In-Between Space, Dialectic of Inside and Outside in Architecture

Defining space by dividing it to inside and outside is one of human’s ways to recognize his positionin environment. Architecture is created to response to this need for inside/outside spaces. Design of inside and outsideSpaces and relation between them always has been one of necessities for definition and limitation of human livingspaces, but little attention to relation of this two spatial realms and poor design of transitional spaces between themhas caused to lack of quality in current Iranian architecture. This study aims to explore relation of inside and outside inarchitecture and focus on condition of transition, boundary and connection of those. For achieving this purpose conceptof inside, outside and in-between has been investigated and by exploring cases of this kind of connection (especially inpast and recent Iranian architecture), the aims, approaches, functions and physical forms of in-between spaces has beenpresented. This results and findings can enhance design considerations of in-between spaces especially in architectureof Iran’s big cities. Literature reviewed has shown importance of in-between space design as another kind of space:either inside and outside, neither one of them.