Synopsis

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2015) [5 MARKS]
NAME: CARMEN CHEE CHA YI ID: 0313893
LECTURER: MS. IDA TUTORIAL TIME: 4PM - 6PM
SYNOPSIS NO: 1 READER TITLE:DEATH AND LIFE OF A GREAT AMERICAN CITIES
AUTHOR: JANE JACOBS
"The Death and Life of a Great American Cities' (1961) by Jane Jacobs offered a different way of
thinking about cities. What stood out to me was Part 1, Chapter 5 'The Uses of Neighbourhood Park"
which discusses about parks in the city often end up being vacant, then eventually crime-ridden
community liabilities. Jacob's main argument is that an empty park is both boring and dangerous,
people will further shy away from it once a park becomes either one of those things.
She highlights that surroundings of the park act more on the park itself instead of acting more on
their surroundings. If a neighbourhood is lively and active, its park will likely be the same and vice
versa. Most specifically, a successful park needs continual and diverse use, which should focus on
all users who uses the park consistently throughout the day.
Jacobs argues that a good park should have these characteristics, for instance, it cannot be too
common within a neighbourhood, it needs "intricacy", it also needs a centre which should act as the
climax of the park experience, how sun plays a huge role in a good park and it should have diverse
types of surrounding buildings.
I think the last point if perhaps most pivotal. In this chapter, Jacobs looked into different parks and
she highlighted that a successful park is surrounded with diverse type of buildings. This resulted in
different kind of people are brought into proximity to the park and ended up constantly using it for
different purposes like relaxing, eat, courting, reading, etc.
Although we don't need Jacobs to tell us that empty parks are a waste of resources but her
observations certainly helps use to see one of the significant ways of improving a park is increase
density and mixed use zoning near the parks.
WORD COUNT: 302 DATE: 11 April 2016 MARK: GRADE:
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SYNOPSIS NO: 2 READER TITLE: SEMIOTICS AND ARCHITECTURE
AUTHOR: DIANA ARGREST AND MARIO GANDELSONAS
The article 'Semiotics and Architecture' regarding Ideological Consumption or Theoretical Work by
Diana Argrest and Mario Gandelsonas is concerned with the theory of architecture and design in a
strict manner, as opposed to the adaptive theory, known as 'ideology'.
Theory of architecture and design allows architecture to adapt to the needs of western social
formations and connecting the overall structures of the society and its architecture. Whereas
idealogy can be seen as a certain set of representation and beliefs like political, aesthetic and
religious beliefs of men in relation to nature and society. Thus, Diana Agrest and Mario Gandelsonas
proposed a theory, called theory of architecture as an opposition to ideology as ideology only
provides a certain knowledge.
Architectural theory can be defined as a process where the production of knowledge is built upon a
dialectical enviroment relationship with architectural ideology. This dialect differentiates theory from
ideology where ideology defends a type of knowledge and theory explains the reality. The
relationship between theory and ideology are often viewed as a continuous struggle.
I agree that if semiotics is to become an important tool for the development of architectural theory, it
will then be important to clarify the distinction between the notion of communication and the notion of
signification. The notion of communication indicates the function and use of a system wheareas the
notion of signification refers to the internal relation within systems. In addition, communication is
often concerned with the use and effect of sign whilst signification is regarded with the nature of
signs and the rules governing them. This difference implies that since signification depends on the
specific nature of the different system of signs, it has to be redefined for each different semiotic
system according to the way its internal structure works and according to what makes each internal
structure different.
WORD COUNT: 302 DATE: 25 April 2016 MARK: GRADE:
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SYNOPSIS NO: 3 READER TITLE: THE GEOMETRY OF FEELING
AUTHOR: JUHANI PALLASMAA
The article 'The Geometry of Feeling' regarding the perspective on the phenomenology of
architecture by Juhani Pallasmaa is concerned with the relationship between architectural form and
how architectecture is experienced.
In the present time, we often make the mistake of thinking a building as a formal composition, and no
longer understanding the experience that lies behind this composition. Juhani questions if forms are
the real basic elements of architecture, that if building elements such as windows, walls and doors
are the real units of architectural effect? She argues that it is time we should consider if forms or
geometry in general can give rise to architectural feeling.
I agree with Juhani Pallasmaa which she stated that architecture cannot be a mere play with form.
This view is supported with the fact that architecture is tied to its physical purpose and many other
external conditions. For example, if a building does not provide the basic needs of a man, then how
is it going to influence the emotional feelings of a man through the experiences provided by a
building?
Architecture is a direct expression of human presence in this world. It projects primary feelings in us
produced by architecture. For instance, experiences like stepping into a house, entering through the
door, crossing the boundary between exterior and interior, also having a roof over your head, giving
a sense of being sheltered and shaded. A strong architectural experience often produces a sense of
loneliness and silence regardless of the amount of people or noise present in the building. It is as if it
is experiencing art where it creates a private dialogue between the building and the user which
excludes all the other interaction.
Furthermore, architecture exists in another reality from our everyday life and pursuits. The fact that
we could just be in an abandoned house and project ourselves to share the fate of their owners. It
allows our imagination to wander away. All in all, the quality of architecture isn't based on the sense
of reality the building expresses but more on the question if it is capable to awake our imagination
instead.
WORD COUNT: 353 DATE: 30 May 2016 MARK: GRADE:
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SYNOPSIS NO: 4 READER TITLE: TOWARDS A CRITICAL REGIONALISM
AUTHOR: KENNETH FRAMPTON
Frampton made a point in his article 'Towards a Critical Regionalism', saying that
architects should understand and analyse the local character of the place and interpret it in
a contemporary term, rather than adapting its traditions directly. He started the article with
a short essay by Paul Ricoeur, referring that human culture's globalization caused loss of
traditional cultures for defining space. This issue is getting more prominent in developing
countries. He mentioned that its a fact that respective cultures cannot sustain and absorb
the shock of modern civilization. The essay summed up with a proposition, whereby
advised architects should put more focus on social and cultural values, at the same time
protect it's meaning from the past and combine it with futuristic qualities.
According to Frampton, in point 5, "Culture Vs. Nature: Topography, Context, Climate,
Light & Tectonic Form." he highlights that it is necessary to have these two elements,
culture and nature to create an architectural structure that associates local culture and
qualities of the landscape. In order to achieve that, these two elements should be present
altogether to achieve its connection with the concept, rather than just creating a free
standing object. However, ecology, climate and symbolic aspect of the place must be taken
into consideration to create the 'place-form' balance between nature and culture.
On the other hand, Frampton explains in point 6, " The Visual Vs. The Tactile', that while
designing, architects should taken into account of its visual and senses' experiences. The
formation between all the senses and visuals will allow the architecture to be much unique
on its own. Usage of materials which triggers all senses and allow various emotions are
supported by this concept.
Overall, the article 'Towards a Critical Regionalism' by Frampton, allows me to gain a new
theoretical perspective of the actual elements of architecture, for instance topography,
light, climate etc. I also agree with Frampton that regional culture should not be taken for
granted as automaticall imposed by place, but rather cultivated through the built
environment.
WORD COUNT: 336 DATE: 13 JUNE 2016 MARK: GRADE:
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