The document summarizes a reaction paper by a student on the book "Learning From Las Vegas" by Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, and Steven Izenour. The student summarizes that the book highlighted the need for architects and planners to consider the existing context in design, rather than just changing the environment. It also notes that Las Vegas is analyzed in the book as a phenomenon of architectural communication rather than morality. Additionally, the student states that the book teaches the importance of being understanding rather than authoritarian in urban planning, and that symbols and communication are important elements of architecture.

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (AUGUST 2016) [10 MARKS]
NAME: Calvin Suah Jake Ginn ID: 0313324
LECTURER: Mr. Lam Shen Fei TUTORIAL TIME: 4.00pm – 6.00pm
SYNOPSIS NO: 1 READER TITLE: Learning From Las Vegas
AUTHOR: Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, Steven Izenour
Summary of Learning From Las Vegas Part I
“Modern architecture has been anything but permissive. Architects have preferred to change the existing environment
rather than enhance what is there”. (p.3) Therefore, the first part of the book highlights the incent of the architect or planner
to look at the context and consider it in design, which was mostly a reaction to the predominant modern tendency of the
time, that of the Modernism. One aspect of the book that is fascinating is the interesting graphic representations that are
both of a particular time - but somewhat timeless in their simple composition of ideas and context. It seems like there are a
number of re-interpretations of this style and I think it's a pretty good reference point.
Based on commercial values and methods, Las Vegas is only considered as a phenomenon of architectural
communication. In relation, a research of the characteristics of a Gothic cathedral need not involve the morality of medieval
religion. Understanding the existing American urbanism teaches architects to be more understanding and less authoritarian
in the plans we make for both inner-city renewal and new development. Architecture as symbol states during the last
40years, theorist of Modern architecture (Wright and Le Corbusier sometimes excepted) have focused on space as the
essential ingredient that separates architecture from painting, sculpture, and literature. (pg. 7) Having said that, space is
defined as sacred to them and that is why spatial characteristics, sculptural or pictorial architecture is unacceptable. Symbol
in space before form in space notify us that communication dominates space as an element in architecture and landscape.
Two decades after the 1940s, architects are perhaps ready for similar lessons about large open space, big scale, and
high speed. Las Vegas is to the Strip what Rome is to the Piazza. Additionally, on representation, the idea of a strong visual
is often metered with a number of comparative. While the lists are dense with information, it's often the visuals that show
these dichotomous relationships within Las Vegas the most.
In conclusion, the ideas of learning and adapting from something that is irrelevant to architecture or urban is a
necessity for anyone working in these fields. More urban than landscape (at least in a literal sense) the idea of signs,
symbols, and communication within our urban realm makes for a lesson that this book is still good.
WORD COUNT 385
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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