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1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (August 2017)
Name: Anith Syazlin Binti Ramli ID No: 0325737
Lecturer: Mr. Prince Favis Isip Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: Space, Place, Memory And
Imagination: The Temporal Dimension Of
Existential Space
Synopsis No: 3
Author: Juhani Pallasmaa
The writer, Pallasmaa highlighted on how architecture is commonly associated as
futuristic and newness term. With such realization we also inhabit cultural, mental and
temporal realities and so, he highlights that architecture is an art of reconciliation and
mediation. Furthermore, evidence provided by the architectural structures portrays the
glorious past and glance the stories they behold in certain period of time.
Consequently, architecture, in retrospect, represents the time-capsule which stores
and evoking the memories of places or buildings and imagination, on the other hand plays
the role to represent them. Furthermore, the writer utters out his opinion on existential
space as a unique quality interpreted through the memory and experience. In this context,
we as human love to take bits of everywhere we go and this subconsciously creates realm
of memories. Experiences which we had on certain time at certain place stay unabate as
far as we could remember them.
For instance in Malaysia, we have abundant of historical buildings such as Bangunan
Sultan Abdul Samad, Kereta Api Tanah Melayu as these buildings were there during
numerous wars, flood, fire, independence march, sports and hey have witnessed far more
in the past than what we can imagine today. They stood still, flashing all the past
memories, unfold stories and held firmly of rich histories of our country. Apart from being
significant in such aspects, the old ambiance holds the authenticity and purity of the
architectural essence and numerous styles.
As conclusion, buildings and environments structure our understanding of the world.
From my understanding, Pallasmaa had delivered such an eye-opening writing as well as
personal touch of his own experiences on the notion of experiencing existential space with
emotional elements. As for myself, I would personally capture photos of random places,

2. things, foods, arts, people and such whenever I go travel or even just sitting down, they
are not to be kept just as memories but photography makes me aware of my surrounding
and to notice even the smallest details.
Word Count: 329 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.