Space is one of the elements of design of architecture, as space is continuously studied for its usage. Architectural designs are created by carving space out of space, creating space out of space, and designing spaces by dividing this space using various tools, such as geometry, colours, and shapes. Architectural space is a portion of the surrounding world artificially isolated through architectural means. Space is the primary object of an architect's artistic work. With the development of architecture, the concept of architectural space has undergone significant changes. If in medieval architecture the basis of spatial work was the observance of a certain order in the arrangement of buildings and their proportions, in the Renaissance era the idea of "visibility" emerged; an important aspect of spatial organization became the arrangement of structures so as to offer the best possible view. In the Modern Era, architects began to give great importance to the organization of large architectural spaces under integrated urban planning and axial composition. In the 20th century, the conception of architectural space as the human habitat became widespread. The task of organizing space came to be understood as the "provision of certain opportunities for human life." The prominent contemporary architect Bernard Tschumi states that the essence of space lies in its descriptive dimension, being a central theme for philosophical, mathematical, and physical discussions. For him, space is the essence of both architecture and urbanism. A clear and technical definition of space is presented by Jörg Kurt Grütter, who describes it as a vacuum (void) that can contain an object or be filled by something. According to the author, although space does not possess an exact and specific definition as an entity, it can be fully measurable through perception.
Human Dimension Every pictorial form begins with the point that sets itself in motion [...] The point moves [...] and the line is born – the first dimension. When the line shifts to form a plane, we obtain a two-dimensional element. In the movement from plane to spaces, the meeting of planes gives rise to the body (three-dimensional). A synthesis of kinetic energies that move the point converting it into a line, the line that converts into a plane and the plane that converts into a spatial dimension. Architectural space can be divided into hierarchical levels: compartment, building, architectural ensemble, settlement. Subsequent generalizations extrapolate the limits of human "sensory perception" and are not considered architectural spaces. Furthermore, space can be divided into internal (contained within the volume of the building) and external. Space in architecture is the fundamental element that protects the human being from natural factors and encompasses the totality of their individual and social activities. In physical space, the human being satisfies their material and spiritual needs; the core essence of architecture is space, being the medium where man moves and lives. There are several types of spaces in architecture, which can be classified in various ways, depending on function or perception. Space, in its absolute concept, does not present intrinsic characteristics by itself; however, as soon as a human group establishes an activity in a certain location, the symbolic meaning of space emerges. From that moment on, space becomes a stage for the expression of human activities and behaviors, transforming into a place of intersection between imagination and reality.
Spatial Interpretation In historiography, it is possible to perceive different "ways of seeing" architecture presented by Bruno Zevi. According to him, such interpretations are grouped into content-based, formalist, physio-psychological, and finally, spatial—the most complete, as it would involve a "living experience," suggesting a real three-dimensional movement influenced by distances, volumes, lights, and colors. Interpreting only one aspect of space would be to limit it, because, as Zevi points out:
...social content, psychological effect and formal values all materialize in space. To interpret space means therefore to include all the realities of a building (...) Who reasons about man (...) without passing from the useful theoretical distinction to the living and organic unity (...) would not have an integrated and comprehensive view of architecture. The discussion of what constitutes architectural form and space dates back to classical antiquity with Vitruvius, but the fundamental outlines were defined in the 15th century by Leon Battista Alberti. Alberti sought to gather all knowledge into a normative theory, establishing the three basic conditions for architecture: firmness, commodity, and delight (solidity, utility, and beauty).
Volume and architectural space
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