Theories Synopsis

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2019) Name: Chow Wei Qi

ID No.: 0331447

Lecturer/Tutor: Ar. Prince Favis Isip

Tutorial Time: -

Reader/Text Title: “A Global Sense of Place”

Synopsis No: 1A Author: Doreen Massey

In “A Global Sense of Place”, Doreen Massey discuss about the idea of time-space compression and globalization impacting our society in relation to rethinking our sense of place. It enables comprehension of the social trends and modern era technology developments that have occurred in recent years Elements which make up a global sense of place are discussed in depth to gain a better understanding of the notion of a place. Agreeing with Massey, nowadays, everyone can own a global product with a simple click on our digital devices and we will receive it at our doorstep. The physical distance has been significantly compressed by the technology advancements.

Massey offers an insight on the theory of power geometry in time-space compression where the flows and movements vary for different social groups and individuals. This theory covers the different modalities by which people access to the events in terms of position of control and the degree of initiation. For an example, the developed countries are in the position of control in terms of mobility and access, however it weakens the third world countries that belong to the receiving end, thus resulting in a situation of overly inclusion and exclusion.

Massey further argues that the changings of the global society create a sense of insecurity and uncertainty, giving rise to defensive and reactionary responses. Massey then offers insight to rethink our sense of place to be progressive in order to fit in to the global-local times. A progressive sense of place is where nature of interactions changes the spatial and social interaction, indicating that the interactions themselves are definitely not static and motionless. Therefore, a place and a sense of human geographic identity cannot be destroyed as long as social networks persist.

Massey also points out that the spreading and separating of local communities into different places resulting in a place to not have a single unique identity as various cultural group is rooted within, resulting in that place not being distinctive from another. However, I think that places that consist of communities from different cultural group is what makes it unique and distinct to itself. For an example, many restaurants in Malaysia serves Malaysian dishes with strong influence from Malay, Indian, and Chinese cuisines where it embraces differences to form a unique character for the place.

Through exploring Doreen Massey’s analysis, I agree with her as the key elements mentioned above assists me in establishing my understanding of how a global sense of place is attained. In my opinion, we should adapt to the globalised landscapes before tailoring our sense of place for the 21st century. As the society moves on to the 21st century of globalization, there is a new interconnectivity between people and places. With the new phenomenon of time-space compression, it is essential for the society to generate a global sense of local and a global sense of place in becoming part of the globalised society.

Word Count: 487

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2019) Name: Chow Wei Qi

ID No.: 0331447

Lecturer/Tutor: Ar. Prince Favis Isip

Tutorial Time: -

Reader/Text Title: “Learning from Las Vegas: The Forgotten Symbolism of Architectural Form”

Synopsis No: 3A Author: Robert Venturi, et al

In the book ”Learning from Las Vegas”, the authors perceive Las Vegas as a phenomenon of architectural communication .“We look backward at history and tradition to go forward; we can also look downward to go upward”, the authors liken this approach as a reposition itself from its modernist emphasis on space and structure to a postmodern reading of signs and symbols. They also speculate that modern architects abandoned the tradition of symbolism because they pervade our culture and thus are now debased themselves. They highlighted that it is the study of method rather than the study of content.

The authors dominate the argument by giving a statement of ‘signage and communication over space’ as they study and explore the Las Vegas Strip, discovering a wealth of meaning in its bright signage. The authors quoted “Because spatial relationship is made by symbols more than by form, architecture in this landscape become symbol in space rather than form in space”, it describes in the Las Vegas study, the victory of symbolism-space over forms-in-space. The Las Vegas ‘Strip’ is architecture of communication over space and are achieved through style and signs in which are strongly and vibrantly emphasized as it becomes the architecture of landscape. The authors give a vivid example of the ‘Long Island duckling’ where is serves as a sculptural symbol and architectural shelter.

Furthermore, the author argued that Las Vegas is a significant example of architectural persuasion with a combination of forms, styles, both architecture and landscape. Signages in Las Vegas compensate for what the buildings may lack in commercial persuasion as architectural form is not enough to attract attention in a environment of vast spaces and high speed.

I agree with them to a certain in which strip is an extremely functional solution to an environment of high-speed automobiles such as Las Vegas which requires the heighted visibility of signage and rather low-profile buildings. However, in viewing strip as an appealing visual image, this results in exclusion of the factors that has given rise to this environment such as social issues.

In my opinion, ”Learning from Las Vegas” tackles the issue of architecture that are often overlooked and has changed my perception of architecture of it being a bold communication rather than one of subtle expression. Communication through signs and symbols has a significant impact on the representation of a place or building in showing people where the place and architecture is located. There are indeed more to learn from Las Vegas, we have to gain better understanding in order to be able to respond to it adequately. .

Word Count: 430

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303) SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2019) Name: Chow Wei Qi

ID No.: 0331447

Lecturer/Tutor: Ar. Prince Favis Isip

Tutorial Time: -

Reader/Text Title: “The Eyes of the Skin : Architecture and the Senses”

Synopsis No: 2A Author: Juhani Pallasmaa

In his book “The Eyes of the Skin”, Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa highlights the importance of multi-sensory experience in the art of shaping buildings. He expresses his thoughts of human as the centre of experiential world though the notion of body image and body schema. He examines the role of the other senses in authentic architectural experiences, and points the way towards a multi-sensory architecture which facilitates a sense of belonging and integration. I strongly agree on pallasma statement of ‘our bodies and movements are in constant interaction with the environment; the world and the selfinform and redefine each other constantly’. As humans, we seek sensation that shapes our perception of spaces in which it invades a unique experience.

Pallasmaa suggests that sight is our dominant sense along with the classical sense of hearing, touch, taste and smell as we constantly rely on it to study and categorize our surroundings. He perceives architecture as the extension of nature into the man-made realm. It widens our existential experience to a broader horizon consisting of several realms of sensory experiences which interact and fuse into each other, thus acknowledging all senses that completes a space. Pallasma expresses this by giving vivid example - Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Falling Water’. The volumes, temperature, materiality of the house, and even the smell of the forest and the sound of the river in the surrounding enhances the spiritual presence of the building.

Pallasmaa extends his argument in which all senses including vision is the extension of the sense of touch, regarding it as the ‘unconscious of vision’. The sense of touch is the one that actually establishes a connection between our body and the world. It is not just about physically touching an object but about accepting the volume and temperature of space.

Pallasma quoted “Regardless of our prioritization of the eye, visual observation is often confirmed by our touch”. I strongly agree with his argument as vision is not capable of comprehending distance and depth of an object whereas with the cooperation of haptic memory, the sense of touch provides us sensation of the solidity of a three-dimensional shape while experiencing its spatial depth, thus merging together into one coherent experience.

Conclusively, architecture should be a multi-sensory experience to enhance its existential depth as it invades various feelings based on our senses. In my opinion, our perception of spaces is often mediated with senses. By shaping our living environment to meet and greet all of our senses, we feel more alive and connected, leaving great impact on our comfort, safety and peacefulness, thus contributes to the enhancement of our wellbeing. .

Word Count: 435

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