BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) SYNOPSIS (SET A) : REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)
NAME : LEE YET YEE l STUDENT ID : 0322328 l TUTOR : MR. PRINCE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)
Name: LEE YET YEE ( CHRISTINE )
ID No.: 0322328
Lecturer: MR. PRINCE
Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title:
Synopsis No: 1
THE METROPOLIS AND MENTAL LIFE
Author: GEORG SIMMEL
The metropolis and mental life by Georg Simmel, exemplifies the ramification of metropolitan life in affecting the individuality of human beings where the relationship between architectural and psychological aspects are proven to be tightly related. Through the reader, factors of urbanisation affecting an individual can be classified into three main aspects, the external milieu, money-economy and prominence of existence. An individual exposed to metropolitan life is known to be more rational and intellectualistic due to the ceaseless change of external and internal stimuli [pg.11] where a protective organ is formed against it. With a certain extent of fluctuation, it triggers the nerves to a limit resulting in mental dullness, or also known as - the blasé attitude, [pg.14] where rural residents perceive as cold-hearted as they rest more on feelings and emotional relationships. [pg.12] Hence, a clear distinction can be perceived when comparing both the metropolis and rural area with a slower and more habitual environment. In terms of economic-psychological aspect, the metropolitan life is governed by money-economy which dominates the modern mind to become a calculative one, causing the reduction of qualitative to quantitative [pg.12] with the necessity of punctuality, exactness [pg.13] and productiveness to comply with the vast momentum of urban lifestyle. Hence, leading towards an indifference individuality where economical benefits is prioritised over all as there is no intimate relationship between the producer and purchaser due to the extensive market compared to a smaller circle . A resonation of thought with the author can be perceived as I came from a small town where I could observe the individuals at the metropolis - KL are very materialistic compared to people from my hometown. The significance in achieving a prominent existence in the metropolis regardless the suitability and appropriateness contributes to metropolitan extravagances of self-distantiation [pg.18] where individuals strive blindly to make themselves noticeable where it became the source of self-esteem from the attention gained. Initial intentions of activities are neglected as the final goal is to surpass the others by being idiosyncratic. Nowadays, individuals tends to have acts that violates their personal character which arouse arguments from the community for the sake of being popular and “innovative”. Regardless the impacts above, the author argues that urbanisation of a metropolis allows an individual to gain freedom of movement with less self-reservation which allows interactions and interconnections [pg.16] to a broader coverage. Unlike rural areas where trivialities and prejudice [pg.16] constrains individual movement and creates a barrier against the outside world. In reference to the statements made by the author, architecture itself has gradually being urbanised where economical benefits is prior to other vital aspects like creating a better built environment to improve liveability. Developers in the construction industry adopts an indifferent attitude where preference of cheap materials with low qualities, resulting in a poorly built environment for the community. Introduction of IBS system which constrains the architectural design of buildings is also another aspect where quantity is placed over quality. Thus, parties in the construction industry should strive to regain the initial vision of the built environment - “Creating a better world, for all.”
Word Count: 472
Mark
Assessed by:
Date: 23.5.2018
Grade Page No. 1
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)
Name: LEE YET YEE ( CHRISTINE )
ID No.: 0322328
Lecturer: MR. PRINCE
Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title:
Synopsis No: 2
IN THE CAUSE OF ARCHITECTURE
Author: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
The reader “In the Cause of Architecture”, by Frank Lloyd Wright, justifies the “new architecture” and its aspects where the author’s stand towards the perception of architectural “styles” and innovations are being stated with close reference to nature as the root to all designs. “A sense of the organic is indispensable”[pg.1]. The author states that nature should be used as a guide for architects rather than clinging on to past practices without knowing the organic nature of building, site, people and intended as design principles are not invented [pg.1]. Thus, creating the formation of six “propositions” where simplicity and repose is being emphasised [pg.2 I]. Individualism of style in accordance to expression of personal preference in creating variation of different houses [pg.2 II]. In addition, a building should appear to grow easily from its site to harmonise with its natural surroundings [pg.2 III] along with the colour [pg.2 IV] and nature of materials [pg.2 V]. Lastly, a house of character instead of fashion [pg.2 VI]. During the era of modernisation, architects like Toyo Ito implies the concept of nature and growth into his designs where it is clearly reflected through the museum of Baroque art and culture in Mexico. The minimalistic organic form of the building takes reference from the infinite richness of nature, greater than all the “orders” or “styles” where it cannot be replicated by a third party. The author further justifies that integrity [pg.2], is the basis of all elements. Architecture will never gain uniformity of type as the past great styles like Gothic and Renaissance as the ideal is democracy - variety in unity, which accommodates a variation of houses. In reference to the economical and industrial movement [pg.3], architects acts as a factory with repetitive ready-to-use designs which lack of the sense of art. Extracted from working experiences in the architecture industry, designed plans are re-used with minimal modification made, resulting in a poor sense of place and lack of site response. This is due to the prioritisation of economical benefits over design. It is then illustrated that every architect’s design has its own individuality where buildings bears a family resemblance to one another [pg.6]. Hence, clients are to match themselves accordingly to the characterisation of architects. The reader also mention a habit of mind fixed by architects where the exteriors of buildings must be a wow-factor with lack of consideration in the implication of design elements, for instance, carving ornamentations for the sake of aesthetic or acting as a shield in covering up faults of designs [pg.6]. “As for the future the work shall grow more truly simple; more expressive with fewer lines, fewer forms; more articulate with less labor, more plastic, more fluent, although more coherent; more organic.”[pg.7] An impactful reader that changes my perception towards architecture, not to just design for the sake of creating something majestic and prominent, but the art within that gives life and spirit, a language which conveys messages that inspires. Not to bound ourselves with the design “styles”, but to question and be critical about every intention and design elements, in achieving the “real architecture”.
Word Count: 498
Mark
Assessed by:
Date: 23.5.2018
Grade Page No. 2
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)
Name: LEE YET YEE ( CHRISTINE )
ID No.: 0322328
Lecturer: MR. PRINCE
Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title:
Synopsis No: 3
THE EYES OF THE SKIN
Author: JUHANI PALLASMAA
In this reader, the author examines the role of senses in authentic architectural experiences and points the way towards a multi-sensory architecture which facilitates a sense of space and quality. “The city and my body supplement and define each other. I dwell in the city and the city dwells in me.” [pg.40] According to Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy, the human body is the centre of the experiential world where there is a constant interaction with the environment. [pg.40] The statement above truly captures the relationship of people and architecture where it is not just referring to a static building which functions to certain needs, but as a medium for spiritual enrichment as people learn how to not just look, but experience architecture through multi-sensory exposures. Architecture is then further elaborated as a platform in experiencing the world as it is an extension of nature into man-made realm. [pg.41] Existential experience is being intensified through architecture with a strong sense of belongingness which infuses several realms of sensory experience. Statements made above can be closely related to contextual designs for example, the deck house by Ar.Choo Gim Wah, where the language of buildings reflects the site context which is located within a forest hill. Vernacular architecture is being implemented which resonates with the natural surrounding, hence creating a strong sense of belongingness where people are able to feel and visualise the relation the natural environment and building. The author justifies that architecture works are not to be experienced as a collection of isolated visual pictures, but in its fully embodied material and spiritual presence which infuses both physical and mental structures, just like the the Fallingwater, by Frank Lloyd Wright. [pg.44] He also mention that a splendid architecture offers shapes and surfaces moulded for the pleasurable touch of the eye. An impactful statement is made where the final outcome of architecture, is the end product of all design strategies, elements and outcome, functioning as whole in creating a harmonic symphony that stirs up feelings and senses of people. The sense of touch, also known as the “unconscious vision” is stated as a crucial aspect in architecture where all other senses are the extension of it. [pg.42] Hegel claimed that touch is the only sense that gives a sensation of spatial depth where it is sensible towards solidity, resistance and protrusion. [pg.42] On the other hand, vision plays a role in revealing what the touch already knows by identifying the distance, outness, profundity, space and body. [pg. 42] Without the sense of touch, architecture is perceived as a one dimensional realm where there is no depth to it which seems lifeless, dull and boring. The essence of architecture is “reincarnated” with the sense of touch where the originally flat dimension metamorphose into an interesting architecture space where people can feel the texture, temperature, volume etc. The task of architecture is “to make visible how the world touches us”. [pg.46] In conclusion, this reader acts as an eye opener for me as I am amazed by the way architecture can be broken down into such specific aspects of senses, as well as the immeasurable possibilities of architecture in creating spaces for people. All in all, it opens a new door for future designs where I am able to apply these aspects in creating architectural spaces that speaks for itself.
Word Count: 512
Mark
Assessed by:
Date: 23.5.2018
Grade Page No. 3