Theories of Architecture & Urbanism

Synopsis No 4: Towards a Critical Regionalism Students’ Name:

Boedi Satria Feiven Chee Lee Min (Andy) Lim Yee Zhing Oh Keng Yee (Alexis) Tang Hui Ying (Delaney)

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Text: Towards a Critical Regionalism Author: Kenneth Frampton Year Written:

Purpose of the theory (Please tick X; you may tick more than one box) x x

x

Identifying an issue or problem within the contemporary context Analyzing an architecture to identify a problem or solve a problem Solving an issue in a broader context outside of architecture: presenting a theory/manifesto Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a design method Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a theory Others:

Please complete the following: What are the issues addressed?

BUILDING ‘CONDITIONED’ BY INDUSTRY Architecture in the age of technological advancement has become conditioned, or in some sense, shackled by the building industry. The emphasis on efficiency and productivity has led to an over simplification of form and function. As an attempt to hide this bare reductive product, a skin or facade is added that is often disconnected from each other.

‘RESIGNATION’ OF CRITICAL REGIONALISM On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who seek to hold on to the traditional culture of a particular place. This sense of resistance puts a brake on the avant-garde pendulum the symbol of progressive liberalism.

DISCONNECTIVITY BETWEEN UNIVERSAL CIVILIZATION AND PARTICULARITIES OF PLACE Herald as the centre ground between the two spectrums, the arriere-garde movement aims to generate a culture that is strong in identity with a discreet recourse to universal technique. This objective, however, is lost as those in the built environment swing violently from one end to the other, unable

to find common ground. The ultimate issue here is placelessness.

What are the design methods/strategy/theories proposed?

DEFINING FORM BASED ON PLACE USING AREGIONALISM The two, form and place, should be linked inseparably by the hyphen between them. This method proposes embracing the concept of ‘Megalopolis’, replacing place bound urban form with theorectical networks and distributive logistics. While seemingly encouraging placelessness, the text argues that the context of being can only take place with clearly defined boundaries or domains. This is a method that works on the juxtaposition of the issue itself.

TECTONICS vs. SCENOGRAPHY Modernization favours the flattening of site to eradicate problems that might arise with irregular grounds. The author encourages embracing the given topography and working around it to achieve an identity and linkage to place. Frampton suggests using tectonic elements over scenography, emphasizing tactile qualities over the perspective elements to achieve cultural regionalism.

Relate the text to architectural/urban forms by illustrating one key image.

Justify the selection.

BALANCING MODERNITY WITH CULTURAL RELEVANCE The main point peppered throughout the text is the need to strike a middle ground between the technological aspects of modern architecture with the elements of traditional architecture. By extracting the main elements and ideas from traditional forms and melding them with the use of modern building techniques and geometry could counter the issue of placelessness.

Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre Peter Rich Architects

JUSTIFICATION: CULTURAL RELEVANCE Mapungubwe, located on South Africa’s northern border with Botswana and Zimbabwe, prospered between 1200 and 1300 AD by being one of the first places that produced gold, but after its fall it remained uninhabited for over 700 years, until it’s discovery in 1933. The society living in what today is Unesco World Heritage Site, is thought to have been the most complex in the region, implementing the first class-based social system in southern Africa.

MODERN BUILDING TECHNIQUES The Mapungubwe Interpretive Center was realized using latest developments in structural geometry along with an ancient construction technique, in order to implement a contemporary design, meant to house hundreds of years old artifacts. The vaults have been designed in collaboration with John Ochsendorf from MIT and Michael Ramage, Univ. of Cambridge, using a 600 years old construction system to achieve a low economical and environmental impact.

STRONG ROOTS IN REGIONALISM The Mapungubwe strikes a balance between the cultural aspect of architecture and modern technology. The collaboration between the two elements results in a strong link to cultural regionalism.