CHAPTER 4
CIRCULATION
The path of our movement can be conceived as the
perceptual thread that links the spaces of a
building, or any series of interior or exterior spaces,
together.
Mainly, there are (5) circulation elements that affect our
perception of the forms and spaces of a building:
Approach Entrance
Configuration of the path Path-space relationships
Form of the circulation
space
APPROACH - The distant view
•We approach a building’s entrance along a path. This
is the first phase of the circulation system.
•The approach to a building and its entrance may vary
in duration (time) from a few paces to a lengthy path.
There are (3) different types of approach: frontal/
oblique / spiral
• A frontal approach leads directly to the entrance
along a straight, axial path
• The visual goal that terminates the approach is
clear; it may be the entire front façade or an
elaborated entrance
An oblique approach enhances the effect of
perspective on the front façade and form of a
building
There are (3) different types
The path can be of approach: frontal /
redirected to delay oblique / spiral
or prolong the
sequence of the
approach
GLASS HOUSE(1949) NEWCANAAN, CT, USA
By Philip Johnson
There are (3)
different types of
approach: frontal /
oblique / spiral
FALLINGWATER (1936-37)
PENNSYLVANIA, USA
ByFrank Lloyd Wright
A spiral path prolongs the sequence
of the approach and emphasizes the
(3d) form of a building as we move
around its perimeter
ENTRANCE
From outside to inside
•The act of penetrating a vertical plane that
separates “here” from “there”
•A change in level can establish a threshold & mark
the passage from one place to another Entrance
Entrances may be grouped formally into
the following categories: Flush/ Projected /
Recessed
A Flush entrance maintains
the continuity of the
surface of a wall and can
be, if desired, deliberately
obscured.
ROME(1592)
The notion of an entrance By
can be visually reinforced by FedericoZuccari
articulating the opening with
ornamentation
embellishment
Entrances may be grouped formally into
The following categories: Flush/ Projected /
Recessed
A Projected entrance forms a transitional space,
announces its function to the approach, and
provides overhead shelter.
Porches, porticos, and marquees project from the main
mass of a building to announce the point of entry.
Entrances may be grouped formally into
The following categories: Flush/ Projected /
Recessed
A recessed entrance
also provides shelter
and receives a portion of
exterior space into
the realm of the
building. The notion
of an entrance can be
visually reinforced by
making the entrance deep. EAST BUILDING, NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Washington, D.C.(1978)
ByI.M. Pei
Steps and ramps introduce a vertical dimension and
add a sequential quality to the act of entering a
building.
Steps and ramps can prolong CARPENTER CENTER FOR THE VISUAL
ARTS, Harvard University, Cambridge,
the entry approach to the Massachusetts (1964) ByLe Corbusier
building.
PATH CONFIGURATION
The sequence of spaces: entry-path-arrival
•All paths of movement are linear in nature
•The intersection of paths is always a point of
decision-making for the person approaching it
• The nature of the configuration of a path both
influences and is influenced by the organizational
pattern of the spaces its links
There are (6) basic organizational patterns for the
configuration of the path: Linear/ Radial / Spiral /
Grid / Network / Composite
Linear paths as HOUSE IN OLD
organizing elements WESTBURY
NEW YORK, USA (1969)
It can be curvilinear or ByRichard Meier
segmented, intersect
other paths, have
branches, or form a
loop
There are (6) basic organizational patterns for the
configuration of the path: Linear/ Radial / Spiral /
Grid / Network / Composite
ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA-BERKLEY
Radial configurations CALIFORNIA, USA (1971)
A radial configuration has ByMario Ciampi
linear paths extending from
or terminating at a central,
common point
There are (6) basic organizational patterns for the
configuration of the path: Linear/ Radial / Spiral /
Grid / Network / Composite
Spiral configurations
A spiral configuration is a MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART
single, continuous path that TOKYO, JAPAN (1957-59)
originates from a central ByLe Corbusier
point, revolves around it, &
becomes increasingly distant
from it
There are (6) basic organizational
patterns for the configuration of
the path: Linear/ Radial / Spiral /
Grid / Network / Composite
Grid configuration
Consists of two sets
of parallel paths that
intersect at regular
intervals & create
square or rectangular
fields of space
PLAN FOR MANHATTAN, NY
• There are (6) basic organizational patterns for the
configuration of the path: Linear/ Radial / Spiral /
Grid / Network / Composite.
PLAN FOR WASHINGTON, D.C. (1792)
By Pierre L’Enfant
NETWORK CONFIGURATION For eg: dupont circle to washington circle
• Consists of paths that connect established point in
space
There are (6) basic organizational patterns for the
configuration of the path: Linear/ Radial / Spiral /
Grid / Network / Composite
Composite configuration
A building normally employs
a combination of the
preceding patterns
To avoid the creation of a
disorienting maze, a
hierarchical order among the
paths should be established PLAN FOR WASHINGTON, D.C.
(1792)
For example: plan for By Pierre L’Enfant
washington, uses grid,
network, & linear
PATH-SPACE RELATIONSHIPS
Paths may be related to the spaces they link
in the following ways:
[Link] by spaces
[Link] through spaces
[Link] in a space
PASS BY SPACES
A) The integrity of each space is maintained.
B) The configuration of the path is flexible.
C) Mediating spaces can be used to link the path with
the spaces.
THE WALL HOUSE (2001)
GRONINGEN, HOLLAND
BY John Hedjuk
PASS THROUGH SPACES
• a) The path may pass through a space axially,
obliquely, or along its edge
• b) In cutting through a space, the path creates
patterns of rest and movement within it.
TRADITIONAL JAPANESE HOUSE
TERMINATE IN A SPACE
a) The location of the space establishes the path
b) This path-space relationship is used to approach
and enter functionally or symbolically important
spaces.
FORM OF THE CIRCULATION SPACE
• Corridors, halls, galleries, stairways and rooms
• The form & scale of a circulation space should
accommodate the movement of people as they
promenade, pause, rest, or take in a view along a
path.
The Form Of A Circulation Space Varies According
to:
a) How its boundaries are defined.
b) How its form relates to the linked spaces.
c) How its qualities of scale, proportion, light & view
are articulated.
d) How entrances open onto it.
e) How it handles changes in level with stairs &
ramps.
A circulation space may be:
a) Enclosed
b) Open on one side
c) Open on both sides
Circulation space may be:
a) Enclosed forming a public gallery or private
corridor that relates to the spaces it links through
entrances in a wall plane.
OKUSU RESIDENCE
TOKYO, JAPAN
(1976-78)
By TadaoAndo
b) Open on one side forming a balcony or gallery that
provides visual and spatial continuity with the
spaces it links
STA. MARIA DELLA PACE
ROME, ITALY (1500-04)
By DonatoBramante
c) Open on both sides forming a colonnaded
passageway that becomes a physical extension of the
space it passes through. spatial visual continuity
Reid Holt Memorial
Chapel Cloisters
Lake Forest College
CHICAGO, USA (1900)
By Frost and Granger
The width and height of a circulation space should
be proportionate with the type and amount of
movement it must handle.
Individual Private Public
or
Group
Within a large space, a path can be random, without
form or definition, and be determined by the
activities and arrangement of furnishings within
the space.
The space a stairway occupies can be great, but its form
can be fitted into an interior in several ways:
• Can be an additive form
• Can be carved out
• Can run along one of
the edges of a room
• Can be extended into
a series of platforms for
seating or terraces for
activity
•A stairway can skirt an
edge or wind around the
boundaries of a space.
•A stairway can be expressed
as a sculptural form either
attached to an edge or
Freestanding within a space