Traditional buildings are subdivided until human scale elements, such as doors, windows, and decorative details, are achieved. Often the larger the building, the more levels of subdivision are required. Smaller and informal buildings, may not require subdivision at all.
There are three mechanisms by which to subdivide buildings:
Sub-masses. Large buildings are often broken into clear and distinct sub-masses. Sub-masses extend beyond, or are inset, in relation to their neighbours. They may also have a different number of stories than their neighbours or their own distinct roofline; however, this is not always necessary. Separate sub-masses are easy to see from a distance and represent the first and most visually obvious level of subdivision.
There are two classifications of sub-masses: dominant and recessive. Dominant sub-masses project out in relation to their neighbouring sub-masses and will often will have a higher roofline. Recessive sub-masses will be inset and may have a lower roofline. Dominant sub-masses catch the eye, whereas recessive sub-masses recede into the background.
Symmetrical buildings are normally split up into an odd number of sub-masses. This ensures a sub-mass is in the center of a building where the eye naturally tends to rest. Normally the center sub-mass is dominant and contains the primary focal axis (for more information see Guideline 3 Focal Points and Framing Mechanisms). The outermost sub-masses may also be dominant and contain secondary focal axes. This creates a bookend effect, further enhancing the visual stability of the building.
The west façade of the Capitol building shown below has seven sub-masses: the center sub-mass containing the dome, two flanking sub-masses containing minor saucer domes, two connecting sub-masses, and the two outermost bookending sub-masses. The center and bookending sub-masses are dominant, and the flanking and connecting sub-masses are recessive.
The Supreme Court building can be seen just left of the Capitol dome. Its west façade has three sub-masses; a central dominant sub-mass and two flanking recessive sub-masses. The Library of Congress building can be seen just right of the Capitol dome. Its west façade has five sub-masses. Notice how the Library of Congress building also employs dominant bookending sub-masses.
Schloss Moritzburg’s west façade employs five sub-masses, a primary focal axis on the center sub-mass, and the bookend effect. However, in this case the sub-masses have varying numbers of stories and their own distinct rooflines.
As illustrated by Peles Castle below, sub-masses can also be employed asymmetrically.
Façades of sub-masses and smaller buildings may be subdivided further using the next level of subdivision: mouldings and columns.
Mouldings. Mouldings are used to horizontally subdivide a façade of a building or sub-mass. Buildings shorter than seven stories usually have no more than two stories without a horizontal break in between them. However, high-rises will often have several stories in the middle without a horizontal break. Mouldings should continue around the building at the same level, spanning multiple sub-masses. This connects the sub-masses and provides visual continuity.
This canalscape in Venice shows both one and two stories between mouldings.
A mansion on Avenue Van Dyck in Paris demonstrates mouldings continuing around various sub-masses.
Columns. Engaged columns or pilasters are used to vertically subdivide a façade of a building or sub-mass. Spaces between these columns are called bays. Ideally there should be an odd number of bays (see Guideline 4e). The more bays there are, the more imposing and formal the building will feel.
Grand Place in Brussels has a number of adjoining townhouses with three bays each. Together they create a casual, jumbled, inviting feel.
Buckingham Palace has seven bays in its connecting sub-masses, creating a formal, imposing effect.
Next: Balance and Symmetry
Be First to Comment