Theory: Hierarchy of Preservation

Mayan buildings were normally built right over each other, each previous temple presiding below the newly constructed one on top. As they built anew, the temples and buildings became larger and larger. This increase in scale sets up a moment of hierarchy not only within the building, but amongst the Mayan people as well. The king, surrounded by upper class citizens, or servants would sit atop the highest plat form and preside over his people. This is very much the same for the temple. The new construction presides over the old conserving a memory of time, as well as establishing a type of internal hierarchy that cannot be seen from the outside.

Theory: Hierarchy Among Spaces

The site at Uxmal has not only large gathering spaces such as in the courtyard of the Nunnery Quadrangle and the Ballcourt, but has contrasting smaller spaces as well. These contrasting smaller spaces can be found within the interior facing rooms of the Nunnery Quadrangle as well as in the Adivino or the Magician's pyramid. The size of these spaces informs one as to what the function of the building was even if there is no written record. For example, no one is entirely sure as to what was the purpose of the Nunnery Quadrangle, but because the rooms within in the buildings are smaller and interior facing, it is assumed that the building was used as living quarters for either priests, soldiers, or students.

Due to the shape of the Pyramid of the Magician, the spaces inside of the temple thus needed to have hierarchy as well. You can see from the section cut that as you reach the top of the building, the rooms become increasingly smaller in scale.

Theory : Proportion and the compartmentalization of space

The site is designed with a variety of large gathering spaces, as is common in Mayan architecture, in addition to more personal and intimate spaces, organized around private courts with an emphasis on living area. The hierarchy of the buildings can also be considered a "sub theory" of my original memory theory; the structure of the hierarchy of spaces creates intention within the buildings and the overall area of Uxmal. By compartmentalizing the space, a progression of space becomes purposeful and the form of the building joins the function for which it was designed.

The basis of this theory stems from the Vitruvian idea of proportion. Architecture only holds meaning when it enters into a relationship with the human form. When a human inhabits a space, the experience inspires its function. Therefore the progression of hierarchy is thus: form creates the experience of the occupant, which in turn inspires the function of the structure, making the human form that which links form and function.

Theory: Spatial Hierarchy within Uxmal

The Mayan ruins of Uxmal define spatial hierarchy in terms of their religious beliefs and class system. The buildings they created have different spatial qualities that correlate to the occupants.
The Pyramid of the Magician rises to 117 feet in height. The Pyramid may only be used by the gods or the priests. The pedestal for the priest registers directly with the altar in the center courtyard. Their height reinforces their power, so that they look down upon the common Maya.
The Governor's Palace has the longest facade in all of Mayan architecture. Uxmal became a regional capital and the significance of the space for the governor was crucial. It is built on top of a hill, as opposed to leveling the land, they utilized their mountainous region of the Yucatan to signify importance. The higher an edifice, the closer they are to the gods.
The Nunnery Quadrangle is composed of 74 small spaces. They were believed to be used for children studying or military purposes. The spaces did not need to be large considering they were for the lower classes.
Directly adjacent to the Nunnery Quadrangle lies the ballcourt. A space for all to and watch a ceremonial sport. The locational relationship between sports and academia demonstrates the things that matter most to the commoners.
Massive spaces surround the entire area of Uxmal. They are intended for gatherings of every kind. It is said that at one point 20,000 or more people were living within the region of Uxmal. The gathering spaces needed to hold this vast amount of people while still creating a directionality, so that they know where they are headed.

Theory: Hierarchy within urban structure

The Mayans relied heavily on the cosmos and supernatural to inform them of certain aspects of their own civilization. The site of Uxmal is situated within hills and mountainous terrain on the Yucatan Peninsula. Its directionality is informed not only by the terrain that envelops at times the structures within the city, but by the constellations and astrological information the Mayans saw as beneficial for the site.

Uxmal retains a core relationship with its surrounding topography. An axial gesture down the city anchors the entire city and allows for circulation of movement as well as significance. This anchor is organic in nature and holds to the cities angle, which is due north 14 degrees. As a result, what is in registration with the axis is connected through the vast plaza at the south side of Uxmal. The plaza is a counterbalance for the mass that is being enveloped by the topography. It acts as an itinerary.

Similarly, the interior spaces that are created from the axis are directly effected by the topography. In the governors palace, the entrance is in the east side, unlike in the Nunnery, where the entrance is on the south. This signifies that a shift in circulation may have occurred and all the systems working together within Uxmal are beginning to weave and open new thresholds for later development. (i.e. the cemetery group is a continuous expansion since the birth of the city.)