The main concern of this thesis is the establishment of a conceptual framework for the investigation of architectural space. Despite the common negligence in popular critique, my observation of current architecture in America shows both its dependency on, and evolution from, traditional space concepts (premodern and modern space) as well as its significance as a primary means of current architectural expression. Based on the analysis of four museum projects (High Museum in Atlanta - Richard Meier, Aerospace Museum in Los Angeles - Frank Gehry, and two projects for the Ohio State University Center of Visual Arts; CVA - Peter Eisenman, and the CVA competition entry - Michael Graves) an attempt is made to extract common features that characterize present attitudes toward space. Finally, the spectrum of different interpretations which comprise a new, pluralistic system of ordering principles, is put in the context of broader cultural conditions. This correlation (spatial expression - social environment) gives evidence of the interdependence of architecture and common phenomena of the American culture.