Somol's "Shape"

After a couple of readings of Somol's "12 Reasons to Get Back into Shape" his intentions for the article became a bit more clear. I looked up shape and form in my dictionary, and there really is very little difference between the two according to Webster, but again, after the a couple of readings Somol's distinction is a bit more clear. How I interpreted his thoughts is as follows: Massing and Form are two popular avenues architects take to determine the appearance of a project. Massing is the exterior expression of interior function. Form on the other hand is a response to external forces. This response ultimately affects the organization and appearance of the interior. Somol's argument is that this does not have to be our approach. The exterior "shape" can be used to respond to exterior forces, or to frame the city in a new and better way. Additionally, the interior - although constrained in some way by the limits imposed on it by the exterior envelope - can adhere to its own set of rules. In fact, the divergence of the interior and exterior "shapes" creates the opportunity for some pretty terrific interior spacial volumes, both in size and "shape".

Ultimately, Somol's "shape" approach allows us designers a little more latitude in developing more successful interior and exterior spaces in the built environment. This article has definitely affected my approach to the massing excercise due in 8 hours or so.