reading materials 2

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (APRIL 2019)
Name: poh weng chuan ID No.: 0319951
Lecturer: Prince Favis Isip Tutorial Time: 10-1pm
Reader/Text Title: Learning From Las Vegas Synopsis No: 2a
Author: Robert Venturi, Denise.S.Brown, Steven Izenour
The authors of Learning from Las Vegas addresses, that Las Vegas strip is excellent example that how architects
perceive the progressive of postmodernism architecture in modern era and how they can the environment rather
intensify the place. The authors also, describe that the modern architecture approach has a pure distinctive form
without much of adaptation and how postmodernism use of symbol, form, signage, and imagery is symbolism of
contemporary that can represent a place of Las Vegas. The authors, also suggested that the analytical approach of
architecture in Las Vegas is to introduce a meaning of communication, which also, significantly show, how the
context of the commercial strip was created to attract the attention of passengers or pass-by.
In related to context of Las Vegas, Venturi, Brown and Izenour points of view, described that how Las Vegas
represent postmodernism can bring about inspiration to modernism architecture, as the arrival of eclecticism that
would bring mass cultural style of architecture running along the commercial strip of Las Vegas. But yet, the authors
also, argue that how modern architects creates architecture in rejecting fine art and crude art and abandoning
traditional iconology. Elements of purist style can be seen throughout ornaments and structures with repetitive style
on every part of the building such as casino, hotels and plazas. The writers also denoted that, much of the
architecture form are in a mixing style, sculptures and icons signify symbolism in architecture. In my opinion, I felt,
that the authors has brought an greatly upraise to the medium style of postmodern as can be argue that its style and
movement has a hybrid combination of art and historical architecture elements as to compareto modernism architect
tend to neglect ornamentation and tend to focus on form and structure.
Further on, the authors bring their views towards how graphical signage creates a symbol of meaning domination
the strip and the land of Las Vegas. The writers stated that, billboards, highway signs are part of the integration of
the landscape in Las Vegas. Venturi, and other authors argue, that the ideograms is use in form of commercial
persuasion, communicating non-verbally through graphical identity. As they are indicated as symbolic connection
and the spatial relationship are made by symbol more than form, which every now and then, the writers also claim
that buildings can be in form if sign as well as it represent an art or monumental architecture. From this statement, I
would state that, this reflect the important of electronics communication through architectural design as a form of
symbolic connection between space and people, which I find it interesting an asset of architecture can relate to jalan
Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street as the architectural space itself is fill with signage that form architectural
information that can connect spaces with people.
In conclusion, the author’s argument are very controversial between how the emerging of postmodernism and
modernism approach, this has become a new type of urbanism formation in the architectural movementof American.
It is important as postmodernism showcase various historical revival architecture this can be very responsive of how
derive of modernism and it signify art and cultural movement, and for modernism is the impact of postmodernism.
Word Count: 588 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date 28/5/19 Page No.