The theory of Void in architecture

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Authors: Fouad Ghoussayni, Amer Ali, Ali Bayyati
Cited by: 1
References: 14

Abstract

‘Like a flood astounds an ark, so a point surmounts on the sea of perpetuity’. This paper aims to delve into the architectural narrative of space by exploring the interrelation between architectural space and the abstract concept of the Void, within a theoretical framework grounded in phenomenology and symbolic spatial theory. It deviates from classical architectural practices and revisits historical ecstatic landmarks, particularly the Pyramid of Cheops, to support its arguments. The research addresses a gap in current architectural discourse concerning the limited understanding of space from a non-material and metaphysical perspective. The objective is to define Void characteristics spatially and conceptually; study the apex as a generative principle; and interpret the symbolism and geometry of the Cheops Pyramid using analytical, historical, and literary methods. This paper presents a comprehensive chronicle encompassing surveys, engineering, and scientific research centred around the enduring monument of the Cheops Pyramid. The initial chapters elaborate on this structure as a repository of knowledge about the Void and a symbol of the regional and trans-regional cultural strata over millennia. The findings indicate that the apex point functions as an organising centre around an immaterial core, supporting the conclusion that the Void operates as an active ordering principle rather than a mere absence.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Architecture Modernity and Design Architecture and Computational Design Architecture and Art History Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Cogent Arts and Humanities
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Volume
13
Issue
1
Publication date
9 April 2026
Language
EN