The document summarizes a reaction paper by a student about the reading "Learning from Las Vegas" by Robert Venturi. The student discusses two key points from the reading - that modern architects have abandoned traditional iconography, and that symbolic signage is important for communication and wayfinding. Venturi believes representational architecture may not effectively communicate to general audiences. The student concludes that they have gained perspective in considering architecture from an amateur view and how literal or symbolic elements can enhance usability.

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (AUGUST 2018)
Name: TAN YANG ID No.: 0328025
Lecturer: MR PRINCE Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: A SIGNIFICANCE OF A&P
PARKING LOTS OR LEARNING FROM LAS VEGAS
Synopsis No:2A
Author: Robert Venturi
“Architects have preferred to change the existing environment rather than enhance what is there” The authors
begin by criticizing modern architects who has abandoned the traditional iconology and too much into the
expressionistic use of space and light doesn’t communicate with people effectively.
The Las Vegas Commercial Strip documented an architecture of communication over space. The author
believes that communication of representational architecture (architecture with expressionistic and abstract form)
is not appropriate as they are normally genuine internal representations (1). For example, Jewish Museum Berlin
is a memorial designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, which is renowned for its fragmented sculptural form
representing the pains and suffers of the Jews during the Holocaust. In the perspective of amateurs in arts or
architecture, they won’t get the meaning at the first sight or even understand it thoroughly.
Symbol in space before form in space was stated that sign in architectural style is anti-spatial, signs could also
give a means of orientation. Cities communicate messages with functional, symbolic and persuasive to people
as they move about. Combinations between signs and buildings, between form and meaning, between driver
and roadside are deeply relevant not only to architecture, also the urban environment. According to Kevin
Lynch’s 5 elements of city (path, nodes, landmarks, edges and districts), I believe those signboard act as a
landmark or an important way-finding element for guiding people to their desired destination significantly. In
Malaysia’s North-South Expressway, we often find large signage board with symbols of the important functions
along the journey (remaining distance to destinations, petrol station, restroom and etc.), that allow the driver to
plan its journey in advance despite of travelling in high speed.
In conclusion, the author’s point gave me another insight of looking at architecture, which I find the needs to train
myself to look at it in amateur’s perspective, which enhance the workability of design on wider range of users.
As an architecture student, we are taught not to be “literal” in doing design. But in this case, literal things work
better, which raised up a question in my head, why we still need to design architecture in such representational
or abstract manner while signboards can immediately deliver the meaning or function of the building to its user?
Word Count: 373 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.