Theories of Architecture & Urbanism

6 APRIL 2015 Synopsis No 1: URBANISM Name: 1. Liew Hui En 2. Teh Kah Khen 3. Wong Yoke Lin 4. Wong Zi Xiu Text: Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space Author: Jan Gehl Year Written: 1986 Purpose of the theory (Please tick X; you may tick more than one box) Please complete the following: X X X

Identifying an issue or problem within the contemporary context Analyzing an architecture to identify a problem or solve a problem Solving an issue in a broader context outside of architecture: presenting a theory/manifesto Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a design method Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a theory Others:

What are the issues addressed?

Relationship between physical environment and social activities (surrounding, mass media, personal preferences, mood, design of the city)

What are the design methods/strategy/t heories proposed?

To provide optimum exterior conditions so that social activities can happen Providing adequate spaces between buildings to encourage activities To stimulate social activities through planning of spaces

Relate the text to architectural/urban forms by illustrating one key image.

Justify the selection.

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Spaces between buildings determine the activities happening around it

Issue • Relationship between physical environment and social activities

Design methods/strategy/theories To provide optimum exterior conditions so that social activities can happen • Providing adequate spaces between buildings to encourage activities • To stimulate social activities through planning of spaces

Example

• Spaces between buildings determine the activities happening around it

20 APRIL 2015 Synopsis No 2: MODERNISM Name: 1.Liew Hui En 2. Teh Kah Khen 3. Wong Yoke LIn 4. Wong Zi Xiu Text: In The Cause of Architecture Author: Frank Lloyd Wright Year Written: 1908 Purpose of the theory (Please tick X; you may tick more than one box) Please complete the following:

X

X

Identifying an issue or problem within the contemporary context Analyzing an architecture to identify a problem or solve a problem Solving an issue in a broader context outside of architecture: presenting a theory/manifesto Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a design method Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a theory Others:

What are the issues addressed?

What are the design methods/strategy/t heories proposed?

Relate the text to architectural/urban forms by illustrating one key image.

Justify the selection.

Architecture as how it should be.

Nowadays architecture is but a placement of a building, succumbing to the conformity of conventional designs, devoid of vital significance and disregarding its relationship with its surroundings.

1.

Simplicity & repose are qualities that measure the true value of any work of art.

2.

There should be variations of styles as every man has his own individuality. (rather than conformity) 3.

A building should harmonize with its surroundings.

Colour schemes should be referenced from the surroundings. (more wholesome & better adapted) Leave the nature of materials untouched.

SHELL, JAPAN. Floor, wall and roof all as one unit.

Being in sync with nature. (contextual design) Materials in natural form that changes and matures through time.

ISSUE • Architecture as how it should be.

DESIGN METHODS/ STRATEGY/ THEORIES PROPOSED

• Simplicity and repose are qualities that measure the true value of any work of art.

• There should be variations of styles as every man has his own individuality.

• Building should harmonize with its surroundings.

Floor, wall and roof all as one unit.

Being in sync with nature not about yielding to nature and it’s about co-existence.

Material in natural form.

SHELL, JAPAN

Ignoring Nature No More: The Case for Compassionate Conservation

20 APRIL 2015 Synopsis No 3 Name: 1.Liew Hui En 2. Teh Kah Khen 3. Wong Yoke LIn 4. Wong Zi Xiu Text: Learning from las vegas: THE FORGOTTEN SYMBOLISM OF ARCHITECTURAL FORM Author: Robert venturi Year Written: 1977 Purpose of the theory (Please tick X; you may tick more than one box) Please complete the following:

X X

Identifying an issue or problem within the contemporary context Analyzing an architecture to identify a problem or solve a problem Solving an issue in a broader context outside of architecture: presenting a theory/manifesto Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a design method Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a theory Others:

What are the issues addressed?

-

Integrating relevant symbolism into present architecture.

(Sign as architecture, architecture as sign)

What are the design methods/strategy/t heories proposed?

-

Not referencing vernacular completely into present architecture.

Responds to the flavour and values of people and less immodest erections of "heroic," self-aggrandizing monuments.

Duck is an expression of ‘Heroic’, symbolically implicit, connotative and abstract input.

Decorated shed (ugly and ordinary) humble form for architects, it enriched with layers of meaning.

Implied architecture is dry, irresponsible and irrelevant; architecture should embrace iconography (representation) and mass media in a world of modern commercialism.

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-

Relate the text to architectural/urban forms by illustrating one key image.

Justify the selection.

Bukit Bintang compared to Las Vegas.

Simone Handbag Museum- As the heroic symbol.

-House all kinds of purses and handbags made from around the world Bukit Bintang commercial zone- Decorated shed enriched with layers of meaning -Bilboards and advertisement boards gives more information and meaning to the people.

Integrating relevant symbolism into present architecture.

(Sign as architecture, architecture as sign)

-Not referencing vernacular completely into present architecture.

-Responds to the flavour and values of people and less immodest erections of "heroic," self-aggrandizing monuments.

-Duck is an expression of ‘Heroic’, symbolically implicit, connotative and abstract input.

-Decorated shed (ugly and ordinary) humble form for architects, it enriched with layers of meaning.

-Implied architecture is dry, irresponsible and irrelevant; architecture should embrace iconography (representation) and mass media in a world of modern commercialism.

Bukit Bintang compared to Las vegas.

Commercial zone- Decorated shed enriched with layers of meaning Simone Handbag Museum- As the heroic symbol.

11 MAY 2015 Synopsis No 4: MODERNISM Name: 1. Liew Hui En 2. Teh Kah Khen 3. Wong Yoke LIn 4. Wong Zi Xiu Text: Semiology and Architecture Author: Charles Jencks Year Written: 1969 Purpose of the theory (Please tick X; you may tick more than one box) Please complete the following:

X X

Identifying an issue or problem within the contemporary context Analyzing an architecture to identify a problem or solve a problem Solving an issue in a broader context outside of architecture: presenting a theory/manifesto Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a design method Solving an issue within the context of architecture: presenting a theory Others:

What are the issues addressed?

Ambiguity of interpretation (One’s perception on a particular idea could be different than another)

What are the design methods/strategy/t heories proposed?

Accepting multivalence- Form invented, meaning generated (Embracing different point of views)

Relate the text to architectural/urban forms by illustrating one key image.

Notre- Dame- Du- Haut by Le Corbusier

Justify the selection.

-May be understood in the sense of denotation: praying hands, a ship, a duck, a head- covering of a cleric and two brothers embracing each other -The chapel does not admit the interpretations but as long as the intention is there; the chapel is a chapel.

-Idea of having a clear and simple form that fulfills the functional requirements of a chapel.

ISSUE :

Ambiguity of Interpretation one’s perception on a particular idea could be different than another

SOLUTION :

Accepting Multivalence “form invented, meaning generated�; embracing different point of views

EXAMPLE : NOTRE-DAME-DU-HAUT by Le Corbusier •

may be understood in the sense of denotation: praying hands, a ship, a duck, a head-covering of a cleric and two brothers embracing each other

•

the chapel does not admit the interpretations but as long as the intention is there; the chapel is a chapel.

IDEA OF HAVING A CLEAR & SIMPLE FORM THAT FULFILLS THE FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF A CHAPEL

CONCLUSION : SO WHAT COLOR IS IT ?