The document is a synopsis for a reaction paper on the theories of architecture and urbanism. It discusses the key points made in the reading "The Geometry of Feeling" by Juhanni Pallasmaa. The author argues that a building's form is less important than the experiences and feelings it evokes in users. A building should engage more than just visual senses and consider how people will navigate and interact with the spaces. The synopsis is assessed based on understanding key points, use of terminology, clarity of opinions, and logical progression.

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (AUGUST 2016) [10 MARKS]
NAME: SIEW JOHN LOONG ID: 0315871
LECTURER: MR.NAZMI TUTORIAL TIME: 4-6PM
SYNOPSIS NO: 2B READER TITLE: THE GEOMETRY OF FEELING
AUTHOR: JUHANI PALLASMMA
In architecture, form can be very interesting in order to express what a building is. Somehow, it does
bring good or bad to the building design. In the passage, Juhanni Pallasmaa emphasized that we
should not always focus on the form as the main design element of the building. User experience
and feelings are more important when using the building compared to the building form.
I strongly agree that architecture is not just about the visual senses, but also the building experience
for the users. If a building is designed based on the form itself, it will affect how people look at it from
the outside. But for the journey of experience in a building, the user can have a deeper sense of
exploration and experience when walking through the building. Surely, everyone might be having
their very own experience, but at least, they won’t just judge a building by its ‘cover’.
The author also mentioned about how a building should evoke feeling, memories and imagination. It
is quite important because, if a building fails to evoke user feelings, then obviously, it already has
failed to represent what it really is and its existence is denied. Architecture might be presented by
film making or images, but the presentation does not really matter as the most important thing is the
experience and feeling. Besides, the author also mentioned that a building design should not just
focus on the physical object, but also the people’s consciousness to the building. This is very true as
elements like cultures, tradition and history might be very important in pursuing and convincing the
people.
As for my own case study in Petaling Street, the building might not very good in form but they exist
with their very own reason. For instance, the five-foot walkway becomes the main place for the
people to hang around in the past and also the present. It can also be the place where the bikes are
placed at, although it is not a very good spot for parking. Besides, the arc of the building allows a
better visual for the user from shop to shop. It provides a clearer view for the user when using the
five-foot walkway. The buildings in Petaling Street are designed in 3 to4 storeys, as the users are
having business at the ground floor and the remaining floors are either become store room or their
own homes.

2. As a conclusion, building form does not decide a building future, and it certainly cannot guarantee
the meaning of a building to be fulfilled. Compared to building forms, the content and experience of
the building is far more important and it can truly bring out the identity of the building.
WORD COUNT 451
Key points (2.5)
Appropriateness of
Terminologies (2.5)
Clarity in Opinions and
Reactions (2.5)
Logical Progression (2.5)
DATE: TOTAL MARK & GRADE
ASSSESSED BY:

3. SYNOPSIS
DESCRIPTION
ASSESSMENT
RUBRIC
Grades Marks Key points (2.5) Appropriateness of
Terminologies (2.5)
Clarity in Opinions
and Reactions
(2.5)
Logical
Progression (2.5)
A 1.8 -
2.5
Evidence of
outstanding
understanding of Key
points through clear
explanation
Appropriate use of
Terminologies In
discussing the Issues/
Concepts/Theories
Outstanding
Clarity in opinions
and reactions -
Supported with
strong Logical
explanation
Outstanding
Articulation of
logical expressions
ending with well-
developed
paragraphs
B 1.5 -
1.79
Evidence of
understanding of Key
points through
reasonable
explanation
Reasonable use of
Terminologies In
discussing the Issues/
Concepts/Theories with
Minor unfamiliarity
Reasonable
clarity in opinions
and reactions -
Supported with
Logical
explanation
Reasonable
Articulation of
logical expressions
ending with well-
developed
paragraphs
C 1.25 -
1.49
Evidence of Some
Understanding of Key
points through
acceptable
explanation
Acceptable use of
Terminologies In
discussing the Issues/
Concepts/Theories with
Noticeable unfamiliarity
Acceptable
Clarity in opinions
and reactions -
Supported with
satisfactory
explanation
Acceptable
Articulation of
logical expressions
ending with some
ambiguous
statements
D 1 -
1.24
Evidence of Some
Understanding of Key
points through not
quite acceptable
explanation
Evidence of
Terminologies however
poorly communicated in
discussing The Issues/
Concepts/Theories With
Weak Clarity in
opinions and
reactions -
Supported with
Lengthy
explanation
Poor Articulation of
logical expressions
ending with
noticeable
ambiguous
statements
F 0 -
0.99
Insufficient Evidence
of Understanding of
Key points through
weak explanation
Insufficient Evidence of
Terminologies in
discussing the Issues/
Concepts/Theories With
Improper
opinions and
reactions. Not
Matching the
Issues/ Concepts/
Theories -
Inadequate
Reasons
Unable to
Articulate / illogical
expressions.
Poorly written
synopsis.