We have a tendency to organize elements that we view and in order to understand a structure, we perceive both positive and negative elements. In the same way, form and space are viewed in architecture and interior design. This can be as simple as considering pieces of furniture in a room. In the image below, see the pictures of furniture and then how they can be viewed separately as form and space in the black and white diagram below.
Photo Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30792449@N07/3238863770/
Defining Space with Horizontal Elements - Elevated Base Plane
An elevated base plane is an example of a horizontal element of form. This means that it is on a plane above the ground and has vertical surfaces that are emphasized. The Parthenon in Greece is an excellent example of an elevated base plane. In the image below, note how it is elevated off the ground and how this plane is emphasized in the black and white diagram below.
Photo Source: http://www.powerplaces.org/emailpromo/crete_2006_conference/
Designing Space with Vertical Linear Elements - U-Shaped Planes
Vertical planes can also show the play between form and space. For example, the image below is an example of a u-shaped plane with its 3 walls of enclosure. A u-shaped plane is primarily open at the end of the configuration. This can more clearly be seen in the black and white diagram below that depicts the same image in plan view.
Photo Source: http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/tiny-house-in-portland/
Qualities of Architectural Space - Light
Daniel Libeskind's Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany, shows a strong interplay between light, shadow and form in the image of a part of the museum below. Light illuminates forms and spaces in architecture and create energy, or in the case of this image, solace and tranquility. The black and white diagram below emphasizes the light source in this picture.
Photo Source: http://www.daniel-libeskind.com/projects/show-all/jewish-museum-berlin/
Openings in Space-Defining Elements - At Corners
The amount of closure of a space can effect our visual perception of the space. For example openings at the corners, such as in ribbon windows like in the image below, can make the edges look weak, but can also link the planes together. This can create a relationship between adjacent spaces. This is emphasized in the black and white diagram below with the black box representing the ribbon window.
Photo Source: http://www.sizehouseofezis.blogspot.com/
I love your light example, it's very intriguing. I actually saw that picture in a book of architects' works. The museum gives off such a dark and gloomy feeling just with the lighting used and it goes well with the context... Great examples!
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