Theories of Architecture and Urbanism

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (AUGUST 2016) [10 MARKS]
NAME: Koh Kar Yi ID: 0320567
LECTURER: Mr. Lam Shen Fei TUTORIAL TIME: 4pm – 6pm
SYNOPSIS NO: READER TITLE: Semiology and Architecture
AUTHOR: Charles Jencks
The theories by RobertVenturi and Charles Jencks are influential and both discusses aboutsigns.
Venturi’s “Learning from Las Vegas” acknowledges the architectural rejection ofsymbolism as dull
and boring while Charles Jencks argues for a multiplicity ofmeanings, both are apologists for
postmodernistarchitecture.
Charlie Pierce, the pioneer ofsemiotics says thata sign is a representation ofsomething that can be
categorized into symbol, icon and index. Based on this, Jencks makes comparison between
traditional and modernistarchitecture. He believes thaticon is merely a sign that literally reveals the
thing it represents and unable to make different associations. An index uses forms to reveal its
meaning but still impermissive. He believes thata symbol is the highestlevel ofsign as itis
distinctive and philosophical and has the deepestmeaning ofall. The traditional architecture is much
of this category buton the contrary modernistarchitectural language is restricted and only underlines
the indexical sign. The modernistarchitecture can be symbolized as the use ofraincoatthat is
mentioned in the text. “The use ofraincoat can be dissociated from its shared meaning if we avoid its
social use” and so allow for multiplicity of meanings.
He also talks aboutthe preference ofmultivalence to univalence which literally means having
multiple value in terms of form, function and aesthetic ofbuilding. This reveals his distaste for
modernism which focuses on more ofthe functional value and completely neglects the aesthetics.
Again opposing modernistarchitectLe Corbusier which is famous for stating “machine for living,”
Jenck believes thatmetaphor or the relation to natural and cultural concerns is necessary.
Comparing Venturi’s textwhich uses Las Vegas as a successful example for symbolism, Jenck’s
way of expression is much more persuasive and less superficial. However, the appreciation of
pluralism and ambiguity may in the end become a challenge as the message from the architect
maybe concealed or misinterpreted.

2. WORD COUNT 320
Key points (2.5)
Appropriateness of
Terminologies (2.5)
Clarity in Opinions and
Reactions (2.5)
Logical Progression (2.5)
DATE: TOTAL MARK & GRADE
ASSSESSED BY:

3. SYNOPSIS
DESCRIPTION
ASSESSMENT
RUBRIC
Grades Marks Key points (2.5) Appropriateness of
Terminologies (2.5)
Clarity in Opinions
and Reactions
(2.5)
Logical
Progression (2.5)
A 1.8 -
2.5
Evidence of
outstanding
understanding of Key
points through clear
explanation
Appropriate use of
Terminologies In
discussing the Issues/
Concepts/Theories
Outstanding
Clarity in opinions
and reactions -
Supported with
strong Logical
explanation
Outstanding
Articulation of
logical expressions
ending with well-
developed
paragraphs
B 1.5 -
1.79
Evidence of
understanding of Key
points through
reasonable
explanation
Reasonable use of
Terminologies In
discussing the Issues/
Concepts/Theories with
Minor unfamiliarity
Reasonable
clarity in opinions
and reactions -
Supported with
Logical
explanation
Reasonable
Articulation of
logical expressions
ending with well-
developed
paragraphs
C 1.25 -
1.49
Evidence of Some
Understanding of Key
points through
acceptable
explanation
Acceptable use of
Terminologies In
discussing the Issues/
Concepts/Theories with
Noticeable unfamiliarity
Acceptable
Clarity in opinions
and reactions -
Supported with
satisfactory
explanation
Acceptable
Articulation of
logical expressions
ending with some
ambiguous
statements
D 1 -
1.24
Evidence of Some
Understanding of Key
points through not
quite acceptable
explanation
Evidence of
Terminologies however
poorly communicated in
discussing The Issues/
Concepts/Theories With
Weak Clarity in
opinions and
reactions -
Supported with
Lengthy
explanation
Poor Articulation of
logical expressions
ending with
noticeable
ambiguous
statements
F 0 -
0.99
Insufficient Evidence
of Understanding of
Key points through
weak explanation
Insufficient Evidence of
Terminologies in
discussing the Issues/
Concepts/Theories With
Improper
opinions and
reactions. Not
Matching the
Issues/ Concepts/
Theories -
Inadequate
Reasons
Unable to
Articulate / illogical
expressions.
Poorly written
synopsis.