Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
Massing is a fundamental concept in architectural design, as it determines the basic composition and form of a building. Understanding the basics of massing is essential for architects and designers to create successful and visually appealing structures. In this article, we will discuss the basics of massing and its different types.
Massing refers to the shaping or modeling of a building's form, volume, and size. It involves the arrangement of different building elements, such as walls, windows, doors, roof, and other components to create a unified form. Massing is an important first step in the design process as it establishes the overall form of the building and its relationship to its surroundings.
There are four main types of massing:
Solid massing refers to a building's overall form when it appears solid and monolithic. This type of massing creates a powerful and dominant presence, making it useful for buildings that need to convey strength and stability, such as government buildings or museums.
Void massing refers to a building's overall form when it appears as a series of voids or gaps. This type of massing creates a more delicate and intricate appearance, making it useful for buildings that need to convey lightness and playfulness, such as shopping centers or amusement parks.
Layered massing refers to a building's overall form when it appears as a series of overlapped or nested layers. This type of massing creates a complex and dynamic appearance, making it useful for buildings that need to convey innovation and creativity, such as research centers or technology hubs.
Framed massing refers to a building's overall form when it appears as a series of frames or grids. This type of massing creates a modular and repetitive appearance, making it useful for buildings that need to convey order and regularity, such as office buildings or hotels.
Massing plays a crucial role in architectural design, as it establishes the basic form and composition of a building. By understanding the different types of massing, architects and designers can create successful and visually appealing structures that meet their clients' needs and expectations.
