The Concept of “Surface Depth” in Architecture

Abstract

In history of art and architecture, surface has always been the bearer of symbolic and aesthetic values, the subject of theoretical and critical analysis, with various ideological, discursive and philosophical interpretations. The subject of this research paper are different concepts of composition, artistic elements and materialisation of façade surfaces, which have the effect of “surface depth“ as their primary characteristic. By analysing the potential of this concept in articulation of the structure of façade and other surfaces, three main emergent forms were noted: plasticity of surfaces (the use of small façade plastics), double skin façade with unused in-between space and double skin façade with used in-between space. By conducting scientific analyses of theoretical reference sources and characteristic examples, along with the application of the deductive methods, the characteristics of the „surface depth“ concept in architecture were explored, with the aim of systematizing the principles used to achieve it, the possibilities of its application, as well as ways to establish the dual character of spatial planes - surface and volume. This research has contributed to the clarification of this concept and laid the foundation for further research in the direction of finding, chronologically ordering and analysing other examples, in order to enable their more extensive typology and systematization