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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (August 2017)
Name: Ong Shi Hui ID No.: 0320303
Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Tutorial Time: 11-12pm
Reader/Text Title: The Metropolis and Mental
Life
Synopsis No: 1- Set A
Author: Georg Simmel
“The Metropolis and Mental Life” by Georg Simmel explains aboutthe characteristic, habit and
behaviour ofpeople who adapting themselves in metropolis. The deeper problems ofmodern life flow from
the attempt of individual to maintain the independence and individuality ofhis existence againstthe
sovereign powers ofsociety, againstthe weightofthe historical heritage and the external culture and
technique oflife.
In Simmel’s pointofview, intellectualistic quality is a protection ofthe inner life against the
domination ofthe metropolis which affect by money economy. Money is concerned only with what is
common to all. We are just assuming a people’s knowledgeable and success by looking atthe money they
earn. Owing to people is busying on their works to earn more money for a better life, so they did notspend
their time to interact with others. Moreover, the author states that the technique of metropolitan life in
general is organized and coordinated in the mostpunctual way into a firmly fixed framework oftimes. I
agree that lack ofpunctuality in promise and performance would create a lotoftrouble to ourselves and
others. For instance, if we are late to interview or meeting, we mightlostthis opportunity or gives a bad
impression to others. In this hustle and bustle of city, people would notwaste their times to give another
chance to stranger who is not punctual. The author points out blase attitude which is adapting themselves to
the contextand the form of metropolitan life by renouncing the response to them. People tends to be more
conservative to adaptthemselves to the same rhythm ofcity. Thus, the people has loss their individual
identity. I agree with the author’s pointbecause we are facing to innumerous ofpeople in a day, we are not
able to rest more on feeling and emotional relationships.
In conclusion, people has to walks on eggs no matter in any aspects, such as attitude, behavior and
communication. The essentially intellectualistic character of the mental life of metropolis becomes intelligible
after understanding how the city works. Although I agree with the author’s points ofview, butI hope to
enhance the relationship between surrounding people. In my opinion, Ibelieve thatpositive energy can be
spread by one another, so we can enhance the problem ofmodern life by treating everyone sincerely and
be myself.
Word Count: 398 words Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.

Reader/Text Title: In Intentions in Architecture Synopsis No: 2- Set A
Author: Christian Norberg-Schulz
"In Intentions in Architecture" by Christian Norberg-Schulz is to show his reaction against
modernism. Modernism is an astonishing diversity as no one has make a huge changes in the past.
Norberg-Schulz explains the revision ofthe aesthetic dimension ofarchitecture and how the author perceive
on the formation ofmodernism.
Norberg-Schulz has a disagreementwith the modern architecture because ithas an intention but
not worked-outmethod based on a clear analysis offunctional, sociological and cultural problem. The
author believes thatarchitecture must considers the building contextand its function instead of highly
attractive structure because itcan be placed in anywhere without considering the context. The author points
out that the study of history is a way of illustrating the presentthat contribute to the solution of the problems
instead of referring to the past. I agree with his pointofview, history makes us aware of that fact that we
must be open to anything and everything that might await us. Thus, we can interpret the past in order to
better understand the present. The author explains modern forms are experiments and fightagainst
borrowed motives.Itdoes nothas a formal language comparing to the previous architecture. Iagree that
because modern movementunderstands that historical continuity does notmean borrowed motives and
ideals, buthuman values which have to be conquered in always new ways. For instance, modernism has
made the mostcomplete break with the pastsuch as rejecting ornament, but concurrent search for the new
forms.
In conclusion, architecture is a chronology ofstyles which changes over time reflecting changing
fashions, beliefs and religions, or the emergence ofnew ideas, technology,or materials which make new
styles possible. Modern architecture is a good example in breaking the form and creating for better
function.

Reader/Text Title: Space, Place, Memory and
Imagination: The Temporal Dimension of
Existential Space
Author: Juhani Pallasmaa
“Space, Place, Memory and Imagination: The Temporal Dimension ofExistential Space” by Juhani
Pallasmaa explains memory ofindividual is able to stimulate in a few ways such as architecture and
memory, spatial and situational ofmemory and the embodied memory. Pallasmaa sees human is not only
existin a spatial and material reality, but also inhabit cultural, mental and temporal realities.
Pallasmaa describes thatmemory is the ground of self-identity; we are what we remember. In his
pointof view, actual architectural structures only remembered architectural images and metaphors serve as
significant memory device. As a studentwho leaving hometown, Kedah,Iwill evoke the particular ofmemory
when back to our house such as the wall is plotted with our height’s measurements. Although there are just
a few line on the wall, but we will reminisce the feeling and situation ofthe past. Moreover, the author points
out the memories are attached to places and events. The significance ofobjects in our processes of
remembering is the main reason why we like to collectfamiliar or peculiar objects around us. The familiarity
or peculiarity of the objectwill affect the impressive ofthe events. We mightremember the awkward
situation instead ofthe daily routine. One ofhis pointis remembering is notonly a mental event; itis also an
act of embodimentand projection. Also, memories are stored in our skeletons, muscles and skin. For
instance, we automatically turn on the light in room when waking up in the dark room.
In conclusion, Iam strongly agreed with Pallasmaa’s points. Memory and architecture is related to
one another that we can use the empathy with imagery to recall particulars of place. Material used is one of
the way to create the memories and architectural experiences. For instance, Potato Head Beach Club in
Bali is a building that covered with old louvered window, by experiencing and looking atthe material, it can
evoke our old home’s memory.For memory, architecture symbolizes a pointofreference in times while in
architecture, memory reveals the essence ofthe space and human activities.

Reader/Text Title: Towards a Critical
Regionalism: Six Points for an Architecture of
Resistance
Author: Kenneth Frampton
“Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six Points for an Architecture ofResistance” by Kenneth Frampton
describes the obstruction ofevolution in modern architecture such as culture and civilization, the rise and
fall of the avant-garde and critical regionalism and world culture. The phenomenon ofuniversalization during
modernism constitutes a sortof annihilation toward cultures.
The author points out the advance oftechnology has damaged the uniqueness ofthe local culture.
The technology makes the developmentofcity even faster such as the high rise and the serpentine
freeway. Owing to the mass production ofbuilding structure, the design ofthe building is restricted. Iagree
that universality in architecture will become meaningless because culture is one ofthe distinguishing and
identifying elements ofa society. Otherwise, the buildings will look alike in everyplace.The application of
modern technologies has created independentand discrete spatial elements and qualities. The author
found that the emergency ofthe avant-garde is affected the design ofarchitecture. The style ofarchitecture
focuses on function follow form, so the architecture is simple and lack ofthe contextual response to the site.
However, architecture should be fit into the local culture and people. In his pointofview, architecture can
only to be sustained today as a critical practice ifit assumes an arriere-garde position. National Mosque is
one ofthe modern architecture that applying the Islamic culture of Malaysia. For instance, this building is
applied the umbrella roofto symbolize under protection ofAllah, butyetit can simplistic and clarity the form
of architecture to fit into modern architecture.
In conclusion, modern developmenthas loss the culture identity in everywhere due to ignore the
site contextof the place. “Arriere-garde” is one ofway to recreate the uniqueness ofthe site. I strongly
agree that every architecture no matter in which era, it must be consider the culture and site context.

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