AS IF!!

Clueless is one of my top five movies of all time, and I have to say it is the main character, Cher, who makes me smile and laugh the whole way through. One of my favorite lines of the movie is made when Cher arrives at a party and while educating her less popular friend in the ways of the popular high school elite she says "We have to make a lap before committing to location". Funny enough, this movie scene popped into my head when reading the chapter on circulation.

What many people never realize is that in most spaces we may visit, our circulation patterns and how we move through the space is being constantly directed. How we make our "laps" has been carefully planned and is now being guided throughout the space. We are being led and controlled to move at perhaps a certain pace and turned in different directions. Where we pause, gather, move faster or slower, or maybe stop altogether has been planned and is being executed as soon as we arrive. There are principal components of a building's circulation plan that affect our movements and perceptions of the space.

BUILDING APPROACH

This is the distant view as we approach a building or space. Our first thoughts about the space are being formed as we approach.

In the pictures above, the approach to this building is shown. This is an example of a frontal approach.

BUILDING ENTRANCES

The passing from the outside (exterior) to the inside (interior) of a space or building. This is a moment when we are drawn inside. In many building the main entrances are very obvious, while in others they are not.

 

The pictures sow the rather breathtaking and grand entrance of a cathedral. There is no doubt for the visitor where the main entrance of the building is due to the size of these doors as well as the indented space that leads the visitor in.

CONFIGURATION OF THE PATH

This is the flow and sequences of Spaces. Types of configurations include Linear, Radial, Spiral, Grid, Network, and Composite.

 

These pictures show an obvious linear configuration. The path is very straight and linear. The user is clearly directed in this space.

PATH - SPACE RELATIONSHIPS

 This includes edges, pauses, pass throughs and termination of the flow or path.

 

These pictures show the termination point of a space. the aisle leads the user directly to the destination of the altar.

FORM OF THE CIRCULATION SPACE

This includes corridors, halls, stairways galleries, rooms and other spaces that direct or channel traffic flow of the circulation path.

 

This shows the stairway that directs the flow of traffic between floors. The handrail and the shape of the staircase point diagonally upward and show movement in the direction the user will be following.

So the next time you enter a building, room or any space, take notice of where you're being led and remember always make a lap before you commit to a location!