Prática(s) do Percurso: Estratégias de projeto em A. Palladio, F. L. Wright, A. Loos, Le Corbusier, Á. Siza e R. Koolhaas

Abstract

This dissertation aims to explore the relationship between architecture and the user through walking, analysing the impact of spatial design on the movement of the body through space. The study aims to elaborate a reflexion on the design strategies about the architectural element - 'path', in a group of six architects from the Renaissance to contemporary times, namely Andrea Palladio, Frank Lloyd Wright, Adolf Loos, Le Corbusier, Álvaro Siza Vieira and Rem Koolhaas. The different strategies are approached through the delimitation of two case studies by author, an exhibition character, and a single-family residential building, considered exemplary in relation to the projected paths, from the perspective of three specific dimensions of analysis - composition, measure and character. Methodologically, the investigation is based on the interpretation, reflexion and comparison of information gathered from bibliography, redesigns, author discourses, as well as visits to the case studies which together support a detailed comparative and individual analysis of each design strategy and the selected case studies. The comparative analysis reveal that, despite the temporal differences, the 'path', as an architectural element, remains not only a crucial element for stimulating the user and providing a greater spatial experience and understanding of the building, but also as a vehicle for materialising each architect's idea of architecture.