Presenting a Design Method that Begins with Space and Ends with Building

Buildings in their fundamental being are space-enclosing structures where space is a container of human activity whichin turn is exceptionally diverse and multifaceted and yet is always limited to a set of standard spaces. The spaces ofbuildings are designed to meet functional requirements or the needs of occupants, but rarely address the diversity oftheir activities in specific terms. Multifunctional, general or standard spaces have overridden a layer of spatialspecificity and relevance that could be part of any kind of building. By looking at human activity as a generator ofprogram, this paper proposes a design approach that begins with the design of space through presenting two examplesof spaces designed for a youth center in Amman, Jordan.