Ninth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

Circulation of people and goods is what makes architecture. Buildings and urban spaces need to have life as well as artistic qualities to be called architecture. Circulation spaces are however less discussed in theory and mostly not detailed in an architectural brief. Questions of flows are rarely answered in programming discussions, leaving design teams to solve complex problems, without the support of the analysis of key examples. Contemporary architecture emphasises open-ended spaces, with “blurred edges” and fluidity. The “physical” reality of this architecture has not only people and goods circulating but also information. Flows, related to environmental comfort and sustainability have also gained importance in contemporary design. This paper is based on research on the concept of circulation in architecture. The question of circulation and connectivity of spaces is discussed. Aspects of circulation (flows, access, hierarchy, organization, wayfinding, accessibility, flexibility, among others) are structured in graphic form. Four Pritzker prizewinning designs are analysed using this structure. Design solutions to recurrent problems are identified and transformed into diagrammatic abstractions. These should help to solve problems of circulation in contemporary architecture and present a rich panorama of design ideas to stimulate new and creative proposals for the complexity of everyday needs of the built environment.