Graves (1982), Sense of boundary in Architecture,World Microfilms (June 1 1982)
2. Mark, J. J. (2009), Wall, Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved from https:// www.ancient.eu/wall/
3. Peter Davey & Kurt Walter Forster and Peter. Davey (2007), Exploring Boundaries, Birkhauser (5 October 2007)
4. Sigfried Giedion, Space, Time and Architecture – The Growth of a New Tradition, Cambridge Mass. 2009, 5th edition. (CIAM, summary in Part VI).
5. Le Corbusier. Toward an Architecture, Martino Fine Books (2014)
8. Reference 1. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering/May 2005/16
2. Carter, P. (1999), Mies van der Rohe at Work, Phaidon, London.
3. Do-sik, K. (2000) A Study on the Formal and Spatial Characteristics of Mies’ Tugendhat House, Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea, Planing & Design, 16 (6), pp. 75-82
4. Forty, A. (2000) Words and Buildings: A Vocabulary of Modern Architecture, Thames & Hudson, London.
5. Lambert, P. (2001) Mies in America, Canadian Center for Architecture, Montreal.
6. Mertins, D. ed. (1994), The Presence of Mies, Princeton Architectural Press, New York.
7. Neumeyer, F. (1991) The Artless Word: Mies van der Rohe on the Building Art, trans. by Mark Jarzombek, The MIT Press, Cambridge.
8. Padovan, R. (2002) Towards Universality: Le Corbusier, Mies and De Stijl, Routledge, London.
9. Quetglas, J. (2001) Fear of Glass: Mies van der Rohe’s Pavilion in Barcelona, Birkhäuser, Boston.
10. Riley, T. and Bergdoll, B. ed. (2001) Mies in Berlin, The Museum of Modern Art, New York
11. Schulze, F. (1985) Mies van der Rohe: A Critical Biography, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
12. Schulze, F. ed. (1992) The Mies van der Rohe Archive Vol. 7 Resor House, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
13. Tegethoff, W. (1985) Mies van der Rohe: The Villas and Country Houses, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
14. "The CIAM Discourse on Urbanism, 1928–1960", by Eric Paul Mumford. MIT Press, 2002. Note 85 on page 284.
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15. "Práctica 01: Josep Lluís Sert, 1946–48, Plan regulador Chimbote, Perú; proyectos de casas patio y 'arquitectura mediterránea'" Archived 2014-03-06 at the Wayback Machine, School of Architecture, University of Sevilla. (in Spanish)
16. Congreso Internacional de Arquitectura Moderna (in Spanish)
17. https://www.flickr.com/photos/ships_agent/7555135506, Dimas Almada S.S. PATRIS II - National Greek Line
9. Plagiarism report 08/12/2020
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