This document summarizes a reaction paper by Nik Afiq Amadi Bin Nik Abdullah about Kenneth Frampton's text "Towards a Critical Regionalism". Frampton discusses critical regionalism and its relationship to universal culture. He also examines the resistance to defining place-forms in the development of modern urban forms. Nik Afiq analyzes Frampton's arguments and believes critical regionalism should consider local context factors like climate and culture while maintaining a critical view. However, critical regionalism faces challenges from clients who don't prioritize these considerations. Overall, Nik Afiq agrees place-forms are now defined by territories controlled by governments, and rapid urban growth has made maintaining city planning forms difficult.

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: NIK AFIQ AMADI BIN NIK ABDULLAH ID No.: 0317749
Lecturer: MR PRINCE FAVIS ISIP Tutorial Time: 1000-1200
Reader/Text Title: TOWARDS A CRITICAL
REGIONALISM
Synopsis No: 5 & 6
Author: KENNETH FRAMPTON
Based on the given textof ‘Towards a critical regionalism’ by Kenneth Frampton, it stated about two
parts which are ‘critical regionalism and world culture’ and ‘the resistance ofplace-form.’ In the beginning, he
argued about critical practice of arriere-garde on discussing the presentarchitecture which he doesn’tseem
to want the arriere-garde movement to falsely discuss on the regionalism.
Besides,Frampton also discussed aboutthe strategical impact of critical regionalism on universal
civilization. Based on my pointof view, critical regionalism should sensitively consider light, climate, tectonic
form and geographical condition in relation with the cultural context on given site. It is important to express
those elements as inspiration in order to enlighten the quality of regional architecture due to lack of sense of
place butby maintaining high level ofcritical self-consciousness, itmay mediate the impact. I believe critical
regionalism is a problematic issue within a modern world of architecture especially in Malaysia. Besides,in
my opinion,as long as it has contextual relation with regionalidentity,regionalismofrestriction can be liberate
if it is applied in the modern tradition.
Next, according to Frampton, urban forms are barely hard to define throughout the developmentof
world today and it becoming theoretical subject to discuss. Rapid modern development that race onto
megapolis has entered into a state of crisis. He highlighted two similar examples ofa statement aboutplace -
form. First by Martin Heidegger’s essay “Building, Dwelling, Thinking”. He stated that a place formed by
existing that is clearly bounded by institutional sense. On the second example by Hannah Arendth, place are
formed by human appearances in particular political power or entities. Those are elements of developing
place-from.
As a reflection from Kenneth Frampton’s essay, the critical regionalism is very hard and challenging
to maintain due to resistance of various experiences that exists in the cultural density which we can clearly
see it today such as, some clients who does notcare about those considerations may become the resistant
when designing. However, Ibelieve itis a progressive approach to design thatseeks to mediate between the
global and the local languages ofarchitecture. It is an architect’s job to consider the needs ofthe public, the
function-form of spaces and contextual relevance when designing.
Last but not least, I agree that today, in terms of place-form, it is defined as an area territory owned
or controlled by a ruler or government. Urban metamorphosis thatformed into megapolis has made itdifficult
to maintain the form of city planning due to challenge on high population density and demand.

2. Word Count: 430 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date 7th
June 2017 Page No. 1