The document summarizes a reaction paper by a student on the text "In the Cause of Architecture" by Frank Lloyd Wright from 1908. The student discusses how Wright emphasized that buildings should be inspired by and harmonize with nature. Wright criticized contemporary architecture for lacking character and identity. He advocated an "organic" style where buildings express themselves through their form, materials, and relationship to their environment. The student agrees that implementing nature into the design process allows buildings to blend into their surroundings and have their own identity tied to the site. However, the student questions whether traditional Southeast Asian shophouses, which follow the local context, can truly be said to have a strong regional identity.

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: Chia Cheng Wei ID No.: 0322091
Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Ng Tutorial Time: 10am-12pm
Reader/Text Title: “In the Cause of Architecture”,
(1908)
Synopsis No: 1
Author: Frank Lloyd Wright
The author has discussed how the essence of the form and function of nature influences his design. He started
by saying how nature is important as a great source of inspiration and driver for architects. He criticized the
building at that time was dull with no content, they only eager to follow the mainstream decoration and carving
to define the aesthetic of the building. The author emphasizes on the importance of a building to should have
its own characteristics that reflect not in the application of decoration but in overall expression style. “Organic”
is his propositions and he explains the philosophy in architecture where simplicity is a measure of true art. It
ensures comfort and practicality as attaining aesthetics. Building should look natural in its site and it is a
backdrop or frame designed for natural beauty. The color and material should references to the nature and
emphasizes warm earthly tones. He explained with the example of Prairie style architecture that build with
organic design method and the Falling Water response to the waterfall featured. He expresses his
disappointment of American architecture not being true to the spirit of democracy where the buildings has no
spiritual integrity and merely just follow the trend. There is no identity of the building. He states that buildings
should express themselves within the environment and does not disrupt the harmony of whole which I agree
when we approach with our studio design. Buildings following the context could provide its own characteristic
and more significant. He also mentioned his mentor Louis Sullivan implements nature in his design language
and producing a design as if it was given birth by the nature. I agree with implementing nature into design
should come from the start till the end to achieve what Louis Sullivan has done with his building, blend in with
nature and surrounding.
After reading the text, I have benefitted a lot. As an architect, we shouldn’t blindly follow your desire form and
we should take Wright as a good example in the thoughts on organic architecture which highly relates to its
surrounding natural environment. Hence, every building has its own characteristic and its identity to be at the
specific site. In Kuala Lumpur, a lot of the buildings lack of the design with nature and thus does not give a
strong identity. In other hand, when we talk about organic design give a strong identity, does the shophouses
follow the site context giving an identity of KL? Penang? or Southeast Asia? Which still remained as an
arguable question.

2. Word Count: 478 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.