Selected Bibliography Architecture - Form Space and Order | Page 209

SPATIAL O RGANIZATIO NS

Compositions of Nine Squares:
A Bauhaus Study

The following section lays out the basic ways we can arrange and organize the
spaces of a building. In a typical building program, there are usually requirements
for various kinds of spaces. There may be requirements for spaces that:
• have specific functions or require specific forms
• are flexible in use and can be freely manipulated
• are singular and unique in their function or significance to the
building organization
• have similar functions and can be grouped into a functional cluster
or repeated in a linear sequence
• require exterior exposure for light, ventilation, outlook, or access
to outdoor spaces
• must be segregated for privacy
• must be easily accessible

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

The manner in which these spaces are arranged can clarify their relative
importance and functional or symbolic role in the organization of a building.
The decision as to what type of organization to use in a specific situation
will depend on:
• demands of the building program, such as functional proximities,
dimensional requirements, hierarchical classification of spaces, and
requirements for access, light, or view
• exterior conditions of the site that might limit the organization’s form
or growth, or that might encourage the organization to address certain
features of its site and turn away from others