Volumetry? Find out now what it is and what it’s for!

We start by answering that question that many people ask when they hear the expression, but that they rarely put into words:—after all, what is volumetry?

The word generically designates the measurement of the volume of a given element, solid, liquid or gaseous. In architecture, volume refers to the dimensions that define the volume of a given building and its parts, including aggregates, earth removed from the land or placed there, etc.

A definition is very nice, but what does volumetrics in architecture translate into?

In practice, it is the volume that marks both the facade and the interior aesthetics and livability. It is the various volumes that end up defining the construction itself. Imagine that in a fit of creativity, you want a compartment with a pyramidal roof. The volume corresponding to this requirement will probably be reflected in the apparent volumes on the outside and influence the volume and arrangement of the compartments inside and must be integrated with balance throughout the project. All of this gives volume in architecture a fundamental nature that is important to know and reflect on. How will my desires and whims be represented three-dimensionally in the construction and how will this influence your style?

It is up to the architect to listen to the client and try to fulfill their wishes following a personal aesthetic line, or one established by the client themselves. This is called the needs program, and it will greatly influence the organization of spaces and environments in the project, as well as the apparent shape of the building.

Volumetry is fundamental in spatial dimensioning. There is always an immediate tendency to view the area as the most important functional dimension in the space of a house, as it is normally what determines the dimensions and arrangement of furniture in the interior design. However, volume plays an equally important role, and only the balance between these two variables is capable of producing pleasant and functional spaces.

Volume influences our sense of space in ways we can’t even immediately encompass. Have you noticed that a space with a high ceiling always seems spacious and airy, even if its usable area is small? Can you see the beauty of the play of light and shadow that prominent volumes, like those on a textured wall, can create? And the lightness of implementing stairs with perfect geometry?

The volume is determined by the elements of the space itself and goes beyond its geometry. Stairs must be well-sized and positioned to obtain the best possible visual effect, as they will have their volume that must be harmonious and be well inserted into the volume of the compartment.

With volumes and good lighting, very beautiful visual effects can be achieved, even if based on the simplest geometry.

If a small project, with a simple needs program and few spaces, such as a single-family house, ends up not posing major challenges to the professional, a large building, or a building complex can represent a big headache. Of course, there is software that helps a lot to have a three-dimensional perception of the various spaces, nowadays this task of distributing spaces and volumes is easier, but it is still not an easy task.

In a larger building, the flow of people increases, the construction has much more area, and at a certain point, it becomes impossible to maintain an exact notion of how the various spaces are positioned, interconnected and interact, making it difficult to present a cohesive project, as a whole. At this point, sectorization comes into play:—each section of the building is treated as an independent unit with distinct functional characteristics, and necessarily with its volumes and dimensions.

Any project consists of the creation and description of an object that did not exist a priori and its result is precisely that object, which will then be transferred to the real plane throughout the execution of the work. Normally this description of the object was made using analogue means, through drawings and models, which materialized a concept in a plastic volume equipped with precise visualizations. But, as we have already mentioned, nowadays it is often presented in the form of three-dimensional images generated by specific software, which are then accompanied by specifications and written instructions about the properties of the materials proposed for construction.

In each attempt at a three-dimensional representation of the design, the architect tries to improve and correct any problems in the initial design, which makes this an evolutionary process. However, it is not just trial and error, as the project starts from concrete concepts and solid knowledge to try to satisfy aspirations on the physical plane. If from the beginning the professional starts with certainty, or with the exact notion of what the final volumetric presentation of the project will be like, the creation is poorer and the building will be less rich and original.

In modern architecture, volume plays a role far beyond the functional. If before the volume was determined by the function (see the example of attic floors, or barns, which normally had less linear volumes than the other compartments), currently the volumes are presented in their most aesthetic aspect, although the aspect functionality has never been neglected. The need for large spaces and the preference given to multifunctional environments resulted in striking volumes that stand out on the facade. The simplicity of modern lines, with their absence of adornments, made the form sublimated and the volumes of the different solids gained aesthetic prominence. On the other hand, the evolution of construction methods and technologies allowed forms to multiply, diversifying volumes and the way they are implemented in spaces.

Finally, we explain the concept of volumetrics applied to decoration.

Interior design and decoration are developed under the premise of a balanced arrangement of elements in space, to obtain pleasant environments. This purely means that the volume of furniture and other elements must be integrated into the volume of the space, taking into account the dimensions available there. When we say that a sofa that is too large for a given space makes it appear smaller, we are simply saying that this balance of empty and occupied volume has not been achieved!

The use of volumes to add interest to decoration, although not something new, has been gaining fans, resulting in the application of three-dimensional coverings, such as relief tiles, stone or 3D wallpaper. It is its volume that our eyes perceive, which catches our attention and gives more interest to the whole!

We hope this article has been useful and enlightening for you. We demystify the meaning of the term volumetry and the various aspects to which it applies.