The reality of a room is to be found in the space enclosed by roof and walls,
not in the roof and the walls themselves.
Lao Tzu

Introduction

As we look at the world around us we see environments made up of objects and spaces. Some people think of environmental design as a discipline concerned only with the objects that surround us. Others would argue that the spaces between and/or inside the objects is what the discipline of environmental design is all about.

Much can be learned about the design of environments by studying existing buildings, gardens and rooms. The first exercise in the sequence of many this semester will provide a variety of opportunities to examine an existing space and to explore concepts and ideas underlying the design of that space.

As part of the creative process, environmental designers communicate with many audiences, most importantly themselves, but also with clients, consultants and other construction professionals. Formal and spatial aspects of the environment are of primary concern and they must be described coherently and consistently. To that end, developing a consistent and commonly shared vocabulary helps to order one's own design considerations and to relate those to others: the categories of components, properties and relationships are used to describe formal and spatial aspects of existing and newly designed environments.

Components are single elements or items, such as point, line, plane and volume (mass or void). Individually, these components, or elements, have visual properties, or characteristics, such as size, shape, position, direction, color and texture. Combinations of components become compositions that can be described as exhibiting certain relationships. Formal and spatial relationships (also called principles of design) include unity, harmony, contrast, balance, rhythm, repetition, proportion, scale, hierarchy, accent, and dominance.

The purpose of Exercise 1 is to engage the student in using a basic design vocabulary, in developing basic drawing and model building skills, and in exploring foundational environmental design principles.

Schedule

Issued: 25 August
Due: 27 September
(Five weeks)

Intermediate due dates for parts a, b, c, d, and e will be announced by your instructor.