The Research Of Visual Relationship Between The Architectural Interface And The Space Facing Water On The Urban Waterfront

The interface of architecture on urban waterfront is the background for natural view, boundary of the open space on the waterfront, and also one of the visual principle parts of the waterfront. The space facing water means all the spaces between architectural interface and water, including water itself, landscape on the bank, kinds of public spaces. For building holistic image and forming location sense of the space on urban waterfront, it is necessary to create a close visual relationship between architectural interface and the space facing water.Visual relationship consists of visibility, visual pleasure, and activity displaying, etc. Visibility means there is no many barriers between interface and the space facing water, which is affected by design elements of non-interface mainly.Visual pleasure forming depends on a specific and many-layered figure-ground relationship in scene, which expresses a clear and holistic image. As ground, architectural interface should combine with other elements in environment background, set off foreground together; as figure, interface should have enough abundant visual layers and elements, to reach the requirement of longtime looking. Visual pleasure is affected by Continuity and Hierarchy mainly, which belong to interface design elements.The energy of public space on waterfront is closely linked with the capacity of inspiring and concentrating kinds of activities. The architectural interface on waterfront should contribute to this, show as many as possible activities on interface, not only to make using chance easy-knowing, but also for adding more interest and scene to the public space. Activity displaying is affected by Openness in interface design elements.This paper starts off from the basic conceptions of architectural interface and visual relationship, through investigation of downtown parts of rivers in two large cities, analyzes actuality of visual relationship between architectural interface and the space facing water in cases, classifies and studies factors influencing visual relation, tries to summarize practical principles and ways for design, to table a proposal on architectural interface design from the point of view of urban design.