Selected Bibliography Architecture - Form Space and Order | Page 97

E D G E S & CO RNERS

Since the articulation of a form depends to a great
degree on how its surfaces meet each other at
corners, how these edge conditions are resolved is
critical to the definition and clarity of a form.

While a corner can be articulated by simply
contrasting the surface qualities of the adjoining
planes, or obscured by layering their joining with an
optical pattern, our perception of its existence is also
affected by the laws of perspective and the quality of
light that illuminates the form.

For a corner to be formally active, there must be
more than a slight deviation in the angle between
the adjoining planes. Since we constantly search for
regularity and continuity within our field of vision, we
tend to regularize or smooth out slight irregularities
in the forms we see. For example, a wall plane that is
bent only slightly will appear to be a single flat plane,
perhaps with a surface imperfection. A corner would
not be perceived.

At what point do these formal deviations become an
acute angle? . . . a right angle?
a segmented line? . . . a straight line?

a circular segment? . . . a change in a line’s contour?

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