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: 4 READER TITLE: “Towards a Critical Regionalism
AUTHOR: Kenneth Frampton (1981)
From the last two points of “Towards a Critical Regionalism”, Kenneth Frampton discusses the
reduction of artwork to commodity, a universal technique that brings about the condition of
placelessness; and the priority ofthe tectonic over the scenographic,
Modernization favors the tabula rasa approach to flatten irregular topography, optimizing the
economy ofearth-moving equipmentand also making an easy way for the layoutofbuilding. In contrast
with that is the terracing of topography as an engagementto embrace the site. He discusses about
climatic response,paying attention to the light condition. The window as the most delicate elementin
architecture at which light and climate control have a greateffect on, can inscribe the character ofthe
region through its placement in the wall. Curators favor the use of artificial lighting and avoid local
lighting. The opposite ofthis is the careful cooperation oflocal lighting and building design so that it
can guarantee the place-conscious poetics, revealing the interaction between culture and nature.
Besides the fixed window, the ubiquitous air conditioner is also an indication ofdomination ofuniversal
technique over autochthonous culture.
Tectonics is the poetics ofconstruction. The brick stairs affirm the foot as it meets each tread while
the timber floor gives another reading in which he describes the use a tactile surface's ability to make
legible the architecture. The tactile can be translated in terms ofexperience itself,butnot the reduction
to simple representation. He concludes that the cooperation oftectonic and tactile has the capability
to resistthe influence ofuniversal technique.
In conclusion, I felt that the last point of the text does not bring back to the discussion of critical
regionalism although the expression of the significance of tactile quality is undoubtedly evident.
Nevertheless, the ideas discussed remain good reference.

2. WORD COUNT 300
Key points (2.5)
Appropriateness of
Terminologies (2.5)
Clarity in Opinions and
Reactions (2.5)
Logical Progression (2.5)
DATE: TOTAL MARK & GRADE
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