Inspiration: Herzog & de Meuron and Negative Space

Espacio de las Artes at Santa Cruz

This image screams 'optical illusion'. Differentiating the openness from the solid proved to be a consuming task: proof that Herzog & de Meuron made very effective use of the negative space. Triangular cut-outs create vast shadows which appear to add depth to solid walls. The inclination of these cut-outs light up the ceiling which invoke you to question whether the space is enclosed or open to the sky.

Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Each angled sheet of glass casts reflections onto the adjacent sheets, enlarging the square hole by creating the illusion that its edges are being 'folded out'. This effect would be impossible to achieve without the meticulous removal of solid form.