CONTENTS
Introduction
Creating Spaces and Thresholds 10
Topic 11
Aim 12
Outline and Structure 13
1. Definitions of Thresholds and Space
The Idea of Space and Spatial Perception 16
The Percipient Human 17
On the Searching Eye and the
Searching Body 18
Perception of Movement Spaces 19
Historical Threshold Spaces 20
Thresholds-Doorsills 21
The Acropolis 22
The Pantheon 25
The Gothic Portal 26
lapanese Homes 28
Arcades 30
The Dissolution of Floor Plans in the
Twentieth Century 32
Transitions in Art 33
Dan Graham: Present Continuous Past(s),
New York, 1974 34
Dani Karavan: Passages,
Portbou, Spain, 1990-94 35
Bill Viola: Threshold, Frankfurt am Main, 1992 37
Lin Yilin: Safely Maneuvering across
Lin He Road, Guangzhou, 1995 39
Dan Graham: Fun House for Munster, 1997 40
Olafur Eliasson: Green River, Stockholm, 2000. 42
Till Bcettger, Schwellenraummaschine,
Weimar, 2010 42
The Threshold as a Spatial Phenomenon 45
The Threshold Space 46
Grenzen (Borders/Boundaries/Limits) 46
Schwellen (Thresholds) 47
Threshold Spaces 48
Equipment in Threshold Spaces 50
Threshold Space Closures 51
2. Threshold Space Analyses
Spatial Notation and Spatial Analyses 54
Space as Experienced/Represented Space 55
Analysis Techniques according to Schirmbeck 55
Adaptation of the Method 57
Threshold Analysis Parameters 58
Selection of Objects for Analysis 59
Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts
in Cambridge, Massachusetts 61
Le Corbusier, 1961-64
Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin 69
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, 1962-68
Museu de Arte (MASP) in Sao Paulo 80
Lina Bo Bardi, 1957-68
Museum fur angewandte Kunst
in Frankfurt am Main 87
Richard Meier, 1979-85
Fondation Cartier in Paris 95
lean Nouvel, 1991-94
Casa da Musica in Porto 102
OMA, Rem Koolhaas and Ellen Van Loon, 1999-2005
3. Threshold Space Design Tools
Counterbalancing Pairs of Opposites 110
Open—closed 110
Delimitation 110
Sequence 112
Geometry 113
Topography 114
Materiality 115
Furnishings 116
Counterbalancing Ambiguity 117
Phases and Organization 122
Recognition 123
Approach 123
Reaching 123
Arrival 124
Orientation and Information 124
Monitoring 124
Exit 125
Sensitive Guidance 126
Positioning Thresholds 127
Private Realm 129
Essence and Potential 131
Spatial Potential 131
increased Complexity 131
Access Control—Energy Efficiency 132
The Potential of Threshold Space Design 132
Application and Outlook 133
Analyses 133
Threshold Space Designs 140
Aspirations 146
Appendix
Index 150
The Author 153
Acknowledgments 153
Illustration Credits 154