Massing

Apr 22, 2026 - 20:49
0 0
Massing

Characteristics: Rephrase for more accurate description of additive and subtractive massing

← Previous revision Revision as of 15:18, 22 April 2026
Line 9: Line 9:
Massing is three-dimensional, a matter of form, not just an outline from a single perspective, a shape.{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Arthur|title=Architectural Design Procedures|location=New York|publisher=Routledge|date=1999|isbn=9780415502849|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ttErBgAAQBAJ|page=108}} Massing influences the sense of space which the building encloses, and helps to define both the interior space and the exterior shape of the building.
Massing is three-dimensional, a matter of form, not just an outline from a single perspective, a shape.{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Arthur|title=Architectural Design Procedures|location=New York|publisher=Routledge|date=1999|isbn=9780415502849|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ttErBgAAQBAJ|page=108}} Massing influences the sense of space which the building encloses, and helps to define both the interior space and the exterior shape of the building.


Massing can be an ''additive'' or a ''subtractive'' process. Additive design involves combining volumes or repeating units to create a larger form,{{cite book|last=Dietsch|first=Deborah K.|title=Architecture for Dummies|location=New York|publisher=Hungry Minds|date=2002|isbn=9780764553967|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h_SXC6RER-0C|pages=30–31}} emphasizing the individual pieces used to construct it.{{cite book |last1=Clark |first1=Roger H. |last2=Pause |first2=Michael |date=2012 |title=Precedents in Architecture: Analytic Diagrams, Formative Ideas, and Partis |edition=4th |url=https://archive.org/details/precedentsinarch0000clar_f2x7 |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |pages=6–7 |isbn=978-0-470-94674-9 |access-date={{date|April 22 2026}}}} In contrast, a subtractive or ''divisive'' process removes material from a larger, recognizable whole. Architects use massing models to depict the volume of a design and its relationship with the external space. Unlike other types of models like solid/void models and development models, massing models do not typically include openings or interior spaces.{{cite book |last=Mills |first=Criss B. |date=2011 |title=Designing with Models: A Studio Guide to Architectural Process Models |edition=3rd |url=https://archive.org/details/designingwithmod0000mill_d8s1 |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |page=7 |isbn=978-0-470-49885-9 |access-date={{date|April 22 2026}}}}
Massing can be ''additive'' or a ''subtractive''. Additive massing involves combining volumes or repeating units to create a larger form,{{cite book|last=Dietsch|first=Deborah K.|title=Architecture for Dummies|location=New York|publisher=Hungry Minds|date=2002|isbn=9780764553967|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h_SXC6RER-0C|pages=30–31}} emphasizing the individual pieces used to construct it.{{cite book |last1=Clark |first1=Roger H. |last2=Pause |first2=Michael |date=2012 |title=Precedents in Architecture: Analytic Diagrams, Formative Ideas, and Partis |edition=4th |url=https://archive.org/details/precedentsinarch0000clar_f2x7 |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |pages=6–7 |isbn=978-0-470-94674-9 |access-date={{date|April 22 2026}}}} In contrast, subtractive or ''divisive'' massing involves removing parts of a larger, recognizable whole. Architects use massing models to depict the volume of a design and its relationship with the external space. Unlike other types of models like solid/void models and development models, massing models do not typically include openings or interior spaces.{{cite book |last=Mills |first=Criss B. |date=2011 |title=Designing with Models: A Studio Guide to Architectural Process Models |edition=3rd |url=https://archive.org/details/designingwithmod0000mill_d8s1 |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |page=7 |isbn=978-0-470-49885-9 |access-date={{date|April 22 2026}}}}


It is generally held that architectural design begins by considering massing.{{cite book|last=Leyton|first=Michael|title=A generative theory of shape|location=Berlin|publisher=Heidelberg Springer|date=2001|isbn=9783540454885|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-8hrCQAAQBAJ|page=366}} From a distance, massing, more than any architectural detail, is what creates the most impact on the eye.{{cite book|last=Charleson|first=Andrew|title=Structure As Architecture: A Source Book for Architects and Structural Engineers|location=New York|publisher=Routledge|date=2015|isbn=9780415644594|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ROkABAAAQBAJ|page=14}} Architectural details or ornaments may serve to reinforce or minimize massing.{{cite book|last=Glassie|first=Henry H.|title=Vernacular Architecture|location=Philadelphia, Pa.|publisher=Material Culture|date=2000|isbn=9780253213952|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PgXZOVUVoIC|page=69}} Massing can also be significantly altered by the materials used for the building's exterior, as transparent, reflective, or layered materials are perceived differently. Because it has a direct relation to the visual impact a building makes, massing is one of the most important architectural design considerations.
It is generally held that architectural design begins by considering massing.{{cite book|last=Leyton|first=Michael|title=A generative theory of shape|location=Berlin|publisher=Heidelberg Springer|date=2001|isbn=9783540454885|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-8hrCQAAQBAJ|page=366}} From a distance, massing, more than any architectural detail, is what creates the most impact on the eye.{{cite book|last=Charleson|first=Andrew|title=Structure As Architecture: A Source Book for Architects and Structural Engineers|location=New York|publisher=Routledge|date=2015|isbn=9780415644594|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ROkABAAAQBAJ|page=14}} Architectural details or ornaments may serve to reinforce or minimize massing.{{cite book|last=Glassie|first=Henry H.|title=Vernacular Architecture|location=Philadelphia, Pa.|publisher=Material Culture|date=2000|isbn=9780253213952|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PgXZOVUVoIC|page=69}} Massing can also be significantly altered by the materials used for the building's exterior, as transparent, reflective, or layered materials are perceived differently. Because it has a direct relation to the visual impact a building makes, massing is one of the most important architectural design considerations.
Read More