Organization of space

Abstract

Space is the container of all material objects. A material object not situated in space is inconceivable. Space is, in a sense, a reality superior to matter. Throughout history man has had different understandings of the substance of space. These understandings have shaped his architecture. The central theme of twentieth century building has been the concept of architecture as the organization of space. The architect Mies van der Rohe has focussed his work upon this theme. He has stated that architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space. When "inside" and "outside" are brought together, or when a series of enclosures are related to each other, one speaks of "fluid" space. A concept of fluid space is uniquely proper to our epoch in which man is no longer separated from the intangible forces of nature, but believes'himself to be an integral part of the orderly structure of the universe. This thesis is an investigation, inspired by the work of Mies van der Rohe, of a concept of fluid space in architecture organized by means of free-standing planes. The free-standing plane (with structure present but subdued by its regularity) permits the expression of intangible space within rational order.