The Basic Grid

The basic grid provides each unit form the same amount of space above, below, left, and right. Except for the direction generated by the unit forms themselves, the vertical and horizontal directions are well-balanced, with no obvious dominance of one direction over the other.

Variations of the Basic Grid
There are many other types of repetition structures, usually derived from the basic grid. Such variations of the basic grid are suggested as follows:

a. Change of Proportion. The square subdivisions of the basic grid can be changed into rectangular ones. The balance of the vertical and the horizontal directions is thus transformed, and one direction gains greater emphasis.

b. Change of Direction. All the vertical or horizontal lines, or both, can be tilted to any angle. Such diversion from the original vertical-horizontal stability can provoke a sense of movement.

c. Sliding. Each row of structural subdivisions can slide in either direction regularly or irregularly. In this case, one subdivision may not be directly above or next to another subdivision in an adjacent row.

d. Curving and/or Bending. The entire set of vertical or horizontal lines, or both, can be curved and/or bent regularly, resulting in structural subdivisions still of the same shape and size.

e. Reflecting. A row of structural subdivisions as in change of direction or in curving and/or bending [provided that the two outer edges of the row are still straight and parallel to each other] can be reflected and repeated alternately or regularly.

f. Combining. Structural subdivisions in a repetition structure can be combined to form bigger or perhaps more complex shapes. The new, bigger subdivisions should, of course, be of the same shape and size, and fit together perfectly without gaps in the design. or perhaps more complex shapes. The new, smaller subdivisions should, again, be of the same shape and size.

h. The Triangular Grid. Tilting of the direction of structural lines and further dividing the subdivisions thus formed, we can obtain a triangular grid. Three well-balanced directions are usually distinguished in this triangular grid, although one or two of the directions may appear to be more prominent.

i. The Hexagonal Grid. Combining six adjacent spatial units of a triangular grid produces a hexagonal grid. It can be elongated, compressed, or distorted.

It is necessary to note that inactive [and invisible] structures should be rather simple, because the shape of the subdivisions remains unseen. Active [both visible or invisible] structures can be more complex. Since the shape of the subdivisions is to affect the design, care should be taken in relating them to the unit forms.