Transition Spaces in an Indian Context

Abstract

Architectural spatial organization is a manifestation of our socio-cultural character reflected in space. On one hand we have multiple users and on the other hand multiple functionally defined spaces. Differences in social relationships are reflected in the articulation of spaces. In this sense the significance of transition spaces is paramount. The paper aims to explore the nature of transition spaces with respect to social meanings attributed to them and the symbolic reference they give in return to architectural space. The transition from public to private, from sacred to profane is explored. It aims to describe transition space in terms of nature, character, morphology and social meaning. Hierarchy and enclosure will be looked at, as well as transparency and material articulation. From architectural elements to spaces, the role and quality of the nature of "transition" will be analysed. The paper will look at transition spaces from the viewpoint of its role, as that, which enforces the identity of users and from that, which merges them. Social conditions of status, gender and differentiation will be enumerated. Transition spaces from examples of houses in traditional environments, urban and rural will be described and compared with corresponding urban and contemporary examples within a fixed historical framework. The study will concentrate on examples from South India. Focus will be given on threshold spaces and courtyards. Theoretical framework of Yatin Pandya will be referenced in terms of spatial elements and Amos Rapoport for a framework of reference for social meaning and space. The paper will show that in contemporary life people adapt to new conditions but maintain old traditions interpreted in a new way where distinct boundaries laid by tradition, give way to new understandings of adjustment and adaptation and temporal space thereby to some extent blurring boundaries but still maintaining cultural differences.