Rethinking the Urban Square
3.2 Form and Shape By reference to its limits, the physical form of a square can be defined. These are the distinguishing elements of open space, as well as the negative form of space within such boundaries. The boundaries, such as the ground pavement or the façade of a building, can be noticeable and tangible; the boundaries of a square may be the pierced screen as a wall created by a row of trees through which masses and space are viewed beyond the volumetric boundaries of the square; the boundaries of a square may be indicated by a curb of roads or a trimmed hedge, a riverbank or a row of columns. Only roof lines or the sky indicate the upper limit of this open space, the cognition phase of the mind is required here to mentally define, unify and understand the spatial confines of the earthbound region beneath. There have been a number of attempts to classify the form that squares may take. For example, they can be classified according to-
o
Regularity
Regular shape squares- These take the form of a regular shape, like a circle, square, rectangle, etc.
Figure 25: Regular shape squares (Author)
Such squares show a clear urban image for the observer. They could be formed by roads leading to an open space and structures enclosing that space. For example, Vendome Square, Paris.
Figure 27: Regular shape Vendome Square (Author)
of Figure 26: Vendome Square, Paris (https://izi.travel/)
Yashita Khanna|Fifth Year B.Arch.|L.S.Raheja School of Architecture
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