Mohamed Khider University of Biskra
Faculty of science and technology
Department of Architecture
LECTURE 03 (Notes)
NOTIONS OF LIMITS
2 nd Y. Licence in Architecture
Dr. OUNIS Safieddine
Class 2022/2023
LIMITS 1. DEFINITION
(BOUNDARIES) Dictionary: A point or level beyond which something does not
or may not extend or pass."
Anthropology: "The demarcation of any kind of entity, whether
it be a house, a town, a region, or a country,from its surrounding
environment".
"The boundaries that define the range of movement of
a particular organism or group of organisms within a given
environment".
2. TYPES
Physical: physical barriers that separate spaces and can include
walls, fences, and other types of structural elements.
Visual: the use of colour, texture, lighting, and other visual cues
that help to define the boundaries of a space.
Symbolic: These are created through cultural and social norms
that influence how people behave and interact within a space.
DEFINITION
THRESHOLDS
• Liminal zones between inside and outside, characterized
not by boundaries but by continuities of flow and
movement.
• Thresholds are dynamic spaces that exist in a state of flux
between different states of being.
1st LIMIT: 1. HUMANIZED SPACE
HUMANIZED/NON- DEFINITION
HUMANIZED A space that has been intentionally designed, modified, or
SPACE appropriated by humans for human use.
CHARACTERISTICS
Accessible, Personalized, Social, Safe, Comfortable
2. NON-HUMANIZED SPACE
DEFINITION
A space that has not been intentionally designed, modified, or
appropriated by humans for human use.
CHARACTERISTICS
Inaccessible, Untouched, Isolated, Dangerous, Uncomfortable
3. TRANSITION SPACE
DEFINITION
A space that lies between humanized and non-humanized
spaces, and that may exhibit characteristics of both.
4. THRESHOLDS
Physical, Sensory, Behavioural, Symbolic
5. INFLUENCING FACTORS
Time, Events, Cultural background, Personal space,
Psychological.
6. CASES AND PATTERNS
Non-humanized surrounds the humanized space.
Non-humanized within the humanized space.
2nd LIMIT: 1. DEFINITION
INTERIOR Interior: a physically bounded area that is perceived and
/EXTERIOR experienced by individuals as private, personal, and intimate.
Exterior: a physically unbounded area that is perceived and
experienced by individuals as public, communal, and open.
Transition: The space between the interior and exterior of a
building, which acts as a buffer zone. It is often designed to
create a sense of anticipation, control, and security.
2. CASES AND PATTERNS
Interior merges with exterior: with the example of the
Japanese culture.
Exterior inside the interior: with the example of interior
courtyards.
Exterior is an extension of the interior: Outdoor rooms
3rd LIMIT: 1. DEFINITION
UPPER/LOWER According to Rapoport (1982), "upper and lower limits are those
limits beyond which movement is difficult or impossible, whether
imposed by society or by natural circumstances"
• TYPES
Vertically defined
Horizontally defined
