Massing
Perceived general shape and form of a building
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In architecture and design, massing is the arrangement of elements to convey the shape, form and size of a structure or product.[1][2] The massing of a building influences the sense of space it encloses, and helps to define both the interior space and the exterior shape of the building.[1]
Characteristics
Massing is the three-dimensional form of an object or building, not just the outline or silhouette.[1][3][4] The use of massing affects the perception of a structure, and can emphasize the importance of a particular component or articulate its usage, for example by identifying an entrance or conveying movement through a building.[4] In product design, massing helps a user identify intuitively where the important parts are and how they are used.[5]
Massing can be additive or a subtractive. Additive massing involves combining volumes or repeated units to create a larger form,[6] emphasizing the individual pieces used to construct it.[4] In contrast, subtractive or divisive massing[6] involves removing parts of a larger, recognizable whole.[4] 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.[7]
It is generally held that architectural design begins by considering massing.[8] From a distance, massing, more than any architectural detail, is what creates the most impact on the eye.[9] Architectural details or ornaments may serve to reinforce or minimize massing.[10] Massing can also be significantly altered by the materials used for the building's exterior, as transparent, reflective, or layered materials are perceived differently.[1] Because it has a direct relation to the visual impact a building makes, massing is one of the most important architectural design considerations.[1]
Massing can be impacted by laws, codes, and regulations such as setback requirements and limits on height.
Massing also has an effect on building energy efficiency. A complex shape can present more opportunities for heat loss through the building envelope. Reducing the number of exterior walls, along with a low vertical surface area to floor area ratio (VFAR) decreases heat loss potential. [11]
Some architectural styles are closely associated with massing.[12][13] For example, the Prairie School is always low and horizontal, while the Gothic style emphasizes verticality, and Georgian architecture focuses on solidity and a sense of permanence.[12]