ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN THEORY
II
LECTURE 7
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Different types of horizontal circulation systems
are:
Corridors
Verandahs
Vestibules
Passages
Lobbies
Entrance halls
Lounges
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Circulation spaces as connectors
All spaces in a spatial organization need to be
connected
No functional space exists in isolation
Spaces will be either directly or indirectly
connected
Through a door
Through a corridor, lobby, passage etc.
Such spaces have their own unique character
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Character of horizontal circulation spaces
These, as corridors, are linear spaces usually
meant exclusively for movement.
These, as lobbies and foyers, also allow the
possibility of group standing besides movement.
All these spaces need to be directional,
environmentally sound and provide interesting
visual experiences in movement.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Physical and Metaphysical facets of circulation spaces
These need to be of appropriate dimensions depending on the volume of
traffic and movement of objects.
There needs to be ample light and ventilation in such spaces.
There needs to be introduced some sense of visual excitement in such spaces
by
Change of volume
Change of Color
Change of Texture
Addition of paintings etc.
Change of light
Change of finishes
Walking in such spaces should not be boring.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Hierarchy of circulation spaces
This will entail an organization of spatial order that
accommodates the changing situations of movement:
Transition of vehicular to pedestrian porch
Transition from outside to inside entrance verandah
Transition to the inside entrance space
Movement to different spatial units corridors, passages etc.
Transition from the outside uncovered to the covered
but not enclosed to the covered and partially enclosed
to the totally covered and totally enclosed.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Note the uncovered unenclosed
circulation space.
Note the feeling of invitation in this
space
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
22nd april 2014
The linear nature of the corridor
gives direction.
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
A porch and an entrance space
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
A circulation cum
exhibition space.
An entrance space
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
10
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
A porch and entrance space
A dull corridor
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
11
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Circulation spaces within commercial buildings.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
12
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
13
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
A modern and a
traditional circulation
space.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
14
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
A traditional entrance and movement
cum seating space a verandah.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
15
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Entrance and circulation spaces in a resort.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
16
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Circulation spaces with
different expressions in
different situations inside a
hotel, around a courtyard and
an entrance to a building in a
resort.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
17
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Note the quality of spaces that have
been designed for circulation
exclusively.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
18
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
The porches and the entrance lobby
Belong to different buildings, but
note their commonalities and
differences.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
19
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
All these spaces are meant for circulation
but each one has a different quality
of visual expression.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
20
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
The quality of the two corridors is
so different.
Try to analyze the reasons.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
21
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
These are both entrance spaces
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
22
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Corridor spaces while being linear
Can be given different characters
with the objects of enclosure.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
23
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Observe the corridor and its
spatial quality
Note the entrance
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
24
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Note how direction can be changed in the line of movement.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
25
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Conclusions
Designated movement spaces are essential for the efficient working of a
spatial organization.
These movement spaces connect the outside to the inside and also the
internal spaces either directly or indirectly.
There is a hierarchy to this spatial system.
These spaces must be directional.
These spaces should be of the appropriate size with respect to the function
and also the expression that needs to be generated through these.
These need to be environmentally sound i.e. from the viewpoint of light,
sound and air.
These spaces need to be made interesting visual and spatial experiences by
introducing variety in the quality of the enclosing objects or environmentally.
22nd april 2014
Sat Priya school of Architecture &
Design, Rohtak
26
