Selected Bibliography Architecture - Form Space and Order | Page 179

O PE NINGS WITH IN PLANES

An opening located wholly within a wall or ceiling plane
often appears as a bright figure on a contrasting
field or background. If centered within the plane, the
opening will appear stable and visually organize the
surface around it. Moving the opening off-center will
create a degree of visual tension between the opening
and the edges of the plane toward which it is moved.

The shape of the opening, if similar to the shape of the
plane in which it is located, will create a redundant
compositional pattern. The shape or orientation of
the opening may contrast with the enclosing plane to
emphasize its individuality as a figure. The singularity
of the opening may be visually reinforced with a heavy
frame or articulated trimwork.

Multiple openings may be clustered to form a unified
composition within a plane, or be staggered or dispersed to create visual movement along the surface
of the plane.

As an opening within a plane increases in size, it will
at some point cease to be a figure within an enclosing
field and become instead a positive element in itself, a
transparent plane bounded by a heavy frame.

Openings within planes naturally appear brighter than
their adjacent surfaces. If the contrast in brightness
along the edges of the openings becomes excessive,
the surfaces can be illuminated by a second light
source from within the space, or a deep-set opening
can be formed to create illuminated surfaces between
the opening and the surrounding plane.

164 / A R C H I TE C TU R E : F O R M , S PA C E , & O R D E R