Formal Planning

Public buildings can have a certain amount of formal composition to them. Namely, there can be an underlying proportion system and methods of achieving heroic spaces for a multitude of events and applications.







I am particularly taken with this digital rendering of the former interior of the Parthenon in Athens. Columns and beams of particularly style and proportions are brought together with beams and roofing elements to compose a large space. The space housed a large gold leaf sculpture of Athena and was decorated according to the time of year and festival celebrations.




The method of using standardised elements to develop a powerful form is very interesting to me. Formal geometry in conjunction with materials being used according to mechanical properties will be a good way to start. Repetitive elements could also be beneficial as the building may need to expand and contract depending on the event.

This plan, section and elevation of the Pantheon in Rome also indicates a marriage of primary geometrical shapes. Circular plans can be considered a form of openness or unity. Considering that the building in East Timor could be used as a meeting place for the government or an exhibition space for the regions, this form may be useful. The question will be how to derive a number of shapes that are useful for all applications including concerts and maybe even markets.