Research Topic Proposal on Modernity in Asian Architecture

Asian Architecture (ARC60403) Project 1: Research in Asian Architecture Topic & Issue Proposal (10%) Due Date: 9 Oct 2018 Group Members: 1.

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Alexander Jose-Cheah Chan Jia Chin Charlotte Chin Ya-Le Lin Shan En Natalie Chen KheMin Nicole Tan Tze Qi Woon Siu Zhi

Assessed by: Koh Jing Hao 0326803 0326560 0326940 0331085 0327110 0330706 0331301

Research Title: Growing Architecture: Modular and Adaptable Systems of Vernacular Architecture as a Potential Solution to the Affordability of Urban Housing Issues/ Problem Statement: The need of a process-based architecture rather than a finished article, a set of possibilities that puts the product aspect in the hands of its users with consideration of the time factor and the fact that life is enacted in dynamic processes needs incorporating into the architectural design.

The current urban housing issue portrait is under immense strain. There are also issues on environmental, social and financial sustainability. Due to the massive gap of supply and demand, urban housing prices to soar beyond the pockets of the people. This causes living spaces to be smaller, lowering the quality of life in urban areas while social and environmental issues are being alienated.

Research Questions: 1. What is the definition of modular systems and adaptable systems respectively in architecture?

2. Why free plan design in vernacular architecture is essential to maximizing the effectiveness of urban housing spaces?

3. How can interlocking structural components contribute in expansion of urban housing in terms of space or units?

4. How can modularity lead to cheaper construction materials, time and labor costs?

5. What building frameworks in vernacular architecture contribute to a more standardized thus more efficient construction?

Summary of Research: This research is to explore and investigate the potential of vernacular architecture construction knowledge and techniques in modular and adaptable systems onto alleviating current urban housing issues. From various reports, statistics and data, affordability of housing is the most pressing matter of modern urban housing. One of the factors aggravating this issue is the lack of supply and increasing demand of urban housing. Another reason is that developers are more focused on highend housing instead of low-cost housing which are needed the most.

Many different types of vernacular architecture are taken as references to discuss the potential methods in applying these modular and adaptable systems to solve the issue of urban housing affordability.

Asian vernacular architecture is designed with flexibility with the future in mind. Characteristics discussed in this research paper are free plan design, interlocking structural components, modularity and building frameworks. Modularity and building frameworks can standardize the process of construction, utilizing prefabrication to reduce the cost and construction time. Besides that, free plan design and interlocking structural components allows urban housing units act as a collective, enabling easier modification or extension thus able to cater for various parties. These knowledge on modular and adaptable systems in vernacular architecture can be practiced and implemented into the highly constrained urban fabric, using the lessons of the past for the present and future.

Concept Mapping

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Ara, D. & Rashid, M. (2016). ‘Between the built and the unbuilt in vernacular studies: the architecture of the Mru of the Chittagong Hills’, The Journal Of Architecture, 21(1), 1-23. doi: 10.1080/13602365.2015.1137620 Hamid, J. (2017). Housing: (un)affordability is key issue. New Straits Times. Retrieved September 19, 2018, from https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2017/11/307562/housing-unaffordability-key-issue Koon Chong, P. (2017). Here's Why Malaysians Can't Afford a House. Bloomberg. Retrieved September 23, 2018, from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-10/here-s-why-you-can-t-afford-a-house-central-bank-tells-malaysia Rashid, M. & Ara, D. R. (2015). ‘Modernity in tradition: Reflections on building design and technology in the Asian vernacular’, Frontiers of Architectural Research, 4(1), 46-55. doi:10.1016/j.foar.2014.11.001 Salfarina, A.G., Nor Malina M. & Azrina, H. (2011). ‘Trends, Problems and Needs of Urban Housing in Malaysia’, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, Vol:5, No:2, pp.227-231.

Yusof, A. M., Chai, C. S. & Johan, J. (2015). Housing Affordability Among Potential Buyers in the City of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate, 547-555. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-46994-1_45