007 The Plan - The Section

Plan, as the horizontal expression of a vertical intention, the plan is an abstraction. The plan is about the horizontal movement. It is a function of mobility of man, who is restricted to horizontal or near horizontal planes. 

The plan is dimensionally a function of human mobility. 

The plan operates in a neutral environment. The only substantial and important constraints are pre-existent, external and non-negotiable i.e. movement of the sun on a pragmatic level, the contours, shape and size of the site. The plan is divided up into three different kinds of 'room' that can be identified as Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Space. 

Primary space = space that is a programmed architectural response 

Secondary space = created at the same time to serve the primary space, i.e. circulation

Tertiary space = is seen as building material and services i.e. the fabric of the building

These three diagrams illustrates on how P/S/T contributes together within a plan. Two words have been set up to illustrate the potential of these three different kinds of 'room', repeat (Generic) and Unique. The first diagram on the left, clearly illustrates a sign of repetition through out the plan. On each corner of the the primary space is the secondary spaces that then branch out into tertiary spaces. This can be labeled as Generic, where the patterns have been repeated within the plan itself. This is seen in a typical plan of the Lloyds Building, London. The second illustration presents a balance between Generic and Unique. Again placing the Primary space in the center, with Secondary spaces adjacent to one another. This is a typical plan of Claypotts Castle, Scotland. Thirdly, this illustrates Uniqueness. Its a straight-forward heirachy presentation on how each independent room collaborates with one another, where P/S/T are place together functionally as one. 

Section, it presents 'external' physical and constructional issues such as light gravity which cannot be placed aside. The section is more 'real'. 
The section is a function of the unvarying measure of man and gravity. 
The gravity effect on the vertical dimension is unique to the section. The constraints seen by casting the  section are materials and services, raising of people, resisting structural instability which are the fore front issues in multi-level arrangements. 
The primary division of sectional circumstances is of single or multiple stacking of planes. The latter involving a complex tri-part arrangement of top, middle and bottom. The top and the bottom spaces are seen as the most Unique spaces within the multi-level arrangements. The bottom space has the relationship of the entrance and the connection of the external environment, however the top space, casts the potential of roof lighting give the essence of being Unique. The middle space is seen as Generic. Its composition is repeating its self through the building. Has no Unique vibe to it. Only continuation. 

As of the plan diagrams above, the  Generic and Unique system has been used with the sectional theory of top middle and bottom spaces. The second diagram is an abstract version of the T/M/B analysis, where the top and bottom are Unique spaces and the middle is Generic. This is demonstrated in a typical section of Simshill school, Glasgow. The first diagram clearly demonstrates all the floors in being repeated of its size, giving this a Generic label to its configuration. This is demonstrated in a typical section of the Torre Velasce, Milan. The third diagram is conceived of solely a Unique space. Giving no creation of a T/M/B space, this only composes of a singular uniqueness to this space. 

These ideologies of The plan and The section creates a formality to designing. Creates rules and boundaries that orders designs to compose as a rational uptake. Everything is sorted in itself, everything composes together.