- The document summarizes four reaction papers written by Nicole Foo Shuli on theories of urbanism and architecture. - The first paper discusses Louis Wirth's theory that urbanization leads to problems like spatial segregation, impersonal interactions, and anonymity. - The second paper examines the idea that architecture should be an "extension of human inner landscapes" and create memorable experiences through sensation. - The third paper explores Juhani Pallasmaa's view that experiencing space and art involves embodiment that helps with memory and emotion over time. - The fourth paper outlines Kenneth Frampton's theory of "Critical Regionalism" where modern architecture considers local context, climate, and tactile experience.

1.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC613030)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (August 2017)
Name: ​Nicole Foo Shuli ID No.: ​0325517
Lecturer: ​Mr Nicholas Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title:
​Urbanism as a Way of Life
Synopsis No: ​1B
Author: ​Louis Wirth
​In the journal “Urbanism as a Way of Life”, the author, Louis Wirth tries to define urban life
sociologically by selecting elements of urbanism which are indicative of a distinctive mode of
human group life. Wirth explores multiple hypotheses regarding the numbers of population,
density of settlement and heterogeneity of inhabitants and group life.
Main issues pointed out by Wirth using his theories of urbanism include spatial segregation due
to the increase in size of population , urbanites being “dependant upon more people for the
satisfaction of their life needs” and secondary contacts - contacts which are impersonal,
superficial, transitory and segmental, being the dominant type of interaction among inhabitants of
an urban setting.
Regarding density, Wirth suggest that an increase of inhabitants when area is held constant will
bring about differentiation and specialization of people and their occupations, and of spaces and
their functions increasing the complexity of the social structure. As a result, they will be a stark
contrast between riches and poverty, order and chaos, intelligence and ignorance and splendor
and squalor. All these recognizable in plain sight. The problem of having people living within
close proximities but without emotional connection will give rise competition among individuals or
groups to the extent of exploitation and eventually surfaces the issue of loneliness and isolation.
As per Wirth’s writings, the heterogeneity of urban population prompts the urbanites to be
accepting of the instability and insecurity of their standing in the social structure as they mix
around in multiple social groups. Wirth argues that if an individual is to participate in the social,
political and economic life of a city, “he must subordinate some of his individuality to the
demands of the larger community” largely causing the problem of anonymity among all urban
living.
​My acquiescent stance on the ideas that was discussed in the text is justified by agreeing with
Wirth’s methodology of sound reasoning. Even though these are ideas of the past century, it still
rings true till this day. However, concluding from the text, the ​act of urbanization seems to bring
about more negative outcomes sociologically, it seems almost detrimental to society as a whole.
Because of that, one must question as to how urbanization has persisted through time. A more
extensive research is required to investigate if there is a different way of life in an urban setting,
one that is less harmful towards its inhabitants in the long term.
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2.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC613030)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (August 2017)
Name: ​Nicole Foo Shuli ID No.: ​0325517
Lecturer: ​Mr Nicholas Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title:
Body, Memory and Architecture
Synopsis No: ​2B
Author: ​Kent C. Bloomer & Charles W. Moore
In the book “Body, Memory and Architecture”, authors Kent Bloomer and Charles Moore invites
readers to consider approaching architecture from an experiential standpoint and looking at how
it may affect individuals and communities sensually and emotionally. The text introduces the idea
of how architecture and the built environment around us should be a “sympathetic extension” of
the “inner landscapes” of human beings.
The authors states the very proof that buildings are being teared down to be rebuilt upon is an
indicator that users are unhappy with their dwellings. The reason behind all this is that spaces
lack the “potential transaction between body, imagination and environment” as “comfort is
confused with the absence of sensation”. An example the author provides is the building of
rooms with constant temperatures as a common practise when the immediate reality beyond this
room, on the outside world are spaces where humans can feel breezes on their face and rain on
their skin. This is to say that most buildings nowadays disconnects us from our senses, leaving
us with spaces that are bleak, inhumane and unrelatable and hence immemorable and even
unfavourable.
The solution then, as suggested by the authors, is to “design to extend the inner landscapes of
human beings into the world in ways that are comprehensible, experiential and inhabitable” as
this will provide users with a sense of joy, identity and place, making a space meaningful and
memorable. In other words, it is only by placing the human body in the center of ​our
understanding of the architectural form can we properly conceive enjoyable spatial experiences.
In my opinion, the authors seem to be stressing that it is crucial to make a space pleasantly
unforgettable in order to satisfy users inhabiting it by improving the quality of their experience.
However, I’d argue memories and spatial associations do not necessarily have to be pleasant
and blissful to be remembered. In reality, we do not choose what we remember and whether or
not a space is favourable and meaningful is subjective to each individual and often based off
experiences unrelated to architecture.
So, though I do see value in the author’s proposals and agree it is important to ponder upon
when designing a space, I believe that there are more fundamental elements to be considered.
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3.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC613030)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (August 2017)
Name: ​Nicole Foo Shuli ID No.: ​0325517
Lecturer: ​Mr Nicholas Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title:
Space, Place, Memory and Imagination : The
Temporal Dimensions of Existential Space
Synopsis No: ​3B
Author: ​Juhani Pallasmaa
​ Juhani Pallasmaa, in his text, explores the time related aspect of the perception of space or
place. One of the main ideas he proposed in the second half of his essay states that to
experience is to exchange. What Pallasmaa means by this is, when we perceive a space or a
work of art, the act of experiencing it will always include the internalization and integration of the
stimuli with our sense of self - “act of embodiment” , followed by an act of projecting ourselves
into the space or onto the art. This is also what Pallasmaa argues, helps us remember as it not
solely a mental practise but one that extends out to our senses and our very physical body.
This idea of spatial empathy very much relates to memory and emotion. Pallasmaa suggest
that the role of architecture and landscape is unlike art as it doesn’t provoke emotion but rather,
it amplifies emotion - “ ...through their authority and aura, they evoke and strengthen our own
emotions and projects them back to us…”
Pallasmaa then inserts the element of time and analyses memory in relation to it. In current
times, the constant speeding of experiential activity imposes a threat on memory as it causes
one to perceive but never to remember. Hence, Pallasmaa concludes that, the role of
architecture is to slow down and focus human experience by. Architecture is to “establish frames
of perceptions and horizons of understanding”, it is to “sensitize us to be able to enter all
emotional states” and “provide the ground and projection screen of remembrance and emotion”
for us.
Pallasmaa briefly touches on the issue of forgotten verticality of space but leaves it unsolved.
Pallasmaa discusses the tenses of art as he believes that both art and architecture can only be
made relatable if it reminds us of our own past experiences, and it is only through making it
relatable can it survive into the future as we time and time again remember it, carrying these
memories of experiences, ideas and notions forward.
Reading the text has helped in understanding how experiencing art and experiencing
architecture can be parallel to one another. In my opinion, I couldn’t agree more on how
Pallasmaa relates the concepts of space/place, time, memory and emotion as it thoroughly
explains how one as a human being would perceive and understand a place.
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Assessed by: Date Page No.

4.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC613030)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (August 2017)
Name: ​Nicole Foo Shuli ID No.: ​0325517
Lecturer: ​Mr Nicholas Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title:
Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six Points for
and Architecture of Resistance
Synopsis No: ​4B
Author: ​Kenneth Frampton
​In his writing “Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six Points for and Architecture of Resistance”,
Kenneth Frampton ​suggest that architecture should withstand homogeneity rooted in the modern
society​. Frampton further pushes forward the idea of adopting modern architecture for its
universal progressive qualities while simultaneously placing importance on the geographical
context of the building, emphasising on features that are specific to a region such as topography,
context, climate and light.
Under point 5. Culture Versus Nature: Topography, Context, Climate, Light and Tectonic Form,
Frampton proposes that “Critical regionalism necessarily involves a more directly dialectic
relation with nature, more than abstract, formal traditions of modern avant-garde architecture
allow.”​ The problem of placelessness is often the result of designs which do not consider the the
local context, in which the solution to it calls for the inclusiveness of these considerations.
Frampton states a few examples terracing an irregular topography in order to cultivate the site as
oppose to the making of the same site into a flat land or the use of natural lighting which will alter
the appearance of a space according to the time, season and humidity of a place as oppose to
the use of artificial lighting in a building.
In point 6. The Visual Versus the Tactile, Frampton argues that “ the importance of the tactile
resides in the fact that it can only be decoded in terms of experience itself ” and cannot be
substituted by anything in the absence of its presence. This is why “ the tactile resilience of the
place-form” coupled with the ability of the human body to experience a space other than through
sight becomes a possible scheme to counter the influence of universal technology.
In this, I stand agreeing with Frampton’s suggestions on ways of approaching Critical
Regionalism. On one hand we are able to save the identity of a place, but on the other hand we
get to utilize modern technology and build in more efficient ways.
Word Count: Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.