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Ordering Principles

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Ordering Principles

Order is the way Earth functions as the part of the Universe, the way we as humans function as a part of planet earth, "with out the oreder there would be chaos". Nothing functions without order. Architectural composition of a structure with respect to its complexity is designed with order to create harmonius arrangement. Any well-design structure should adress its purpose, context, users it serves and its menaning. One of most challenging Architectural tasks is to integrate order and diversity, which creates ideal combination of unity, variety and harmony as a whole. Analizing the order principles of Norwood Hall, we must note that the main hallway, which connects the East and West side of the building, plays a main roll for designing organizational layout. The concepts of axial organization with balanced arrangement is expressed very clearly.

Slicing building in half from east to west one can notice the importance of each side. North side (dark side) of the building contains restrooms, stairways, and elevator. The south side of the building (sunny side) contains classrooms and offices. The importance of each side is unique but yet very different.


On the other hand, if we slice building trough the center-line connecting north and south side,we can clearly see that the floor plan on east and west is symmetrical;
but not identical, each side could be used as separate building.

 

The south side of the building is greatly enhanced with Bastions
(semi circular towers), which are evenly spaced between west and east corner of south side of the building. Integrating Bastions in to the floor plan designs, it gave architect opportunity to express the hierarchy of the south side of building. Giving it, more uniquely look, and it created more useful office space on the side that uses natural sources of light for most time of the day. Comparing the more classical design of that time, the Bastions were the great choice of making the building even more interesting. With all the complexity and diversity of design that are created on each floor, we can refer back to the main hallway stating that the hallway in Norwood Hall is a Datum, it functions like a tree trunk. A tree trunk that is spreading its branches all the way trough the each floor level, gathering and organizing spaces, leading from wall hanging displays to the offices, classrooms and stairways which will lead to different levels of the building.