Massing is the three-dimensional form of an object or building, not just the outline or silhouette. In product design, massing helps a user identify intuitively where the important parts are and how they are used. Massing can be
additive or a
subtractive. Additive massing involves combining volumes or repeated units to create a larger form, emphasizing the individual pieces used to construct it. It is generally held that architectural design begins by considering massing. From a distance, massing, more than any architectural detail, is what creates the most impact on the eye. Architectural details or ornaments may serve to reinforce or minimize massing. Massing can also be significantly altered by the materials used for the building's exterior, as transparent, reflective, or layered materials are perceived differently. Some
architectural styles are closely associated with massing. For example, the
Prairie School is always low and horizontal, while the
Gothic style emphasizes verticality, and
Georgian architecture focuses on solidity and a sense of permanence. ==References==