TRANSITIONAL SPACES

Introduction to Transition
Transition is the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
: movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc. to
another.
: an in-between state.
Since Inside and outside cannot exist without each other, space in between plays an
important role. That in-between space is called transitional space.

The notion of Transitional space

Transitional space: In Architecture, it is defined as a link or a connecting space between two
enclosed spaces.
: it is a space of experience between the inner and the outer worlds; an intermediate or a
third space. It is understood as a ‘buffer zone’ or a passage from inside to outside. They act
as both a buffer space and a physical link.
It is not only acts as a link between open and closed spaces but also is a link between private
and public areas; serves as a subtle transformation between the public and private domains
of urban residential buildings.
The transition space, therefore, is neither wholly private nor public, neither external nor
internal. It can be defined as an indefinite zone, which is defined by the relationship of the
existing extreme zones (internal v/s external and private v/s public).
It is not just a connection of spaces but it is a transformation of space. It is a physical and
physiological transition.
The transitional spaces can be planned or can be leftover space, but both these types of
spaces are in a continuous state of flux resulting in a “transition place”. The spaces could
create subtle interconnections that can be exploited and temporal experiences could be
defined through architectural interpretation of transitional spaces.
Nature of Transition space
A) Physical: The need to travel physically from one place to another gives a purpose to
the physical transition. It can be a staircase or ramp anything which has a physical
experience of change from inside to outside.

B) Visual: in spite of physically experiencing the change, the inside-outside transition

can also be visual. Examples like windows, curtain walls, balconies, jharokha, etc. act
as a visual transition.

Attributes of Transition Space

A) Transition Space between Two Destinations:
From mighty Gopurams, and Darwazas to simple and humble doorways in
residences, the treatment of entrances may vary in size and detailing, while the
definition and essence remain the same. It is a “Linking as well as Separating inside
and outside”.

B) Transition spaces between two static spaces:

These spaces are generally used as linking spaces between two or more spaces.
Courtyards, Verandas, corridors, staircases, ramps, etc. These spaces are defined as
 ‘A world within a world’ or ‘Part as a Whole and Whole as a Part” as they are a part
of the whole house, yet can act as a whole individual space altogether.

C) Transition spaces between nature and built form:

From stone pathways to sophisticated step wells, the transition spaces created to
connect to water have always been of high importance. From a very simple semi-
open enclosure using pergolas in the gardens to an elaborate chhatri, pavilions, and
trellis, there is a wide range of spaces that connect man, his abode, and Nature.
Apart from these direct linking spaces, Balconies, chajjas, and terraces have also
been an indirect connection to nature or the outer world. They act as a link between
inside and outside and let us experience the best of both spaces (Openness and
Security).

Composition of Transition space

A) Spatial Organization: The organization of the built form is influenced by the
building’s demands like functionality, size, access, light, view, etc. Spatial
organization can be discussed in terms of
(i) Centralized space: It can connect many disconnected spaces by generating
the possibility of movement between them and acting as nodes that invite
activity.
(ii) Linear space: The series of different spaces are connected or linked through
an elongated linear space. They are generally connected in a sequence of
well-defined spaces, repetitive in size form, and function.
(iii) Clustered space: This type of organization is flexible and accommodates
change and growth readily without affecting its character.
 B) Spatial Relationship: It is an object’s location in space with respect to some
reference object.
(i) Overlapped transition space: This type of transition space does not directly
serve the function of movement, yet they are characterized as transitional
spaces.
(ii) Intersecting transition space: Here the relation is defined through the
intersection of two spaces or activities, creating a third in-between space.
(iii) Linking transition space: Linking transition space is a dedicated elongated
space, which connects two different spaces.
Determinants of Transition Space

A) Connector
B) Separator
C) Buffer

Forms of Transition Space

A) Abrupt: The transition is abrupt when the boundary between two spaces is defined
by a planar element or just by a change in level. There is a sudden change in the
domain.
B) Spatial: The transition is defined as spatial when there exists a space between two
adjacent spaces or events. It also acts as a pause or interval; it is a gradual transition.
C) Extended: Extended transition forms an extended linear space to provide a
connection between two activities. It is a continuous experience with connecting
spaces.

Transition space at different levels

This transitional space will be a connection between both macro and micro-level structures.
In general, spatial continuity and the consequent interaction between public and private,
people and environment, open and closed, inside and outside, are established by means of
certain transitional spaces. (Examples: atriums, plazas, urban corridors, gathering spaces,
passages, courtyards, stairwells, etc.)
The outstanding quality of the architecture of India is in its ‘Spiritual content’. Transition
spaces are experienced from macro and micro levels with similar forms but serve varied
functions. There is a very vivid similarity between spiritual and domestic space planning,
which is most often overlooked. The important aspect of the inclusion of both the mundane
and the sacred shows how easily the abstract notion of space can find expression in both.
These spaces have been translated according to their function, need, and climatological
aspects.
The typology and nature of the transitional spaces have been changing with time. They vary
in scale, usage, and connection. People and their activities make the transitional pockets
important within a city and the local context.
Macro level transitional spaces:
• Courtyards
• Plazas
• Gardens
• Gateways
• Entrances
Micro-level transitional spaces:
• Corridors
• Stairs
• Ramps
• Porches
• Balcony

Bibliography
TRANSITION SPACES by Daniella SZAUTER

MAKING TRANSITIONAL SPACE IN THE CONTEMPORARY CITY by Janki Sharma

Transition Spaces and How They Translate by AKSHAYA MURALI

Understanding Transition Spaces Importance and Role in Indian Architecture by Rashmi Singh

Understanding the role of transitional space in a creative learning environment: a case of CEPT University, Ahmedabad by
Rishit Jain

Reinterpreting transitional space- understanding transitional spaces through narration in works of B.V.Doshi. by Arth Patel.

Image sourcses: www.google.com