Synopsis Essay

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (APRIL 2019)

Name: Amirah Batrisyia Azman Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Ng Reader/Text Title: Le Corbusier, Towards A New Architecture ‘Architecture or Revolution’ (1985)

ID No.: 0326467 Tutorial Time: Synopsis No: Reader 1B Author: Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier expresses his stance on architecture and its potential as a catalyst to address the ills of concurrent society, where he thinks revolution should not happen as it diverts and sparks discord in the social community. Perhaps, the rapid modernization causes the tools that dealt with these problems of the society in the past, to transform promptly, bursting it out of our grasps. This fleeting evolution have both impressed and overwhelmed humans – and the basic role of architecture as a stem in man’s lives to hold and nurture harmony and familiarity dissipates.

How straining is the revolutionary world; where man is fixated to an intensely conditioned organization, inhibiting us from following in leisure the natural development of our existence; which is to create a family and to live – a privilege the society of the olden epoch attained. The consciousness rewrites itself as despicable; linking materialistic patterns with anything the human body can do. The arduous life of civilization in this time of age, where human welfare is disregarded in order to match the needs of finance, and the movement of industrialization. The constant pressure of financial satisfaction in order to just be comfortable in our own skin, in our own house. Where this leads to, is the death of tradition and linear progression. Indeed, sense of community primarily exists now, yet this emotion is unparallel to the feeling of kin that exists in the balance of work, family and life. In this sense, modernized society encourages the inevitable destruction. Thus, defined here, that revolution is hostile and repulsive.

I find that this is profound in Malaysia, with the perception of the immigrant workers who travelled long and far only to live under unfavourable circumstances. Where their leisure instances should be spent in worthwhile, yet they return home at preposterous hours to neglected empty shells, with their family across half of the world. As architects, what have we done to help them? As individuals with ranging degrees of power, advantage and access, has there been any attempt to eliminate this unhealthy lifestyle? In the text, the author equates revolutionized architecture as an act of distorting one’s morality. This is deemed true, but only once we turn our backs to those who are in need. When Le Corbusier says “- and we should avoid Revolution,” (Le Corbusier, 1985) he does not mean that he is opposed to the concept of revolution, instead he is a supporter of reform in another light; utilizing architecture beyond its undiscovered potential. Now times have progressed, and I feel this revolution can still be overturned; through attentive architects that can empower and use modern architecture to combat these social ills for the universal betterment of society.

Word Count: 506

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (APRIL 2019)

Name: Amirah Batrisyia Azman Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Ng Reader/Text Title: Robert Venturi, Complexity & Contradiction in Architecture (1966)

ID No.: 0326467 Tutorial Time: Synopsis No: Reader 2B Author: Robert Venturi

Complexity and Contradiction criticizes orthodox Modern architect and their treatment of (and attitudes toward) complexity. In every corner of the text, Venturi emphasizes on the significance of the complexity and contradiction in architecture relative to tension and meaning. He uses a repetition of these keywords along with ambiguity and simplicity, to express his belief. The concept that richness can contrast with clarity, leaving behind the tenets of traditional Modernism in order to pursue “truth in its totality”, an organic messiness that is perceived as more real and useful than overly planned hyper-logical Modernist constructions. Venturi criticizes modernism for rejecting the complexities and being exclusive as oppose to being indulgent.

Through various means of quality and value that architecture becomes interesting when visual tension is introduced. This can be exhibited through diverse attributes; in which the text conclusively talks about the contrasting elements of programs, functions, scale, perception and meaning. There is great value in embracing the labyrinth layers that emerges from preceding methods of architecture, that have rendered architecture into an intricate and convoluted mass. In other words, these layers should have a touch of authenticity, in order to express individuality and character. Complexity and contradiction should challenge the order in architecture, as the altering or breaking of order enhances the deeper meanings of architecture.

And it is not to say that simplicity cannot confide in complexity and contradiction, or vice versa. Similar to art, individual strokes of paint can be distinctive and complex, but the collaboration of different strokes form an aesthetic picture. Similar to tweed, where, as distinctive threads of different colours they create a harmonious form of visual mass, yet the individual threads are unique, bold, and contrasting. I too believe that contradiction in architecture is important to enhance the user experience of a space, as it reflects the user’s movements and perception. People are bound to be attracted to things that curate questions, they are more interactive with elements that tickle their curiosity. In my understanding, architecture bears opportunities to create a beautiful piece with two contrasting elements side by side, but to a certain function, degree and justification. These "contradictory or circumstantial" parts can make a work more dynamic because they rely on the principle of inclusion (Venturi, 1977): they are open to interpretation, sometimes loose and more expressive. A visually complex, constructed environment is necessary and can undeniably exist between regimented order and barren architectural forms.

Word Count: 402

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (APRIL 2019)

Name: Amirah Batrisyia Azman Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Ng Reader/Text Title: Juhani Pallasma, “The Geometry of Feeling A Look at Phenomenology of Architecture” (1996)

ID No.: 0326467 Tutorial Time: Synopsis No: Reader 3B Author: Juhani Pallasma

Pallasma calls out the failure of contemporary dwellings to instill a sense of intimacy and domicile in comparison to the emotions that abandoned and old houses tend to evoke. The architecture has steered away from its dawning, by progressing into an accomplished profession whilst still holding on to the belief that it is a form of free artistic articulation.

The author then touches on the relationships between buildings and its physical and mental experiences in its spaces, or in this case, the lack thereof. How some, if not most modern-day architects are so engrossed in the technicality and practicality of a building that they completely disregard the prominence of the nature of the experience in a space. The experience should most certainly be prioritized but has presently become marginal instead.

It is in the poetic qualities of the space, that produces good architecture. Form may be interesting and attractive, but in my opinion as architects, the poetics of a space can affect our minds, our thoughts, our actions. Architecture as imagery gives an extensive meaning into the constitution; a more intimate and emotional outlook. The dimensions of a work of art is deemed to express itself only in the consciousness of the person experiencing it, and not in the physical entity. A point I would like to highlight from the text is that - imagery lies not in the forms, but in the images transmitted by the forms and the emotional force they carry. (Pallasma, 1996) From previous studies, I can comprehend the importance of the experience of the space and how this portrays the genius loci of the place, shaping it into a formidable architecture.

Memories are another tool that can induce one’s emotions. Pallasma describes primary feelings, which go hand in hand with emotional sentiment bonded in our souls. It also coincides with the fact that architecture is a direct declaration of existence essentially based from the language of the body. The body remembers the past experience; sparking nostalgic qualities whereby the user is able to recognize the warmth, smell and maybe sound of a specific space, or is even able to visualize something that used to be present. The author expresses his rebuke against architects who have neglected the significance of experiences associated with architecture. The extract relays the message that architecture should never be deemed by the form alone. Architects are individuals who design with the favour of public and users in mind, and to me, this wholly accentuates and separates an architect from an artist.

Word Count: 420

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