Architectural Massing is a design concept exploration process. It is usually the first design element any designer tackles while beginning the process. Architectural Massing defines the three-dimensional form of the structure, and the space it occupies. Massing helps a designer understand the effect of the mass on its surroundings and how they interact. It also helps in understanding the interaction between the subparts of a design. The most impactful first visual impression of a Design is Architectural Massing, especially from a distance. You can find specific styles of massing elementary to various Architectural design styles.

It helps understand the possible iterations of forms of a design. There are numerous ways a building can be designed, but not all solve client requirements or fulfil their vision. Massing helps explore the possibilities because Design is not a fixed procedure. It requires many iterations and explorations to derive the most suitable solution.

How does Architectural Massing help?

Architectural Massing helps understand the volume a building occupies. A Building’s Massing has a significant effect on how it affects the natural elements and how that translates into a change in the microclimate. A building can affect the light and thus cast shadows, can affect wind flow, etc. Massing helps us understand the relationship between buildings and their surrounding. It is also essential in designing an overall composition and ensurin their harmony with each other, subjective to the design concept. Since each building can have its unique identity, the Massing process can be used to help a building blend in its surroundings (for eg. a project in a heritage area) or stand out amongst its architectural surroundings. (for eg. A shopping complex in a market)

Massing can also critically help with energy efficiency since a larger surface area accounts for greater heat loss or heat gain, depending on the climate conditions. Optimising the Massing depending on the sun’s path can help create energy-efficient buildings that have a lesser impact on the environment, thus making them more sustainable.

Architectural Massing not only affects the exterior form of the building but also influences the experiences in the interiors. An interesting thing about Massing is that it need not always be functional. Facade elements have also been used lately to create the visual mass of the structure that is different from the Structural Massing of the building.

Basic types of Massing styles

There are two basic types of Architectural Massing styles, which branch out into various ways. Both of these cause different visual effects. Both styles can be used in the same project to create a composition of solids and voids.

Additive

In this method a basic form is used, and smaller (or even larger) masses are added to it, thus building upon an additive composition. Multiple primary forms can also be used and connected using the additive method, building a relationship amongst the masses. For example – The Interlace Project in Singapore.

Subtractive

In this method, subtracting forms and masses from a basic form helps create a form composition. It causes the creation of voids for various purposes such as recreational spaces to semi-open niches, which blur the stark boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors. For example – Kanchenjunga by Charles Correa in Mumbai

Different methods of exploring or representing Massing 

Physical Models

The classic way of understanding Massing is by making physical Models. Being very hands-on, it gives the best understanding of scale and volume relationships amongst the various masses. Iterations can be explored if the forms are predetermined. The drawback of this method is the amount of time and resources it needs for one set of Masses. If you want to experiment with a different form, you go through the entire process again.

Sketching

Sketching is a quick way of experimenting and exploring with the masses. While it requires limited resources, it greatly depends on the imaginative capabilities and sketching skills of the person doing it. A person with a good command of those skills can easily visualize and present them. The number of people capable of exploring massing decreases with the increasing complexity of the forms and the scale of the project.

Software Models

Software models are the newest go-to method for Massing. They’re the quickest and the most accurate way of experimenting with forms. Classic softwares such as Sketchup, Revit and new ones like Blender, Rhino help with basic modelling. Plugins such as Grasshopper (for Rhino) and Dynamo (for Revit) can be used to explore complex parametric forms that even the most experienced designers would have difficulty imagining accurately. With the advent of 3D printing, this also becomes a way to print physical models without spending time on it, though it is an expensive affair.

Advantages of Massing

Massing is elementary to determining the shadows cast, which could be the entire building or elements of the building. It helps understand shaded regions and the change in the quality of spaces throughout the day. The study of shadows is called Sciography. These models also help understand the circulation amongst the functional areas and the balance of solids and voids. It helps explore the possibilities of the existing site around government restrictions. A well-designed massing model helps enhance the user experience and adds to the project’s identity. Massing done with design considerations and requirements in mind helps with zoning in three dimensions. It also helps in communicating the evolution process of the Design & support it. Massing models built with reasoning are a great way of creating compelling arguments for your Design to communicate with clients, seniors and your design professors.