urban theories
ARC2234: Asian Architecture
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Project 1: Case study paper
The case study paper is a integrated project with Studio 4. Site visit to Belum Rainforest Resort has been conducted, issues and research topic are to be identified to further explore in sustainability design in Asia.
The case study paper look into the poetic qualities and sustainability of Belum Rainforest Resort Deluxe Suite. Japanese minimalism spatial layout and low embodied energy materials are of the ways to approach both the poetic qualities and sustainability.
Hence, the title of the case study paper is:
ACHIEVING POETICS QUALITIES AND SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH JAPANESE MINIMALISM SPATIAL LAYOUT AND LOW EMBODIED ENERGY MATERIALS
The building has adopted Japanese Zen spatial layout and low embodied energy materials as a way to achieve sustainability. The low embodied energy materials include concrete and timber. By employing these features,certain poetic qualities can be attained.
Project 2: Case Study- An Asian street
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For Project 2, a historical street has been chosen as our case study. That is Jonker Street that located in Melaka.
A photo book is produced and has showcased the street’s characteristic in few aspects:
urban experiences, programme, language/sign and container of memory.
The street’s essence as a historical street and its social lifestyle, perceptions are conveyed through visuals,
Besides photo book, a map of the street has been produced manually by using the theme : Body,mind,heart and soul. Landmarks and cultural hotspots have been labelled and annotated as well.
Body : San Shu Gong Food is essential for the well being of body.
Mind: As food for mind, the library ‘Jin Xin Shang Ren’ accommodate social’s needs for knowledge and leisure interest.
Heart: There are a lot of clans along the streets. It is a crucial part of the streets as it unites the people since then.
Soul: There are temples along the street which serve for religious purpose, enlightening the soul of the community.
ARC2224: Theories of Architecture & Urbanism
Project: Theorizing Architecture
This project attempts to convey an understanding of architect’s architectural theory through a direct observation and analysis of his/her buildings. Using architecture as primary text, this project claims that the world of form is not arbitrary but displays an internal logic that has the capacity to convey meaning. Analytical illustrations are used extensively to reveal the conceptual and experiential order of the architecture.It will support students’ learning since doing architecture can be developed by studying the work of others.
Part I: Analyzing Self
Part 1 of the project is to provide information on the architect in order to comprehend personal attributes that contribute to the construction of architectural theory. This is taking account the fact that “the way in which people organize their place is related to their beliefs and their aspirations, their world view.”(Unwin, 2002)
Requirement on architect: Asian, contemporary and practice in Asia.
The architect interviewed is Ar.Emmanuel Canlas.
Me and my peers working on 3 different parts for the analysis, which is Childhood, Education and Working experiences respectively. The part I’m working on is the architect’s childhood.
Below is the ‘self analyze diagram’ which briefly describe the architect and influences from his childhood, education and working experiences:
Part II: Analyzing and theorizing architecture
Part 2 of the project emphasizes architecture is like language with vocabulary, grammatical structure; both physical and intellectual. Through certain arrangement, it carries messages and communicates meanings. Nevertheless, in order to understand architecture, one must be aware of the conditions within which they are employed.
The building from Ar.Emmanuel Canlas chosen for analysis is Queensbay Mall, Penang. It is discussed from 3 aspects: Geography (Site Typology), Socio-Culture and Critical regionalism
Synopsis: Interpreting Architecture
This synopsis attempts to interpret architecture according to established architectural theory and
conditions within which architecture is done.
Click to view the articles/synopsis:
Synopsis 1: An Architecture of Seven Senses by Juhani Pallasmaa
Case study building: Jewish Museum by Daniel Liebeskind
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Synopsis 2: Semiology and Architecture by Charles Jencks
Case study building: L’Hemispheric by Santiago Calatrava
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Synopsis 3: Semiology and Urban by Roland Barthes
Case study building: Eiffel tower by Stephen Sauvestre
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Synopsis 4: Towards a Critical Regionalism by Kenneth Frampton
Case study building: Point 92 by ZLG Design
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ARC3113: Tales of Three Cities
Project 1: Ideas and Theories in Urbanism
In the first Assignment the students are to acquire prior knowledge, from the literature on urbanism, before the case study visit. The theme of the Semester is ‘Island Cities’ and the course work focuses on Manhattan, Hong Kong and Singapore as the case study cities. The students are to explore the various ideas/theories/social situations prevailed in the historical and contemporary times. Later in the Semester, the students are to explore the case study towns through visits.
The site chosen is High Line from New York.
Project 2A: Journal on Urban Sketches & Photographs
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This Assignment relates to the Assignment 1 in the way that the students are expected to document the city spaces. This is a location based study to establish the relationships and roles of the three urban design elements, especially focusing on the urban structuring principles.
Students are expected to capture interesting and meaningful photographs related to tangible or spatial (nodes etc.) intangible or social (urban life) contexts of these locations. It is important that the sketches/images are supported by one or more sentences on explaining why you felt that space is ‘interesting and meaningful’. A sense of urban-design vocabulary is expected out of the Assignment.
Project 2B: Mapping the Townscape
The students are required to document the spatial form of the city to note the key spatial experience that is driven by the urban form and content. The objectives are:
a) to characterize the urban forms through Serial Vision;
b) to establish the relationships and roles of the three urban design elements and
c) to identify DISTINCTIVE aspects or patterns in in their layout.
The students will be given with basic urban study techniques such as figure/ground, serial vision, collage city, space syntax, etc. Therefore the students are required to analyze and apply those techniques in order to evaluate the spatial (tangible) and/or social (intangible) patterns in the city.
The study areas for the Assignment are the historic cores of Singapore. The aim is to coin the theory for the city.