1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: Lee Kai Yung ID No.: 0318314
Lecturer: Mr. Prince Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: 2 Learning from Las
Vegas
Synopsis No: 1
Author: Robert Venturi, Scott Brown, Steven Izenour
Based on “Learning from Las Vegas” Venturi address that symbolism and icongraphy is
a need in architecture. With the desire to accept commercial architecture, he sought to
discredit the Modern Movement by placing value upon explicitly symbolic historical and
‘everyday’ building.
Venturi argues that Post-Modernism had contemporary factors to consider, the main
factor being cars. He stated that, due to the large number of circulation being highways
and roads, vast speed and the orientation of cars, bold communication is needed and
the architecture of supermarkets which includes large signage up front is a valid
response to the context that deserves commandment.
Furthermore, he also suggested that the disorder of the Strip is misread, because Las
Vegas simply is not designed to be aesthetically beautiful from a standing viewpoint. He
states that the Strip uses signs, form and location as a system have been tailored to
vehicular travel and provide their own rhythm to the environment, and it is privately
owned architecture that disrupts this rhythm. Huge blinking signs are what define Las
Vegas, buildings without them are deemed out of place. He compared the market
seller’s power of persuasion to the huge signs on the supermarket windows. Both
communicating with a prospective customer. In Las Vegas two conflicting ways are used
to convey meaning, a big sign with little building (A&P parking) and building as sign
(Long Island Duckling). In Vegas, the sign is more important than the architecture, there
would be no place if the signs are taken away. Venturi states that both styles present are
equally acceptable in Las Vegas.
In a world of fast pace and commercialism he states that connotative architecture is
irrelevant and architecture should embrace iconography and mixed media.
Word Count: 295 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.
2. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: Lee Kai Yung ID No.: 0318314
Lecturer: Mr. Prince Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: The Geometry Of Feeling Synopsis No: 4
Author: Juhani Pallasmaa
Based on “Geometry of Feelings”, Juhani Pallasmaa discussed about form, architecture,
how humans experience architecture and how spatial experience is affected by forms.
Juhani stated that modern buildings fail to appeal to our human feelings and emotions.
That the debilitating language of architecture is found in historical themes is lost in the
modern setting. He pointed out that architecture now days has become an intensive
game with form, detaching itself from its proper background. How buildings have
become a formal composition and nothing more, the experience and feelings forgotten. I
agree with his point as it is noticeable that in modern cities, buildings are merely
repetitions of blocks to serve a purpose, they lack any sort of expression, focusing solely
on the cost. He quoted that “the artistic dimensions of a work of art does not lie in the
actual physical thing; it exists only in the consciousness of the person experiencing it.”
Open images and memories that the architecture stimulates, feelings and senses it
creates are important to fully experience the uniqueness of the sense of place. Forms
are just to serve the functions and needs, without the poetic sense in it, it is void of any
attachment to the user. He also stated that architecture has its own origin, moving too
far from it makes it lose its effectiveness. Detached from our mental memories and
feelings, the building would only be something to be looked upon. A structure with no
sense of place and time, however beautiful or majestic is just a monument without
meaning.
Architecture now days are focused only on the form and their spatial experiences are
neglected. Exaggerated buildings are celebrated as good architecture. The instant direct
visual impact is important, but the experience that comes after that should not be
forgotten as well.
Word Count: 298 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.
3. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: Lee Kai Yung ID No.: 0318314
Lecturer: Mr. Prince Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: Towards a Critical
Regionalism 5 & 6
Synopsis No: 3
Author: Kenneth Frampton
Based on “Towards a Critical Regionalism”, Frampton addresses the importance of
senses and locality in architecture. According to Frampton, “Critical regionalism
necessarily involves a more directly dialectic relation with nature, more than abstract,
formal traditions of modern avant-garde architecture allow.”
Frampton is analyzed and compared the values of the universal civilization and
autochthonous culture. He placed economic against locality, which is more necessary in
the structure of buildings. He stated that creating architecture in natural landscapes
should require both elements, these two elements should be merged together to form a
building that is artistic and unique at the same time functional. The cultural
characteristics and the geographical aspect of the place are what makes it ‘the place’. A
building weaved with these characteristics in mind are able to represent and reinforce
the identity of the place.
According to Frampton, both visual and the experiences of other senses should be taken
into consideration while designing. Tactile resilience of a place makes it more real and
close. From the intensity of light and darkness to the feeling of heat and humidity.
Incorporation of these elements give a deeper meaning to architecture. He used a film
as an example where set is paved with wooden parquet. The sounds and feelings of
footsteps, actors gave a more convincing act and us a deeper connection and relation to
the architecture in the film.
Both text addressed the feeling and sense of locality in a built form. Frampton addresses
critical regionalism as a deeper connection of human senses to the place and form of
the building, by using and manipulating cultural, geographical and tactile sense to create
a bond other than just visual.
Word Count: 297 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.
