Shanzah Hazrat
 School of Art, Design & Architecture, NUST | Islamabad

Spaces tend to grow specific usage by determinacy of a programme (utilitarian function) spatial function tend to develop parameters towards the physical attributes of architecture e.g if a space is programmed to be cafeteria for 20 people the area and building walls would be defined by the internal logic of spatial usage but intrinsic to tangible character of architecture grows the indeterminate systems, making event spaces. The design idea is to consciously develop dialectics between determinate and in determinate spaces while generating a dialogue of interior spaces transiting into exterior setting of the site. A programme less space is most likely to develop mutable nature and grows strongly in immediate proximity of determinate spaces. The architectural parameters of indeterminate spaces can be defined by the character (e.g. Transitional, stay area), scale and relationship with the exterior setting.

Translation into design 

• Indeterminate spaces latched onto building programme generating character through site views, topography and interplay of daylight. Exterior spaces are part of the landscape design and are craved out of the negative spaces of building’s physical parameter.
• Use of jalis and skylights as a dialogue element with the exterior environment generate patterns of transitory nature inside and on building facades.
• Balconies of mutated scales are generated on different parts of the building w.r.t the site views and adjacent determinate programme.
• Natural topography of the site is used to create viewing decks growing intrinsic to the building outline (ground floor).
• Main entrance encases the major ramp providing sense of arrival towards the building in addition defining the major axis and free flow circulation leading towards the lake.No function axis is developed significantly on the concept of movement, through this directional movement transition in the nature of indeterminate character of exterior setting of the site is developed through a  ramp leading towards entrance developing a statement of approach, which opens up into free flow space leading towards the lake and encased in the buildings determinate programmes.

• Designed space is a combination of
  • Function
  • Aesthetic
  • Structure  and
  • EVENT
• Interaction of Space and People brings out
  • Life
  • Ambiance
  • Dynamicity
• Concept
  • It is important to have a thought behind an architectural work
  • It needs to be well grounded
  • Do not mix architectural design technique with it 
  • Must have a theoretical Underpinning
  • It provides you with direction for following
    • Aesthetic Language
    • Structure
    • Hierarchy of Space and Function
    • Ambiance of Space
• Geometry
  • It is a tool to materialize your concept
  • It needs to follow accepted rules (Geometric and trigonometry theorems!)
  • Strong geometry produces good compositions
  • It has to be related to your concept
  • It provides you with opportunities:
    • Interplay of mass
    • Structural solutions
    • Visual hierarchy of space
    • Relationship between spaces
• Where to start
  • History or Culture or Social or Future or program
  • Answer: it needs to be grounded within verifiable factors
    • Context (topography, user, site – the physical realm)
    • Aspect (what is needed and it is not the program because program is constant)
    • Prospect (where does it go forth, its usability, its ability to produce an event)
    • Function (not use of space but the usability which again dictates the space’s transformability and accommodative property)
• Care to be taken
  • Not all that is in our or any socio-cultural structure is considered as a ‘fact’
    • Change can be brought but a rationale is to be provided for.
    • Change can be brought but not through behavior pattern but via ‘analysis of a behavior pattern’
    • Ideal leads to idea
      • Idea needs to demonstrate its practicality
      • It is not just grounded in functionality but also in experience
    • Experience is depended upon senses – all our senses