The Space Syntax Characteristics of Spatial Configuration in Frank O. Gehry’s Projects

Abstract

Frank O. Gehry cannot be classified as deconstructivism, but he always pursued a unique language of form and a unique work method. His space exhibits the characteristic of distributed spatial composition through division and establishes an organic coupling method through the central area. This paper aims to explore via quantitative data regarding Frank Gehry’s freeform architecture. As a methodology, the spatial syntax was used as a framework for analysis to investigate the characteristics of the internal spatial structure resulting from the morphological characteristics of Frank Gehry's freeform architecture. The result showed that four target buildings show a similar degree of partial integration in each independent space and a high overall degree of integration, indicating that the area’s texture is systematized. In the target buildings, public spaces such as lobbies or exhibitions show a high degree of integration and control, which indicates that the room with solid centrality and surrounding areas are structured with a systematic hierarchy. It was statistically proven that spatial recognition for wayfinding has a higher efficiency in Frank Gehry's architecture, which has a hierarchical spatial composition in a unique form, than in a box-type building. In his projects, the clear perception of the space is considered by forming a hierarchy between the public space and the subspace according to the volume of the area.