The Space Within
Interior Experience as the Origin of Architecture
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Reaktion Books
Published:1st Oct '16
Should be back in stock very soon
This book offers an in-depth examination of how interior space shapes Modern architecture. The Space Within emphasizes the importance of spatial experience in design.
In The Space Within, Robert McCarter delves into the significance of interior space in the evolution of Modern architecture, tracing its impact from the late 1800s to the present day. He emphasizes the importance of how generations of architects have engaged with and experienced interior spaces in their design processes. By referencing the thoughts of renowned architect Alvar Aalto, McCarter argues that the true essence of architecture lies not in its outward appearance but in the lived experience it offers over time.
The book makes a compelling case against our contemporary obsession with exterior imagery, advocating for a deeper understanding of the interior experience. McCarter suggests that architecture should be evaluated based on how it feels to inhabit a space rather than how it appears in photographs. This perspective encourages readers to reconsider their relationship with architecture, moving beyond superficial impressions to engage with the emotional and spatial qualities that define a building.
Through a rich array of historical and contemporary examples, The Space Within illustrates how the conception of interior space has fundamentally altered architectural composition. McCarter's insights reveal that for many of today's most esteemed architects, the interior experience remains a pivotal starting point in the design process. By inviting readers to immerse themselves in these spaces, he eloquently highlights the transformative power of architecture and the profound impact of interior environments on our lives.
'Ever entered a building and been captivated by the quality, layout, and use of the interior space? How it directs you along the path you need to travel? How it makes you feel as though you are in a space designed for your enjoyment? McCarter persuasively argues that this consideration is the necessary starting point in design. He insists that one cannot know an architectural design without inhabiting its spaces. To support this position, the author delves into the process used by various designers and examines how they have engaged with interior space and the experiences it can provide. McCarter focuses on modern architecture throughout the world, examining familiar buildings by renowned architects. Highly recommended.'- Choice 'Inhabitation is the soul of architecture. This important and thoughtful book is one of the very first to discuss the primal nature of the interior experience, which we believe is the place where design begins. The Space Within initiates a conversation that is essential to all who study, practice, and think about architecture.'-Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, architects 'A succinct, erudite study of the experiential qualities and meanings of interior space. Using his unique knowledge of the design work, writings and thinking of the masters of modernity, Robert McCarter shows that the geniuses of architecture have always grasped the experiential and mental essence of their art form. The Space Within is highly recommended as a significant antidote to today's formalist aestheticization and shallow digital ecstasy.'- Juhani Pallasmaa, architect and author of The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses
ISBN: 9781780236605
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
144 pages