THE DIALOGUE OF FOOD ATLAS IN RETROSPECTIVE SETTINGS. MICHELLE LEE MING JANN
AR 22900 MASTERS THESIS
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE MArch ADVANCED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AUGUST 2016.
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 14,557 WORDS
CONTENT
09 PREFACE 11 INTRODUCTION 12-13 ABSTRACT 14-15 FOOD ATLAS CONTINENTS: 16-17 AMERICA 18-21 UNITED STATES American Diner. 22-25 SOUTH AMERICA Ancient Inca. 26-27 UNITED KINGDOM & EUROPE 28-33 UNITED KINGDOM Pub Crawl. 34-39 PORTUGAL Sardine Festival. 40-43 ITALY Venetian Romance. 44-47 FRANCE Parisian Streets. 48-49 MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA 50-55 SAUDI ARABIA Bedouin Nomads. 56-61 QATAR Souq Waqif. 62-67 GHANA Makola Market.
68-69 INDIA, CENTRAL & SOUTH EAST ASIA 70-73 INDIA Passage Through India. 74-77 TAIWAN Jiu Fen. 78-81 CHINA Lunar New Year. 82-85 KOREA Royal Court Cuisine. 86-89 JAPAN Chashitsu. 90-97 MALAYSIA Georgetown Heritage. 98-101 THAILAND Floating Market. 102-103 OCEANIA 104-107 NEW ZEALAND Maori.
108-109 CONCLUSION 110-117 OUTCOME OF ANALYSIS 118-121 BIBLIOGRAPHY
PREFACE
The intention of this thesis is to produce an output of socio-cultural phenomena in the built environment through food as its catalyst. The narration of this thesis is set to engage its readers through the appeal of architectural sketches that were curated by the author to deliver the story of relevant events of a particular place. The aim is to visually communicate informative findings through an array of hand-sketched drawings, with an objective to illustrate architecture, people and food in place. The dialogue of food atlas in retrospective settings simply is the reinterpretation of evidence through precedents that consist the main body of chapters in a graphical literature format. Or in other words, an encyclopedia of food and architecture through culture. This illustrated piece of work is inspired by the author’s interest in travel, food, history, arts in culture and architecture. Supported by factual information and concluded based on the author’s critical analysis in regards to the compiled chapters as a whole.
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INTRODUCTION
UNDERGRADUATE DISSERTATION: FOOD, ARCHITECTURE & US.
Based on the documented research and analysis prior to this proposal, the journey of this thesis began from an environmental concern in food production, its distribution system, food mile and carbon footprint in determining our built environment and its impact on its natural surroundings. POSTGRADUATE THESIS: SECONDHAND: THE CITY’S ANTIDOTE FOR FOOD SURPLUS.
Subsequently, the thesis was explored in depth through the notion of dealing with food surplus that would otherwise go to waste. The proposal was to reinterpret possibilities of handling over produced food in an urban context of our 21st century lifestyle patterns. One of the main mantras in this topic of study was to “THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL”, in approach to understanding how individual efforts are signified on a global scale when demanding for local sovereignty. MASTERS THESIS: THE DIALOGUE OF FOOD ATLAS IN RETROSPECTIVE SETTINGS.
In contrary, the aim is to reverse this idea and instead to: “THINK LOCALLY, ACT GLOBALLY” in which identifying and exploring retrospective settings through an atlas of diverse cultures, people in places through the perspective of food. Historical evidence of rituals throughout the course of time and the influence of cultural heritage not only through festive events celebrations but also by the many important contributions in architecture. Area of exploration includes regions on maps, districts, towns, residential, commercial, institutional, public and private spaces, religious compounds, urban streets, materiality and detailed ornamentation in buildings and its environment. As a result of this analysis is summarized in the concluding chapters according to outcomes that includes socio-cultural phenomena, place-making criteria, eco-tourism, and the social influence of ads and media, amongst many others.
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ABSTRACT The principle of analysis sets to begin on a macro overview in identifying the areas of study on a world atlas. Micro details further analyzed within the chapters discussing specific topics- countries, regions, towns etc. This thesis intends to cover the 5 continents of the world, each with its own selected ethnical culture of specific settings to study. In short, the narration sets globally, with its characters continentally, detailed regionally and most likely to end locally. Through the analogy of a typical scientific experiment based on the aforementioned aim, geographical landscape is seen as the manipulated factor, while socio-cultural behaviours are the respondents to the constant catalytic presence of food; the narration takes place on a macro overlook supported by microelements of different people with different cultures at different places. By the process of identifying settings in result of food production and distribution, such as rice terraces and vineyards that shaped physical landscapes, to ancient food storehouses of the Incan town in Ollantaytambo, Peru, and floating markets around Thailand, this thesis is set to explore the depth of societal behaviour in communities based on its history and heritage from a geographical, ecological and traditional adaptation in highlights of sustainability in vernacular architecture that in time contributes to a global phenomena by means of an international exchange of food culture. Conceptually, the challenge is to acknowledge the production of architecture beyond the form and function, with the objective to highlight the sensitivity to cultural heritage and knowledge that creates finesse in its craft. Metaphorically, the dialogue of food atlas in retrospective settings implies the application of an architectural design process similar to cooking a meal- the careful selection of ingredients into a curating a delightful setting to dine, ingredients in season reflecting material selection in local context for sustainability. Of which, the level of details in relation to food and architecture is informed through this assessed documentation.
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I. LOCAL FOOD. Local delicacies by the community, made popular due to its authenticity. II. FOOD SHOP. Humble set up infused with unique charming characteristics. III. HIDDEN LANES. Navigating through alleyways in search of the destination. IV. STREET VALUE. Enhancing street vitality through a spectrum of foodscape. V. MAPPING LOCATION. Identifying culture in place; through causation and correlation on an urban scale. VI. NATIONAL IDENTITY. Recognition on a global scale.
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AMERICA
UNITED STATES
Explore the architecture of American Diners and its interior decor such as neon signages and lightings, furnitues etc. Its aesthetic contribution to the culture of an all American dining experience for a quick and easy meal.
SOUTH AMERICA
Journey back to the Ancient Inca civilization, located in Cuzco, or modern day Peru. Discovering the contribution of storehouses for surplus food to the success of its civilization. 16
UNITED STATES
SOUTH AMERICA
AMERICAN DINER UNITED STATES.
HISTORY In 1872, a man named Walter Scott, decided to sell food out of a horse wagon in Rhode Island. This first “walk up� window stall of a wagon is considered the original diner as we commonly associate a typical American food scene. Another businessman, Thomas Buckley, then commercially produced it as lunch wagons in Massachusetts, 1877. Due to popular demand, the need to expand resulted in a stationary food service business, constructed by prefabricated materials and equipment. It was after World War II that diners spread beyond their regional coverage into urban areas for better business opportunities and this is when its typical stainless steel, Streamlined archetype was replaced by bigger and wider buildings to accommodate more customers.
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An All American Diner is typically a prefabricated fast food eatery with a distinctively characterized stainless steel building exterior and a dominant counter setting of casual atmospheric element in its interior.
The change in architectural style can be seen from this point forward in diner designs such as of Cape Cod and Colonial influences. Over the years, the diner style appearance changes according to demand with renovations and add-ons to the original structural frames of its prefabricated diners. Some of these newer establishments are known as diner-restaurants. Regardless, the successes of this fast food business led this idea into what is perceived in present day as quintessentially American. On top of that, a huge influence on the infamous drive-thru and fast food phenomena in the United States. FOOD Serving American food is the key characteristic to a diner experience, mainly fried or grilled food, - hamburgers, hot dogs, hash browns and waffles. Regional variation gives diners their identities; such places include Coney Dogs at “Coney Island Style� restaurant, Ohio and the well-known New York Cheesecake. Although generally similar to a fast food chain being fairly uniform and recognizably decent and inexpensive, diner food are more individually unique according to regions and accustomed local tastes. 19
BOTTOM: NIGHTHAWK, 1942, painted by Edwad Hopper, New York.
ART The diner style has major influence in several artists across America. One famous painter known as John Baeder, dedicated his life to document diners across the States through his paintings and photography, reflecting his interest in the essence of an American diner experience. Another contribution to diner art is the famous oil canvas painting by artist Edward Hopper, called Nighthawks, 1942, that was supposedly inspired by a diner in his neighborhood in Manhattan, where two streets meet in Greenwich Village. This painting portrays people in a diner late at night and in his own words conveyed (handwritten from his sketch journal):
“Night + brilliant interior of cheap restaurant. Bright items: cherry wood counter + tops of surrounding stools: light on metal tanks at rear right; brilliant streak of jade green tiles ¾ across canvas— at base of glass of window curving at corner. Light walls, dull yellow ocre door into kitchen right.” A 20
ARCHITECTURE The original diner style is a typically long and narrow floor plan, with a dominate service counter accompanied by a preparation area against a back wall, parallel with floor mounted seating stools on the opposite side. The interior dĂŠcor varied over time, interestingly projecting artistic features of a particular era that could be appreciated over the years. 1920-1940 Streamline Moderne elements that replicates the rail dining cars was the initial influence of diner designs. 1950 Stainless steel panels, terrazzo floors and neon signage were the classic diner style that is more commonly known today as portrayed in many media such as in films and literature. Today, restaurant-like diners are remodeled to retain aspects of these elements for the purpose of visual assimilation in architectural aesthetics for identity, while altering other elements such as size of counters and width of floor areas.
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ANCIENT INCA SOUTH AMERICA.
The Incan Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, located in Cuzco or modern day Peru. Until the conquer of the Spanish in 1572, the people of Inca were around since the 12th century CE.
HISTORY The Incan Empire was renowned for their agricultural success in prehistoric times. Massive and advanced farming developments were evident in the remains of its architectural ruins as we appreciate today in the region of Peru, South America. Amongst which include a network of food storage facilities that were built in order to survive inclement weather and disaster that would destroy crops and other foodstuff.
TOP: Famous Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. TOP RIGHT: Qulla, food storehouse. RIGHT: Alpaca, livestock; with aboriginal children of the tribe, in traditional attire.
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AGRICULTURE The success of Ancient Incan agriculture is due to their ambitious farmers that worked with the given landscape, transforming into terraces with irrigated networks of canals for sufficient drainage. However, the most amazing achievement is their knowledge in crop rotation and fertilization methods in farming. Cocoa, maize, quinoa and beans were the main crops cultivated and the people were largely vegetarian as meat protein were hard to get, therefore, were consumed only occasionally as it was highly valuable. Livestock were vital for providing clothing material such as wool and leather and for transportation. Animals such as llama, alpaca were their domesticated herds. FOOD & DIET Aforementioned, the Incan Diet is majorly vegetarian with the occasional consumption of meat. The people had two main meals daily seated on floors without a table surface, once early morning and the other in the late evening. Freeze-dried meat, ch’arki, were common for travellers, while the staple food was porridge made of quinoa. A popular fermented alcohol known as chicha, were prepared by women chewing maize or other plants to form pulp that ferments for a couple of days until liquidized. Food was usually boiled on fire made of wood or roasted on llama dung inside a clay or stone stove.
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RITUALS Rituals and sacrifices were essential in the lives of Incans. Guinea pigs and llama were sacrificial offerings in favor of the gods for better harvest. This sacrificial ritual is accompanied by the act of the pouring chicha, beer like alcohol, into the ground near springs and rivers. RIGHT: Ancient Peruvian art examples that resembles some from of their beliefs and practices. BOTTOM: Agricultural terrain.
ARCHITECTURE FOOD STORAGE Due to harsh climate conditions in their geographical location, frequent crop failure resulted in the incredible contribution of the food storage system. Food storehouses were known as qulla, which were built all over the land throughout the history of the empire. There are at least hundreds of qulla rows built on hills and along roads in each provincial center. The food contribution were collected and stored in silo, granary and underground cavern. A qulla is different from a tampu, although both serves the purpose of storage, qulla is specifically for food, and is larger in quantity.
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Qulla structures were stoned-single-room, either rectangular or circular in form and were built remarkably in an ordered pattern. Its main function is to lengthen storage time of perishable food. The architecture developments were advanced in which having gravel flooring and ventilation in floors within the qulla for keeping the internal air cool and dry. Foodstuff could have been stored up to two years inside the structure, while freeze-dried goods could be stored up to four years.
SACRED FIELDS Whenever the Incans conquer a land, the territory would be split into 3 parts of importance, varied in sizes; one for religious purpose, one for the king and the last for the local inhabitants.
Every year in the month of August, the Inca King would commence the annual farming by tilling the first soil with a golden plough in one of the many sacred fields in the capital city, Cuzco. This is significant because only the harvest from these sacred lands would be used as offerings in shines to the gods.
TEMPLES Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun (TOP), located also in Cuzco, is the sacred complex for religious activities. Erected on the sacred site also known as the Golden Enclosure, the remains of the stone walls suggested the large scale it was occupied with massive quantity of decorated gold used. Of which sculptures of a life-sized field of corn aside precious metal insects and animals made of silver covered metals. Archaeological evidence shows that the temple was built around the early 12th century CE. Interestingly, its plan layout resembles sun rays shining out from all directions, symbolizing sacred lines of cosmic paths. Even more amazingly, 41 out of 328 led to sacred sites throughout the land. Exemplifying their construction skills in finely cut stone blocks fitted without mortar. The trademark of Incan architecture boasts the fine masonry skills of slighting leaned inward with height, curved in perimeter form. Only single-storey, many trapezoid, gold covered doors and windows for natural lighting into its interior spaces enriched the importance of this sacred building. RIGHT: Internal spaces within the temple. 25
UNITED KINGDOM & EUROPE UNITED KINGDOM
ITALY
The timeline of bar and pub architecture over the years began from the UK has a role in influencing many modern day designs and styles. These premises are house to serve alcoholic beverages such as beer and ale for the purpose of socializing.
The novelty of romancing in Venice and its ever turquoise coloured water creates a desirable setting for a perfect al fresco dining of relaxation on vacation. Its network of canals along with its rich historical buildings gives Venice its unique identity as a travel destination.
FRANCE
People watching while sipping a cup of cappuccino in a cafÊ across the streets lined with boulangerie and Pâtissier seems like the quinessential experience when in France. The influence of this French culture in contemporary lifestyle had evidently influence bakeries, the art of pastry making and coffee shops around the world.
PORTUGAL
The joyous festive celebration of the noble sardine fish that spills life to the streets of Lisbon. Its decorative trinkets and colourful ornaments display paired with the aroma of grilled seafood is the highlight of food and architecture at best that Portugal offers during this yearly event.
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UNITED KINGDOM
FRANCE
PORTUGAL
ITALY
PUB CRAWL UNITED KINGDOM.
As described by Samuel Pepys, an English naval administrator, pubs are the heart of England.
RIGHT: Cobble stone street complimenting the facade of a bar entrance. BOTTOM: Wooden barrels and chalkboard signages with hand written menu are props to the outdoor setting of a bar.
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TOP: Archetype of an Old English Bar. LEFT: Contemporary style in the interior design of a modern day bar influenced by the traditional desgin.
By definition, a pub is a premise in which is licensed to sell alcohol to the general public. Tracing back to Roman taverns, pubs offer a range of beers, wines, spirits and snacks. When it first started, public bars housed a large serving room, ideally to serve a maximum number of customers in the shortest period of time possible, most of the time with sawdust covered floors to absorb spills and spits.
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ARTS & ARCHITECTURE Traditionally, the windows and doors of a pub were usually tinted, smoked or frosted as to blur visual clarity from the streets to maintain privacy on the inside. The concept of a bar counter used to serve beer was first implemented in a pub. Before that, beer were usually brought out and served to tables or benches as would a beer garden. Beer pumps or beer engines originally intended to operate to dispense beer from a container located in a basement or cellar. Today, it has become an iconic element within a drinking premise, arguably even in cafes and other eateries. However, by the early 1970s, many establishments rather invest in themed interior design in remodeling the premise to give it a unique identity rather than a generic pub archetype.
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TOP: Example of the many variations of signages that are icons to the pub culture in the UK. LEFT: The art of a bar counter displaying alcoholic beverages, accompanied by chalkboard menu and beer pumps.
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TEMPLE BAR, DUBLIN Located at the South Bank of the Liffey River in central Dublin, Temple Bar is a renowned area for its nightlife quarter that is highly popular amongst tourists. Historically known as St.Andrews Parish, this land was redeveloped by one of the wealthy English families into a garden for the houses there, back in the 17th Century. Today, the area of Temple Bar not only known many drinking premises but also houses an array of buskers, street artist, gigs and temporary markets. It is a lively atmospheric in the epitome of Dublin’s cultural experience. In collaboration with the governmental body of the local council, Temple bar is key component to the vision of Dublin’s tourism since its reemergence in the dense neighbourhood as a mixed used premise. This had demonstrated an example of an urban renewal of a place as the catalyst to socio-cultural and economic growth in the development of commercialism in a residential district.
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TOP RIGHT: The potential location of Temple Bar and its surrounding for gentrification as shown on plan. TOP: Bar food & bar setting- beer pump, counter top seatings. BOTTOM: Temple Bar in street architecture.
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SARDINE FESTIVAL LISBON, PORTUGAL.
HISTORY Every year during the month of June, the streets of Lisbon are filled In remembrance of the 13th century event whereby a Catholic saint with lively feast that takes over the city’s historical center. confided in the fishes by the shore regarding his worries that the locals would not listen to his sermons while in Rimini, Italy. Legend Celebrating the Feast Day of St. Anthony, a patron saint of Lisbon, has it that a row of fish raised their heads, bowing with their mouths the Portuguese capital goes sardine crazy along the steep and opened, acknowledging his wandering missionary. Witnessed by winding streets with the aroma of grilled sardines outside houses the local folks of Rimini, this miraculous event is celebrated until and restaurants. today, also known as the Sardine Festival.
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TOP: Igreja de Santo Antรณnio de Lisboa, or also known as Church of Saint Anthony, is a National Monument of Lisbon located at the old district of Alfama.
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IMAGE: FESTASDELISBOA.COM
TOP: Mapping network in the heart of Lisbon. Linking the streets of which the celebration takes place from one point of a landmark to another. 36
TRADITIONS & RITUALS Besides feasting on grilled sardines for days during the festival, it is also an annual ritual for matchmaking that results in mass marriages. Single ladies implore saints to help them find husbands. It is almost certain to come across more than one wedding event outside churches, and along the streets during this time. It is apparent for new couples to get married at the Church of Saint Anthony (Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa), particularly on the 13th of June every year. Since 1755, a tradition for procession to leave the church, passing the Lisbon Cathedral and through the slopes at the old district of Alfama. It is said that the church is built on the site where St. Anthony was born in 1195, and is classified as a National Monument today. Other minor but significant tradition during this festival include the giving of special bread to the oldest woman of each family on the morning of this celebration, and the gift of Manjerico (basil) as a symbol of affection. This is usually done so by presenting basil in a pot, accompanied by paper carnations with written poems dedicated to love ones. There are also those who decorate these potted gifts of love at their balconies during the festival. SETTING All throughout the streets in Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon, stretching from the North, Avenida de Liberdade all the way South towards the sea and old district of Alfama, passing along favourite local spots- Bairro Alto, Bica, and Rossio, this festival parades colourful draped garlands with fairy lights, streamers and paper lanterns decorated all over balconies, railings and cobble-stoned streets aligned with temporarily built street dining furniture. Nights at the narrow streets in Bairro Alto, Bica district, famous for its party scene leaves visitors with memorable experience on its bar-lined hills, with doors of bars and clubs shut, moving to drinking by the windows, and arranging tables outside on streets for this festivity. 37
It is in Alfama, the city’s oldest quarter, that this sardine craze dominates the festival. Every corner of the street is filled with the aroma of grilled fish cooked to perfection outside homes and restaurants all day and all nightlong. All along the narrow streets and colourfully decorated ambience meandering hillside, complimented with the warm-hearted and charming people of Lisbon, perfectly paired with local traditional music- Fado. It is a festive celebration at best. It its hard to escape such vibrant celebration through food, bringing people together in their built environment, practically bringing inside spaces out onto the streets. Everyone is eating and drinking, everyone is making merry in celebration of this yearly tradition that results also in making new memories and experiences.
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TOP: Temporary setting in the outdoor streets of Alfama to celebrate in cooking, drinking and eating. LEFT: Typical Azulejo designs on building elevations. FAR LEFT: Decorated streets, dangling ornaments and Manjerico that livens the festive atmosphere.
AZULEJOS Collaterally, this festival draws attention to one of Portugal’s significant ornamented featuresAzulejos. Azulejos are painted glazed ceramic tile works that are used at interior and exterior of buildings all over Portugal from subway stations, restaurants, to palaces and churches, on walls, ceilings and floors. This contributes to a major part of Portuguese Architecture not only as a decorative ornament, it functions as a temperature control element in buildings and more significantly, it contributes to major heritage aspects of Portuguese colonization history throughout the world such as in South East Asia and South America. 39
VENETIAN ROMANCE ITALY.
Situated in the North East part of Italy, Venice is the capital of the Veneto region. It is an archipelago of 117 small islands divided by canals and linked by bridges. Listed as one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the charm of Venice lies in its romantic settings in art and architecture, along with the novelty of its always turquoise coloured water. RIGHT: Zoning of the Venetian Island, separated by the grand canal.
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HISTORY What gives Venice its unique identity is mainly contributed to its canals. Since the 19th Century, these canals functioned as roads for transport in trade from merchants all over the world. Until today, Venice remained authentic as a city without automobiles as it solely depends on water transportation. GONDOLA Arguably the most Iconic Venetian element for many tourists that visits Venice is a ride on the gondola. This picture-perfect scene is popular for wedding photos strolling down narrow canals between buildings.
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LEFT: Typical Italian course. BOTTOM: A dining experience in the romantic setting by the canal. FAR LEFT: Al fresco setting by the famous Rialto Bridge.
ARCHITECTURE THE GRAND CANAL & RIALTO BRIDGE The Grand Canal is the major water route in the city, in which up until the 19th Century, the Rialto Bridge was the only link across both banks. Lined with aesthetically pleasing architecture along the canal, from Venetian families palazzos, to churches and hotels, the one attraction that many tourists are willing to indulge in is dining in one of the many restaurant by the waters. As one of the most prominent architecture icon in Venice, the Rialto Bridge became the destination for the hopeless romantics to write their names on locks and locking them on the bridge as a symbol of eternal love. Due to its over popularity, the over crowding locks on the bridge infectiously spread to the other bridges across the island. During the day, sipping a cup of coffee while people watching at a cafĂŠ by the canal, best enjoyed in a sunny summers day. The hustling and bustling sound of water taxis, vaporetti, paired with chatty conversations filled the atmosphere as one sits back to enjoy a lovely day. By night, dining at a restaurant with an unobstructed scenic view to the canal, best experiencing the sunset as the sun goes down, with a menu fit to indulge in gastronomic pleasures while appreciating the rich history and traditions of the place.
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PARISIAN STREETS FRANCE.
Being one of the first cities in Europe to adopt gas street lightings, Paris is often referred to as “The City of Lights”. Located on the river Seine in the Northern region, Paris is the capital of France. French food is undeniably distinctive and it is one of the country’s main cultural pride. From world renowned culinary schools and French techniques in cooking, to casual dining of regional food and bakeries around town, food in Paris definitely an experience one simple cannot take lightly. RIGHT: Arrondissements, zoning of different neighbourhoods in Paris.
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ARCHITECTURE Late 19th Century, Baron Haussmann remodeled Paris into the city we know and love today. Parisian streets with tree-lined boulevards and its distinctively cream-grey stone used in building ornamentations dominating streetfrontages. The perfect alignments of building fronts in the streets were an effect of the strict urban planning laws dating back to the 17th century. Although laws had been adjusted to be more flexible in recent years, many of the city’s development remain in effect of the old laws. RESTAURANTS Eating premises opened at specific times throughout the day that featured decorative tableware, restaurants offer regional menu with fixed prices.
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CAFÉ Café were introduced in Paris in the 17th Century when coffee was brought in from Turkey and had since flourished as to be the essence of the city’s lifestyle culture. In the 20th Century, cafés became important meeting places for artist such as painters and writers. BOULANGERIE Must not be confused with a pâtissier, a boulangerie specializes in French style bread making. In 1801, the Napoleon administration imposed a flour reserve, forcing the number of bakeries to decline. In result, these bakers reacted by creatively developing a variety of fancy breads and baked goods and were able to escape this administrative law. Today, almost 98% of the people in France eat bread on a daily basis. The simple joy of buying bread from a boulangerie is quintessentially French as the smell of freshly baked artisanal bread; baguettes in baskets enhances the gastronomic fabric of the city. 46
BISTRO A casual local restaurant within a neighborhood with humble decorations and usually more affordable in price, usually for a quicker bite instead of a proper sit down meal. BRASSERIE Similar to that of a pub, a brasserie originated from a tavern located next to a brewery, in which beer is served with food. PATISSERIE A typical French bakery specializes in pastries and sweets. Many people these days devote themselves into a training process in order to master the skills of becoming a pâtissier, in hopes to succeed and flourish in this city. Hence, the growth in pâtisserie all over Paris was rapid in recent years.
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MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA SAUDI ARABIA
Understanding the nomadic architecture of Bedouin tribe, that were influenced by traditional cultures of religious practice, geographical and climate conditions. Discovering the people’s adaptation to food availability provided by its natural surrounding.
QATAR
Souq Waqif, marketplace in the heart of Doha, capital of Qatar that enables locals and visitors to experience a glimpse of its rich historical past through the physical form of architecture and analyzing the social importance of a place for trade.
GHANA
Exploring Makola Market in the capital city of Ghana- Accra. It’s contribution to urbanization and socio-economical growth of the people in transitioning with the development of modern infrastructures.
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SAUDI ARABIA
QATAR
GHANA
BEDOUIN NOMADS SAUDI ARABIA.
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‘Bedou’ means desert dwellers in Arabic. Hence, the people of the Bedouin tribe are Middle Eastern nomads that covers across the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean, and the borders of Turkey to Yemen. Bedouins are estimated to be one tenth of the Middle Eastern population and are traditionally Muslims. HISTORY As nomads, the tribe migrates according to seasons, depending on grazing condition as herding camels, sheep and other livestock are a major part of the Bedouin lifestyle. During summer times under the scorching sun, they usually camp around water sources while they reside deeper into the dessert in shelter of rain during winter. These nomads travel in tribes and associate themselves as member of a large family within the community. Having said that, ancestral descendant lineage divides them into social classes. In modern Arabic lifestyle, their tribal cultures is at challenge when infused with western practices as men becomes more adaptable in social interactions, while women remain conservative to traditions, most of the time dwelling within the home.
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Men are seen to play host to their social life, as guests are welcomed with drinks by a fire hearth. Usually tea is served when guests arrive and coffee is served after a meal. The meals served reflects the family’s generous hospitality; men would gather by the fire hearth, sipping away freshly brewed drinks, discussing current events, exchanging news and sharing stories while women and young children gather in the family area to bake bread and prepare the meal, in which they would all eat together later on. This entire happening is within one tent itself, of which a curtain acts as the only barrier between spaces.
ARCHITECTURE A Bedouin tent is called a Buyuut. Depending on seasons, as little The layout explains the gender-based segregation in spaces of as 3 tents may congregate on a campsite, or as many as 15 tents inhabitant; the men’s section is known as the Raba’a while the together. family or women’s section is known as the Mu’harram, and are usually larger for functional activities as Bedouin women not Rectangle in shape, these Bedouin tent they call home is usually only takes care of the sheep, cook and milk the animals while divided into 3 sections by curtains. The first being the men raising their children, they are the main characters behind the section, the second is the family section and lastly, the kitchen. The aesthetically cloth weaving that make up the shelter of the tents. segregation of spaces shows not only the importance of social Interestingly, the women’s quarter is forbidden to anyone else, but status within the family, but also architectural importance in they are allowed to peep through a small opening in observing the keeping a family together in the use of spaces during family time. men’s section, especially when hosting guests. 52
LEFT: Plan of a typical Bedouin tent. RIGHT: Traditional utensils for coffee and tea brewing. BOTTOM: Men socializing; preparing food using traditional cooking method.
This relationship of interior spatial arrangement between genders is a unique feature to the Bedouin nomadic tents, with only curtain acting as separating walls, known as the Qata, has attracted many curious foreigners and visitors from all over the world. Today, many tours are available to people in experiencing the authentic culture of the Bedouin tribe, with its main attraction being the food and drinks served while absorbing the ambience of a nomadic lifestyle. The practice of tent architecture of the Bedouin Nomads highlights the practical way of living in adapting to climate and environmental challenges while indirectly expressing the beauty of various art forms in tent design from its spatial usage according to customary traditions, cooking methods along with ritual of entertaining guests and last but not least, the aesthetics of their weaved fabric used as shelter on tents that has contributed to contemporary interior decorations. 53
IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: Food and architecture of the Bedouin nomads in everyday life.
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FOOD A Bedouin diet consists mainly of meat and dairy from their traveling livestock. Influenced by its geographical location in the desert, dried fruits, vegetables and nuts are widely included in meals, along with their staple of rice or bread from grains of the land, depending very much on the location of their travels and settlement. Famously known for their Arabic tea and coffee is essential to their favourite pastime in socializing. A significant method of cooking and preparing food is the use of earth ovens in the desert landscape. Food is placed directly into the hot sand beneath campfire as the heat aids its cooking process.
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SOUQ WAQIF QATAR.
HISTORY In ancient times, Souq Waqif was a gathering place for nomads and locals for trading goods, more often livestock for daily necessities. This place remains a source for traditional garments, perfumes, oud (exotic Middle Eastern incense), and local spices, despite the ongoing gentrification of the area in urbanization. IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: Vernacular architecture in buildings at Souq Waqif.
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A souq, is generally an opened air marketplace. Often associated to a bazaar-like set up, it can be found in the Middle East or North African regions. Souq Waqif is located in the heart of Doha, in the state of Qatar, its name means “standing market� as merchants used to sell their goods standing, when its land area were often wet during wintertimes. Although it dates back to at least a hundred years, it was renovated recently in 2006 to conserve its traditional architectural style. The revival of the unique architectural style of Souq Waqif is important as it is one of the remaining heritage sites in the city of Doha. Besides that, it is probably one of the only traditional souq left in the Gulf. The success is obvious in its restoration in restructuring the layout and organization of the souq in serving contemporary needs in current context.
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ARCHITECTURE In the 2006 conservation activities in preserving the rich history and The organization of the layout within the souq consists of a network identity of the market, buildings constructed after the 1950s were of labyrinth, channeling from its main streets, leading to various demolished whereas older structures were restored. stores, shisha lounges and restaurants. There are 3 divisions: I. Amayer, storage for wholesale retailers. Storage goods Traditional Qatari construction techniques were applied during include dates, rices and construction materials. the restoration program, of which includes traditional insulation II. Opened air stalls. Sales of goods imported from across its methods for building protection against the blazing sun, at the neighbouring lands, such as India, the Arabic Peninsula same time incorporating a couple of modern facilities such as and Africa as this is a place for traders alike. lighting and air conditioning into its design. III. Craft shops. Local artisanal creations that are popular amongst tourists.
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LOCAL ARCHITECTURE CHARACTERISTICS At Souq Waqif, its building style influences can be traced from Southern Iranian and Northern Arabian. Most buildings do no exceed 3 floors, with walls formed by a series of columns approximately 900mm apart. The gaps between pillars are filled with seashore stone, alternatively producing either windows or latticed blinds for decorative purposes. Its roof is usually flat, made of woven bamboo that goes on top of mangrove poles. With wood ‘dangeel’ prominently remained outside the borders of the walls, proving the importance of wood as a rare construction material in local context, while giving its architecture its charm and identity. The spontaneous flow of human density across the market depending on the distribution of shops, stalls and eateries gives Souq Waqif its intangible characteristic, in addition to its simple structured building elevations throughout the area. LEFT: Main outdoor street with dining furniture at restaurant and coffee shop fronts. TOP: Internal streets with traditional architecture elements. BOTTOM: Typical style in elevation.
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ART CENTRE Various forms of artistic expressions can be seen and appreciated within Souq Waqif. Traditional and contemporary Qatari art are not only all around the corners of the market itself, but specifically showcased in the Art Centre built for Islamic Exhibitions that display ancient calligraphy, sculptures, and even beautiful carpets.
RIGHT: Temporary food stalls at the exterior compound of Souq Waqif. BOTTOM: Locals indulging in one of its traditional leisure of shisha smoking, a molasses-based tobacco concoction smoked in a hookah.
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DINING Shaded frontages throughout the market at restaurants and coffee shops provide ideal arrangement of seatings that enable the simple pleasures of people watching in the social life of the souq itself. Whether in a shisha lounge or an ornately designed restaurant, dining at Souq Waqif is the best experience to absorb the local ambience of a modern meet traditional appeal. After all, Souq Waqif is definitely the catalyst to connect the past with its present day socio-cultural phenomenon.
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MAKOLA MARKET GHANA.
Located in the capital city of Accra, Ghana, West Africa, Makola Market is a well-known marketplace. It is constructed in recent years to accommodate a pre-existing commercial hub that was demolished by fire in the 90s. Makola Market is the commercial heart of the Ghanaian life, with a wide variety of products available here, from dry goods to fresh produce and even household tools, shoes and clothing. HISTORY Makola Market dates back to 1924 when the original market structure was built. It has remained the nation’s epicenter of economic and social exchange despite the inevitable decision for demolition due to the fire incident in August 1979.
IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: Vitality of Makola Market to the socio-economy and cultural aspect of the Ghanian life.
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In present times, the new market structure intends to assimilates its buildings in urban context, situated in Ussher Town. It is seen as a more organized system due to the typical construction of a four storey building with modern amenities to house the many vendors on site, improving the quality of space and atmosphere. These modern amenities include the incorporation of proper indoor lightings, functional doors and windows to shut the space when air-conditioning is in used. IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: Temporary food stalls set up on the streets at Ussher Town, leading to Makola Market.
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Although the intention is to improve the standard of living, these facilities unintentionally isolates the social aspect that gave Makola Market its significant importance as the heart of Ghana. This scenario can be seen when doors are forced to shut during the use of air-conditioning that reflects that the shop is closed, in local interpretation. Therefore, leaving customers to assume that the shops are not open for business. Besides that, the partitioned walls that are built to divide ownership spaces of different vendors had separated social interaction and reduced verbal communication amongst the vendors. Over time, this phenomena has resulted in the lost of local culture, leaving many vendors returning to the streets where there is little to no order of structure in spatial restriction, as seen below.
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ARCHITECTURE Similar to the many marketplaces around the world, Makola Market is vibrant with local identity that attracts people, whether locals or visitors, leaving them with enriched the socio-cultural experience of the local context. As mentioned earlier, many stalls chose to organize themselves on the streets surrounding the building. The market street consists of informal rows of stalls set up in front of the main building shops, subsequently into distinctive zones that allows for a heavy pedestrian flow. This self-organized phenomenon of spatial arrangement had manifested its physical identity of local culture in commerce and exacerbates the inevitable apparent way of life of the people despite new facilities that were provided in hopes to better their lives. Still packed with heavy pedestrian traffic, these unordered organization effectively defined circulation routes around their set up stalls through lanes in between. Hence, successfully developed undefined boundaries in respond to a given undersigned space.
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This simple sophistication of space usage highlights one’s participation in the sensitivity of a place. The paradox of providing infrastructure while preserving of local cultures in self-organization are both crucial factors in shaping a community in an urban fabric. This is due to the fact that cultural relevance in commercial exchange in a marketplace is the key ingredient to a successful place making, (TOP) as demonstrated in this chapter. 67
INDIA, CENTRAL & SOUTH EAST ASIA. TAIWAN
JAPAN
CHINA
MALAYSIA
KOREA
THAILAND
The famous Jiu Fen district that consist of many winding streets that goes along the terrain of the mountain, both horizontally and vertically, is in many ways inspiring in architecture design and in sense of function as a social community. Its countless numebr of stalls, eateries and beautiful teahouses reflects the essence of the local people and had inspired many films in the portrayal of architecture, arts and culture. All over China and Hong Kong, as well as most parts of Asia where there are residing migrants from China, the annual Chinese New Year celebration is the time where streets are decorated with lanterns and the colour red is used in its many ornaments. Discovering how traditional practices of Chinese people translate into architectural aesthetics.
INDIA
Home to many spices and its renowned cuisine that had spread across the globe, Indian food in architecture can be appreciated worldwide through the rise of Indian restaurants in every city of every country. Incorporating Indian architectural details and style, many restaurants recreate the essence of India through physical form in its place.
Exploring the mannerism of partaking a royal cuisine dating back to ancient days. Food was seen as remedy to nourish the body and the incorporation of many types of food had resulted in the physical space for storing and preparing food as well as the experience in dining.
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Tea drinking in Japan had expressed its utmost importance in Japanese culture through its meticulous methods and steps during its participation. Specific spatial allocation and layout within a tea house is carefully curated for the sequential procedure during a tea drinking ceremony. It is obvious that its architecture is not taken lightly to designing the perfect ambience for the occasion. The diversity of its local cuisine is a result of the diverse ethnic groups that consist of Malay, Indian and Chinese people dominating amongst others. Exploring food trails in the state of Penang unravels the heritage sites throughout the region in which architecture and food brings out the best of Penang itself.
Commonly referred to as ‘Venice of the East’, Thailand’s famous floating markets had contributed to its nation’s sociocultural aspect since the use of the rivers for main transportation. Today, it seems to attract more tourist due to its quaint charm of the old, in a modern day setting.
CHINA
KOREA INDIA
TAIWAN
THAILAND
MALAYSIA
JAPAN
PASSAGE THROUGH INDIA INDIA.
Indian food is influenced by a diversity of cultures and traditions throughout its historical timeline since the beginning of civilization. Even within the continent itself, the Northern and Southern food practices and habits differ from one another due to geography and climate. For instance, the spices used in enhancing the aroma of food are different in regions as geographically and seasonally produced vegetation is not the same. Hence, producing a variety of dishes throughout India.
GEOGRAPHY Northern food staple is wheat based whereas in the South, rice is usually served in every meal. This is because wheat is the major crop up North, making it a large influence in its cuisine, which includes naan bread and chappati. Another significant influence in Northern Indian food is Central Asian, Arabic and Persian style as geographically located nearby. While Southern Indian food is heavily rice and coconut based, producing chutney and curries. RELIGION Another major influence in Indian food is religion. Hinduism and Muslim traditions are the main contribution to culinary practices, while vegetarian and Jain practice are also widely practiced. Christianity was introduced when the British started its commercial involvement in India tea trading, opening opportunities for other European contribution from the Portuguese and Persians too. 70
ARCHITECTURE In Mumbai, the city is known best for its portable stalls and hawkers that gives a distinctive character to its streets. The locals welcome this phenomenon of street food culture because it blurs the line of the drastic economical classes that defines the people. Sharing a common taste in street food also eliminates religious, gender and social classes amongst the people. Although the food sold is inexpensive, street food vendors contribute to the development of the city’s food culture as compared to restaurant dining. These vendors are usually found outside colleges and railway stations, along with a crowd of people in line for purchase. Lanes with a decent cluster of food hawker stalls are known as “Khau Galli� and can be found all over Mumbai, such as in Girgaum Chowpatty beach and Nariman Point.
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From the success on the streets, many vendors not only made it into restaurant kitchens but also even migrated abroad to Indian restaurants worldwide. This global phenomenon contributes in architectural appreciation through food, when Indian themed restaurants are designed with architectural influenced to reflect its richness in culture. Contemporary application in the aesthetic features of doors, windows and archways could be appreciated as Indian architecture, embedded with rich historical influence from the Moghul, Ottoman and even European Empire through colonization over the years. 72
Jali Or Jaali, it is an ornamented lattice screen usually geometrical patterned with Indo-Islamic calligraphy influence. This type of architecture decoration with plant motif designs are a contribution of Moghul art, and it functions as a shading element, lowering temperature by diffusion hot air through the holes of openings. In modern India, these screens functions as privacy and security barriers.
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JIU FEN TAIWAN.
Located in the mountain area at Rui Fang District of New Taipei, Taiwan, Jiu meaning “nine” while Fen means “portion” in Mandarin, Chinese. Jiu Fen is a small town comprises its famous teahouses in quaint streets, overlooking a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. It is now one of the most visited tourist attractions of its country, reliving its historical past for gold mining as a ghost town of the present. 74
HISTORY During the early years of the Qing Dynasty, the nine portions of this town was divided to nine families and later remained as the name of the site. Its historical evidence of inhabitants by the Dutch and Japanese reflects its importance as a gold mining site back in those days of which gold flakes were accidentally discovered by labours in construction of the railway tracts in the hills of Kau-Hun. Nowadays, this heritage site is mainly visited for its two pedestrian streets: Jishan Street and Shuqi Road that runs in horizon along the ridgeline while the latter vertically across the slopes of the hill. IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: Illustrates present day setting at Jiu Fen; streets with endless food shops, food stalls and decorated with cultural elements.
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ARCHITECTURE At hindsight of its magnificent coastal view and past, it is the interest of travelers and tourist alike to relive its history while enjoying local food specialties. Knick-knacks and crafty souvenirs paired with many eateries and architecturally authentic teahouses in this commercial district bring out the nostalgia of an everyday festive ambience here at Jiu Fen Town. The blend of various food aromas fills the atmosphere of Jishan Street as one walks pass rows of shops and restaurants in old, vintage style architecture on both sides of the street. Follow the trail of tourists and wander into Shuqi Road made of countless flights of paved stoned stairs. What seem like never ending trails of oriental paper lanterns along the street accompanied by richly ornamented detailing on the facades of teahouse, intriguing food menu and signage painted across rows of eateries of unique colours, flavours and smell. It is a sight in place that stimulates all senses from feasting of the eyes to the mouth-watering sensation of the tongue.
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TEAHOUSE The amount of food stalls and eateries here may seen overwhelming at first, but there are a few pinned down spots that most visitors never fail to visit. One of those includes the Jiu Fen Teahouse. From its exterior, its entrance is located in a tight, narrow street while opening up into a spacious interior. Its decors gives out an artistic sense of stacked bundles of tea and ceramic-tea-ware throughout the space, with a sight of traditional steaming iron kettles on coal brewing method that one will find hard to miss. Teahouses here was once a gathering place for the creative minds of local writers and artists when it first opened. Hence, there is a gallery displaying many works of these talents within the teahouse. IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: Illustrates the elements and unique features of tea houses as described.
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LUNAR NEW YEAR CHINA.
Lunar New Year is the first day of the Lunar Calendar in which its months are coordinated by the cycle of the moon, and different from that of the solar calendar.
HISTORY Similar to it is Chinese New Year, significantly celebrated by the Central and South East Asians in countries like Hong Kong, mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, while Japan and Korea celebrates the Lunar New Year slightly differently. Regardless, this New Year festival is considered the biggest and main celebration throughout the year for these Asian countries especially to the Chinese ethnicity due to its traditions to honour deities and ancestors during this period of time. During this time, it is an occasion for family members from afar to reunite over an annual reunion dinner, on the eve. It is also customary for a thorough cleaning of the house in superstitious beliefs to sweep away ill-fortunes and make way for good luck. It is also a time where homes are decorated with red coloured paper cuttings that symbolizes good fortune. Usually on windows and doors, with popular Chinese written characters that translate to “Wealth”, “Happiness”, “Longevity”, “Fortune” and “Prosperity”. Lighting of firecrackers are one of the common activities as a sign to ward off evil creatures and the giving of red packets filled with money are given to younger members of the family by the elderly.
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ARTS & ARCHITECTURE MARKETS Chinese New Year markets are similar to that of Christmas markets. Either open-aired or sheltered, the usual good sold include food, clothing and festive decorative items. These places are usually decorated with many lanterns to mark its territory as an ongoing festive event. The practice of new year visitations to homes often paired with new year gifts and these marketplaces are a great spot to get these goods.
TOP LEFT: Temple decorated with lanterns. LEFT: Motif design used as decor. TOP: Decorated streetscape to create a festive ambience.
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TEMPLES As religious activities were carried out in temples back in the days, organized festive fairs with temporary set ups stalls and vendors are more common nowadays. Of aromatic burnt incense, temples usually host dragon or lion dances. The significance of these performances are its loud drumming and non stop cymbal sound, with the aggressively dragon or lion head movement to ward off evil spirits. In addition to that, Chinese New Year snacks and delicacies are sold too, as one could immerse in this cultural experience of this festive mood in arts of different forms. FIRECRACKERS Strung on a long fused string, rolls of red paper firecrackers with a gunpowder core producing a deafening popping sound when ignited is custom to this festive occasion to scare away evil spirits. On top of that, it signifies the joyous times of its loudness in celebration of the Lunar New Year.
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HOMES Home visitation during the first few days of the New Year celebration is a traditional practice passed on from generation to generation. Prioritizing the home of the most senior member of the family, it is usually the place where the main reunion dinner is held too when all members of the family reunites at home to share a family meal together. One’s home is usually decorated with New Year greetings in Chinese calligraphy of auspicious idioms and phrases. Typically hung at doorways and walls, always red in colour as this colour is seem to be the colour of prosperity and fortune in the Chinese culture.
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ROYAL COURT CUISINE KOREA.
The traditional style of cookery inherited from the Joseon Dynasty that ruled Korea during 1392 – 1910, is what we come to know as the Korean Royal Court Cuisine, or Joseon Wangjo Gungjung Yori. It was once only enjoyed by the royals during that period, in which food was served in specific bronzeware, or bangjjaa, in a specific arrangement of many dishes coming together in visual coherence that highlights and balance the colour, texture, shape and flavor of the ingredients in tuned with one’s five senses. This played a very important role in the way the Korean food culture appreciates the art of making and eating food.
On another note, communal lifestyle of the people in Korea began during this era, in which eating became one of the most important parts of the day while extended family members enjoy meal times with traditionally prepared food.
TOP: Recreated setting of a royal kitchen in Dae Jang Geum theme park, South Korea. RIGHT PAINTINGS (L-R): YAJINCHAN A royal banquet at the Mangyeongjeon Hall, Gyeongbok Palace, 1887, incorporates dance, music, performance, attire, table setting, lighting and flower decorations, demonstrating the comprehensive art of the Joseon Kingdom. COURTESY OF: Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine
In relation to current context, exquisite traditional architecture paired with various art forms besides the craft of Korean cuisine, such as music and dance, many efforts are made to reenact the essence of the royal court cuisine in hopes of preserving the cultural heritage and traditions.
SEONMYOJOJEJAEGYEONGSUYEONDO A painting recording a royal banquet, showing cooking preparations, COURTESY OF: visitkorea.or.kr
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HISTORY During the pre-modern era, food of the royal palace reflected the opulence of its rulers. For instance, during the Silla Kingdom, Anapji Lake, in Gyeongju, (TOP) a man-made lake was constructed with multiple pavilions and halls for the core purpose to hold banquets. In addition to boast superiority, the royals showcased delicacies from the finest regions across the peninsula by demanding it to be sent to the palace.
Records suggest that five meals were served daily, with three of which are main meals known also as Sura. These meals were set in suragan, a specific room dedicated for the royal family to partake of their daily meals.
ART & ARCHITECTURE Royal cuisine banquets were served in the royal court during a number of festive celebrations throughout the year. Annual celebrations include the Lunar New Year, Chuseok (Korean Unlike rationally preparing food from seasonal ingredients, meals Thanksgiving), and royal birthday jubilees. Waist high tables used prepared for the royal family were not seasonal, in reflecting power during royal banquets, usually placed side by side, topped off over a typically seasonal commoner’s meal. with 30 to 40 different side dishes. Food were lavishly plated and even decorated with flowers made of silk or paper.
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When serving the royal king and queen, the meal is set in an arrangement of three tables (BOTTOM). The largest round table, known as the wonban, contains main dishes; beside it a smaller round table, sowonban, consist of secondary dishes including additional plates and bowls. Lastly, a rectangular table, chaeksangban, features a hot pot with a cornucopia of raw ingredients ready to be cooked on site in hot simmering broth.
This setting is known as the Surasang, in which not only amplifies sophistication in dining, but also the art form in preparation and setting. This esteem custom is still practiced in today’s Korean dining experience with tweaks of adjustment over time to suit present day habits.
TRADITIONS In the practice of the Surasang setting, eastern philosophies such as the balance of yin and yang elements are practiced in the harmonizing one’s taste palette by alternating food of different cooking methods to intrigue flavours, colours of food that soothes the eyes and shapes of tableware that compliments one another.
01. Kimchi: cubed radish kimchi 02. Kimchi: vegetable kimchi in pickled fish brine 03. Kimchi: watery radish kimchi 04. Cooked vegetables 05. Dried side dish 06. Braised dishes: meat 07. Pan-fried dish: meat, fish, or vegetable 08. Pickled vegetables 09. Seasoned fresh vegetables 10. Salted seafood 11. Sliced boiled meat 12. Cold grill: seaweed, vegetable 13. Empty bowl for fish bones 14. Light soy sauce 15. Soysauce & vinegar 16. Vinegar red pepper paste 17. Rice: white rice, Red rice 18. Soup: seaweed soup 19. Hot grill: meat, fish 20. Soup: Thick beef soup 21. Casserole: casserole hot pot 22. Hot grill: marinated grilled beef slices 23. Stew: bean paste stew with fermented shrimp 24. A brass tea bowl on a tray 25. Tea kettle 26. An extra porcelain plate 27. Steamed dish: meats, fish, vegetables 28. Special dishes: raw meats, seafood 29. Poached eggs 30. Silver bowl 31. Brass casserole bowl with lid 32. Steamed rice with red bean 33. Royal Seat 34. Royal Seat 35. Seat for the Royal Server.
Koreans believe that this balance is the basis of a healthy life. Plus, it is tradition in practicing that the food and medicine are of one in healing, hence, a nutritional balance is utmost important when it comes to the Korean cuisine spread.
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While discussing the retrospective setting of the Korean Royal Court Cuisine and the Korean food culture in general, the art of Kimjang, the making and sharing of Kimchi, is widely gaining global recognition representing Korean food. As kimchi is being served at every Korean meal without fail, this annual tradition of bringing families together has becomeLEFT: a visit site for tourists in places conducting this Royal Court Cuisine setting in tradition specifically to sharePalace, cultural Gyeongbokgung Seoul,experiences South Korea. as making kimchi has given Koreans a sense of identity in society. BOTTOM: Kimjang- the practice of preserving kimchi, spicy pickled vegetable, during wintertime.
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CHASHITSU JAPAN.
On of the most significant Japanese traditional rituals are the practice of Tea Ceremony, Chanoyu, and its specifically designed architectural space of free-standing pavilion known as Tea Rooms, Chashitsu. Also relevant to that, “a place for tea� or Chaseki, implies a spatial setting in which people are seated, in the participation of this event.
CULTURE The ideal function of a tea room is for individuals to retreat from reality for moments of appreciating mindfulness in tranquil, appreciating art objects such as Chawan, irregular shaped tea bowls used in the tea ceremony and hand scroll of Japanese paintings displayed on the wall in the tokonoma.
The composition of a typical chashitsu are made up of features such as the shoji windows and sliding doors that are translucent Japanese paper on wooden lattice frames, tatami floor mats used to determining the sizes of the rooms, a tokonoma alcove for aesthetic decorations, and even the garden path leading to the room itself, known as roji, is given the utmost attention to detail and careful curation for best efficacy.
The architecture is intended to look rustic, with walls constructed from mud and straw. The use of unmilled posts and beams complimented with bamboo and water reeds to recreate a structure built from natural materials gathered from its surrounding environment. Every detail from the calligraphy or paintings to display, lacquerware, interior and exterior design influences the process of preparing the tea ceremony by the tea master. Each element reflects not only the customers that will be served, but also influenced by the hour of day and in which season of the year. It is in such modest setting that the tea master prepares and serves tea to only a few guests. Therefore, each ceremony triggers the complex contemplation in setting due to its priority to simplify a calm experience in the act of drinking tea. TOP: Traditional Japanese tea ceremony; architecture of a tearoom. LEFT: Traditional tea-making utensils. RIGHT: Serenity of a tea room interior design, enhanced with Traditional Japanese style architecture.
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HISTORY Tea rooms first came about in Japan during the Sengoku Period that is between mid 15th century to early 17th century in a time when Samurai were busy seeking to reclaim what was left of Japan from the chaos of war, defending territories that led to an overseeing to output farms and mills. As many of the poor seek salvation of the afterlife as taught by Zen Buddhism, tea rooms were built by Buddhist monks and samurai for the practice of Zen philosophies that remained as a distinctive feature in Japanese culture in present day. 87
TOP: Ornaments in Roji, garden leading to Chashitsu, tea pavilion. RIGHT: Chashitsu plan; relationship between the different types of entrances. FAR RIGHT: Typical interior layout of a Chashitsu. BOTTOM (L-R): Opening that frams a manicured landscape; human to entrance ratio.
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ARCHITECTURE
the outside, which would be a distraction to one’s concentration. However, when a view is desired, large opening for a manicured garden landscape is precisely framed to detail during construction for future appreciation.
Roji, is the path in the garden surrounding the pavilion, usually accompanied by a waiting bench for guests. Guests could wash their hands in a stone water basin allocated outside the tea room before entering through a small, square door, known as Nijiriguchi, or crawl-in entrance, because one is required to crawl in as a symbol to separate the ‘large’ overwhelming outside world when one enters into the ‘small’ calm room inside.
There is a sunken hearth between the host’s tatami and the guest seating area’s tatami that is used only during colder months and covered away by plain tatami during warmer months.
Inside, there is no furniture and guests are expected to sit on the floor. Hence, explaining its low ceiling design. There are a couple more entrances for different purposes such as the sadoguchi, host entrance, a full-sized sliding door specifically for host to enter and exit while transporting utensils for Mizuya, preparation area. This area is designed elegantly to be out of sight by guests in avoidance to interrupt the tranquility during the tea ceremony. Thus, the tea master would arrange his or her utensils and tea-wares intended to use in accordance.
Tokonoma, also known as scroll alcove, holds a scroll of calligraphy or brush painting and sometimes a simple flower arrangement, Chabana, are the only decoration within the tea room. Guests are seated next to or near the Tokonoma and the host’s area is usually the furthest away from here.
The layout of a Chashitsu is typically measured by floor area, whether larger or small than 4.5 tatami mats. In which, the differences are determined by the style of ceremony conducted, number of guests, decoration and equipment used. The larger Small shoji windows filters the direct natural light coming into the tea rooms are called Hiroma, literally meaning “big room” and room obstructively as its main function is not to provide view from smaller rooms are known as Koma.
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GEORGETOWN HERITAGE PENANG, MALAYSIA.
George Town is the capital city Penang, one of the Northern States in Malaysia. it is located on an island by the Straits of Malacca, also said to be one of the oldest cities in Malaysia since founded by Francis Light, of the British East India Company (EIC) who was a captain and trader, after establishing his presence in the Malay Archipelago. Today, Georgetown is most visited for its many unique street foods that resulted from the many different cultural heritages over the centuries. Along with its incredibly well preserved colonial architecture that had most definitely given this state its popularity amongst tourist and locals alike. The coexistence between the Chinese, Indian and Malay community gave birth to its hybrid cuisine of Asian food that could be best experience here. TOP: Toh Soon Cafe, a famous alley coffee shop in Penang.
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LEFT: Local coffee making scene at Toh Soon Cafe. BOTTOM: Famous food trails in the heart of Penang.
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HISTORY Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. With Asian and European influence constituting a unique architectural and cultural townscape. George Town, along with Malacca, are remarkable examples of historic colonial towns on the Straits of Malacca that demonstrate a succession of historical and cultural influences arising from their former function as trading ports linking East and West. They reflect the coming together of cultural elements from the Malay Archipelago, India and China with those of Europe, to create a unique architecture, culture and townscape.
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On the 7th of July 2008, Georgetown officially became one of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites due to its rich and authentic history since the 18th century the British first colonized the humble straits.
01. Clock Tower 02. Fort Cornwallis 03. War Memorial 04. City Hall 05. Town Hall 06. Convent Light Street School 07. Court Buildings 08. House of Yeap Chor Ee 09. State Assembly Buildings 10. Cathedral of the Assumption 11. Penang State Museum 12. St. George’s Church 13. Goddess of Mercy Temple 14. King Street Temples 15. The Pinang Peranakan Mansion 16. Malayan Railway Building 17. Church Street Pier
Over the past two centuries, the urban landscape of Georgetown tremendously transformed from a bustling trading site to a present town with historical evidence at every corner through a potpourri of style in its architecture heritage. Building styles adopted the indo-Malay Palladian style, AngloIndian Bungalow, Early Shophouses, Neo Classical, Art Deco and many religious buildings over time such as Indian and Chinese Temples, Muslim Mosques and Churches. Each of these architecture style once represented by the various ethnicity of the settlers back in those days, and still is inherited by locals today that derived from Chinese, Indians, local Malays, Indonesians, Siamese and even European descent. This multi-cultural phenomenon of linear traditions harmoniously paired with the impact of the kaleidoscope of arts and architecture definitely puts Penang, Malaysia, on the world map of destinations to be experienced and explored. LEFT: Heritage Sites, Penang. BOTTOM: Typical food cart along the streets of Penang.
18. Mahamariamman Temple 19. Kapitan Keling Mosque 20. Teochew Temple 21. Cheah Kongsi 22. Khoo Kongsi 23. Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh 24. Yap Kongsi Temple 25. Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s Penang Base 26. Islamic Museum 27. St.Xavier’s Insititution 28. Leong Fee’s Mansion 29.Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion 30. Residence of Ku Din Ku Meh
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IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: Illustrating the essence of street food in Penang in contribution to the street life.
HAWKER STREETS A hawker street accommodates many stalls that sell a variety of inexpensive food. This street-side, outdoors al fresco style hawker settings are aligned with many mobile food hawker carts of an array of local cuisine selections. Usually, its seating areas are set up by individual vendors themselves at literally any unoccupied area, whether building walkways when not obstruction pedestrians, or simple by the tar pavement on the road beside the stall. This concept of street hawkers is quintessentially simple pleasures when it comes to eating in many South East Asian cities. That said, some of the best hawker stalls are food icons of Penang, giving it its identity as a culinary must try, and must visit destination. Two of the most well-known food street in Georgetown, Penang are none other than Macalister Road and Chulia street. Macalister Road remains of the main roads in Georgetown today as it was back in the 19th century British colonization. It was named after Colonel Norman Macalister, a confidante to Captain Francis Light. Chulia Street on the other hand is a significant route into Geogetown’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, linking streets due to its length. Whether located within the compound of a coffee shop, or standalone strall on the streets, these roadside hawkers are visited not only by foreigners but locals themselves. 95
HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE CITY HALL Dating back to 1903, this British built Edwardian Baroque style building was formerly the seat for the City Council that is currently in used as the Penang Island City Council. Erected overlooking the historical parade ground with a panoramic view of the Esplanade facing the sea. Since 1982, this two storey building has been listed as a national monument. While renovation took place in 2004, most of its original architectural details is retained while the arcades on the ground level had been enclosed with windows. (FAR RIGHT) KHOO KONGSI Built in the 19th Century, this highly ornamented clanhouse belonged to the large Khoo community, descended from China. It is known to be the grandest clan in Penang as its elaborative architecture reflects the rich heritage and authenticity in setting, that includes an association building, a traditional theatre and a row of houses for its clan members. It is situated in oldest part of the city in Georgetown, Penang, through the narrow entrance lane, accompanied by its old charm, Khoo Kongsi attracts many visitors today. (RIGHT)
RESIDENCE OF KU DIN KU MEH Once the residence of a local Malay Administrator from Kedah, a neighbor state to Penang, named Ku Din, 1848 – 1932. This double storey bungalow was rented out to tenants after his passing and eventually returned to his forth generation descendent who restored the premise to its original state. Today, it offers accommodation to travelers who wish to stay in comfort within the heart of Penang. (LEFT)
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CHEONG FATT TZE MANSION Built by one of the wealthiest tycoon in the 20th century, the architecture style in this mansion is a fusion between the Oriental and Western style for his many wives and children. Today, guided tours are available for visitors keen in reliving the past of life in the mansion, along with explanation of its intricate art in architecture details.
(LEFT)
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FLOATING MARKET BANGKOK, THAILAND.
TOP: Floating Market community. TOP RIGHT: Experience from the perspective of traveling on water. BOTTOM RIGHT: Scenario from aerial view; interrelation of water and land architecture. 98
There are a few preconceptions when floating markets are mentioned. An obvious association to tourism as a ‘must see’ sight when in Bangkok, Thailand, for the ultimate cultural experience, or ‘Venice of the East’ due to its similarity as a water based typology. Essentially, a floating market is a marketplace originated from a time when water transportation was the main commute of a place where people lived. It is a network of boating community where people trade and exchange goods back in the days. While the same concept of a commercial and economical hub still applies to today’s context, floating markets attract many travelers and tourist, as it is still an authentic experience to the local way of living. 99
HISTORY As civilization goes, people started building communities by the side of rivers. The river was used for both local and regional businesses to transport goods for barter and trade. This is most apparent from riverside communities especially along the famous Chao Phraya River and hence became increasing in amount of floating markets across the area and Bangkok, Thailand. In the Ayutthaya Period, 1350-1767, several canals formed a network junction for trade, popularizing the demand for such markets on water. As a result, floating markets became the hubs for social and economic growth in central Thailand for centuries. It was not until the later years during the Rattanakosin Period, 1782-1868, that the development of Bangkok meant construction of railway road and land transportation in replacement to water based travels. Some floating markets were closed down and forced to move, leaving just a handful of floating markets that promoted tourism in present days.
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TOP: Illustration of the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Bangkok. TOP RIGHT: Quaint charm of an old shop found on land, beside the waters of the floating market. BOTTOM RIGHT: Boat kitchen; typical scenario of cooking, preparing, storing and serving of food on a boat.
COMMUNITY Existing communities are slowly being exploited at floating markets. This is an apparent paradox in retaining the authenticity of local culture to economical contribution of financial growth for a better living conditions. The importance of floating markets being major tourist attraction plays a role in cultural and physical change, as well as societal perception when on one end the efforts to make a living is at stake and on the other is efforts in conserving cultural heritage, instead of giving in to the socio-economical development of a particular region. In the end, floating markets along canals will continuously meet the demand as a famous tourist destination when visiting in Bangkok, Thailand.
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OCEANIA
NEW ZEALAND
The aboriginal tribe of Maori in the settlement that expresses their relationship with nature through its unique tribal art and architecture. In addition to that, the exploration of the aesthetics of craft-works and architecture details in their cookhouses and storehouses that plays important functions to its society.
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NEW ZEALAND
MAORI
NEW ZEALAND.
Between 1250 and 1300 CE, the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand settled in isolation. Arrived by canoe voyages, the word Māori means “normal” or “ordinary” is used in identifying themselves as “people of the land”. HISTORY As their name suggests, the derivation of the expression of the people’s relationship with nature and area of the land, developing their own unique language, culture, distinctive forms of art, such as wooden craft-works, architectural ornaments and performing arts, religious beliefs and traditions over the years in an organized social structure. These social inhabitants were more commonly known as tribes with Polynesian heritage, were also known as pre-European settlers of New Zealand. RIGHT: Cultural art & tribal people; elaborate wood-carving design on building façade. BOTTOM: Elevated storehouses, Pātaka.
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Aforementioned, these people lived in an organized social structure within a tribe. A hapū, sub-tribe, is formed consisting of a few whānau, extended family members. Each hapū is liable not only for their own defense in battles, but they work with each other to gather resources for survival and ensuring a sufficient food production for surplus. In general, the people of Māori can be classified into 3 classes: rangatira, superior ruling families; tūtūa, commoners; and mõkai, slaves. However, there is a special name for artisans with special skills, knowledge and artistic contribution called the tohunga.
ARTS & ARCHITECTURE Whare, is the standard home for sleeping, architecturally constructed with a floor area of approximately 2m x 3m of an elevated earthen floor, with a low roof and a single low opening as its door, without any windows. Construction materials varied between raupo reeds, flax and totara bark for roof shingles, depending on geographical areas of availability. Whare were built based on the consideration of the natural environment such as those that were built partially sunken into the ground for better insulation purpose in colder areas in the North Island. The chief’s whare was similar in design except larger, usually with a full headroom and a small window and a semi-closed front porch, sometimes used as a place to congregate to settle conflicts within the tribe. 105
STOREHOUSE One of the most important building structures of the M훮ori is the P훮taka, storehouse. These were huts used to store food, dried goods, supplies and equipment such as fishing nets amongst their prized possessions. Varied in sizes, these huts were built elevated from ground for protection, intentionally unreachable by predators or pests. The floor slab often raised by one or more poles and is accessible by a removable ladder. Larger storehouses were called pa훮taka, smaller ones were known as purangi or kawiu. Every hut is different in detail from roof finish to its ornaments of carved designs. The distinctive and unique carved designs were usually only elaborated at the front of the storehouse, at the threshold of the porch, before entering the main interior body.
COOKHOUSE A K훮uta, is a designated area for preparing and cooking food. It is often outdoors, within the compound of the house. Constructed as a simple shelter with thatched roof on supporting posts, its temporary walls were made by stacks of wood that are used as firewood for cooking. Women took charge in the cookhouse and preferred to cook out in the opened air; meals were most often eaten outside too. In any case whereby food needs to be served inside the house to special guests, it has to be placed in a narrow space specifically allocated in the center of the premise as one enters and is on no account be place where they sleep. Such custom highlights the value of spaces of these people when it comes to functional usage in terms of activities. ORNAMENTS Significantly Maori, the carved wooden land pole (LEFT) known as the Pouwhenua is used by these indigenous people to mark territorial boundaries throughout New Zealand. Highly artistically designed through its carvings, every pole tells a story in association with their tribal cultural heritage between ancestral bonds with the natural environment of inhabitant.
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TRADITIONAL COOKING METHOD Although modern cooking facilities are available these days, traditional Māori still practice the cooking method using hāngi, an earth oven (LEFT). Hāngi is created by digging a shallow pit in the earth, followed by the layering of hot rocks and water for fire and steam; meat is placed on the rock, topped with vegetables and covered by a layer of leaves or woven mats and lastly a layer a soil covers the sunken oven to trap steam from escaping, enabling the cooking process to take place.
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CONCLUSION
OUTCOME OF ANALYSIS
In conclusion, the outcome can be summarized in the 11 points of analysis highlighted in the following discussion. All of which are interrelated in the multidisciplinary aspects of architecture coexisting with people and food in retrospective settings. This study aims to gain insight to the importance of food and settings on various scales on the world atlas through the prior exploration of early civilization and origins of the people in its great influence on modern day urbanization and development. Contemporary architecture is a progress made through the understanding of vernacular methods in construction and design. As mentioned previously, the role of food in this study acts as the catalyst to initiate a dialogue of cultural background in retrospective settings on a global scale, from humble local beginnings.
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GEOGRAPHY + LANDSCAPE
The earliest form of spatial analysis in the field of science is what we call Geography. It correlates the basis of symbiosis between the land and inhabitant relationship. In understanding the natural human complexity in relation to a physical setting, this area of study further branches out into Physical Geography, in which focuses on natural environmental and landscape characteristics; Human Geography focuses on behavioral patterns in shaping societies. By combining both sub-fields, integrated geography is important to the way people come together with the environment in consideration of history and culture of its land inhabitants throughout the course of time. In the study of this thesis when exploring the agricultural success of the ancient Inca civilization located in Peru, South America, it was the fact that the people worked with the land, incorporating its natural mountainous landscape into terraces of irrigated canals for drainage that resulted in its advanced
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farming technology. Alongside their knowledge in the land fertility to the crop rotation methods and the efficiency of a food storage system built on hills in each province had proven a remarkable architectural achievement as an outcome of working with the land, especially during harsh climate conditions that would concern the destroy of their food source. When it comes to water landscape in the history of civilization, communal settlements resides nearby for obvious source of food from the river. Development of water transportation often results in trade and a rise in economy. In precedents of the floating market in Bangkok, Thailand, and turquoise waters of the Venetian canals in Venice, Italy, the novelty of its history in physical aesthetics is evident to the accomplishment of a harmonious relationship between the people and its geographical landscape.
HERITAGE + HISTORY
The evidence of past events in recorded documents play an important role in investigating human development from historical period until present times. This is because it provides evidential facts of societal development in places and settings that proves the origins of a particular heritage. Through the understanding of historical events in geographical locations of a continent, a country or a region due to a cause and effect phenomena gives the inhabitants of the land a certain identity that narrates a sense of purpose of existence. Heritage sites are usually attached with a highly valued significance, whether of national, political, cultural or historical importance to the society. There are many ways to define a heritage site. One of which includes physical monuments or artifacts related to an intangible attribution by ancient tribes. Another type that characterizes a heritage site may be due to its natural inheritance of a geological landscape area
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unique to that of others in the world. In many chapters of this study, heritage sites discussed mostly relates to that of the UNESCO certified world heritage sites that contributes more cultural heritage legacies in efforts to preserve and conserve its importance to humanity and its future generations. Attempts to address the interrelationship between the food trail of local delicacies to its many heritage sites in Georgetown, Penang, situated in the Northern part of West Malaysia, is apparent to the culture of locals and visitors to embark on the journey of indulging food while informing oneself about the rich historical evidences of colonization and people of the land. Another example can be depicted from the indigenous Maori tribe in New Zealand of Polynesian heritage that possesses significantly carved wooden ornamental artifacts in territorial division in association with stories of ancestral bonds with nature.
CULTURE + TRADITIONS
There are many ways to define culture notably in the sense of habits, arts, and laws customary to a group of people within a society. Ultimately, culture comes down to a social emphasize on habitual expression with the intention to give meaning or purpose to its practice. Culture explains the lifestyle distinction of a particular group of people- tribe, religion, or racial background, at a particular time. Accompanied by the ideology of traditions, the specific culture and traditions of a unique group of people is the significance of its origins and past, which are carried forward by future descendants. Traditions may be expressed in forms of literature, such as poems, songs or art pieces in the form of paintings, handmade ornaments and even performances that comprises of dance and music. Architectural structures and crafts with specific techniques are also used to portray one’s culture with embodied knowledge and evidence of its origins. On top of these, food is an important contribution to one’s culture as it is the essence to a cultural vitality when identifying the distinction of a social group from one another.
In the Western aspects covered in the chapters of this thesis study, settings in the United States and United Kingdom portrayed the mannerism of eating patterns demanding for quick and easy meals, as evidence in American diners and British pubs. Both of which somewhat depicts scenarios of isolated diners grabbing a bite, promoting fast and easy food. This was even an inspiration for the famous painting Nighthawks, by artist Edward Hopper, in his expression to portray the culture of people dining conveniently in an inexpensive restaurant at the corner of a street.
Contrary to that, the Eastern aspects covered in chapters such as Japan and Korea demonstrated the detailed of sequence in process when it comes to traditional rituals. The tedious spatial layout planning in a Japanese tearoom from its separated entrance for host and customer in relation to different functional purposes and its architectural landscape leading to the tearoom itself is curated for the ultimate cultural experience along the journey. While in the royal dining court of Korean practices a precise dining setting To compare between Eastern and arrangement as customary ritual. Western cultures specifically in food and architecture, it can be seen through diet, Regardless, whether a retrospective cuisine, rituals of eating patterns in the custom or stereotype association, culture setting of a dining experience, celebrative and traditions are key factors to identity of food harvest festivals and sequencing in people in places. ritual practices. The symbolism of food common habits.
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SOCIO-ECONOMY + CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Social activities involved in the food culture around the world affects highly on its economical status. This is especially so when local community makes way for global change in increasing international choices due to urbanization. The convenient availability in the vast varieties of food choices and cuisines not only dilutes local identity, but also the lost in connection with local culture, while succeeding in socio-economical recognition.
efforts in emphasizing the essence of cultural identity attached to local lifestyle while promoting development growth in commercial activities to recreate an artificial nostalgia in a physical environment remains a paradox. The interdependent relationship between culture and economy in societal growth calls for an architectural design agenda to incorporate the empowerment of social participation as part of modern development, especially when introducing infrastructure to benefit the The study of marketplaces such as in Souq Waqif, productivity of their lifestyle. Doha and floating markets in Bangkok, the
GLOBALIZATION The involvement of international integration when it comes to a global food culture movement inevitably results in a universal, mass produced franchised phenomenon in food outlets, recognizably identical regardless of locations. The standardized experience of the fast and easy lifestyle consequently creates an ambience of indifference and indistinguishable setting of a space while being efficiently in furniture selection and functionality.
customers in result to remain its vitality on the streets. Having said that, the influence of globalization on a positive sight is seen in the reproduction and replication of architecture typology in form and function such as American diner and old English pubs interior design. Elements such as black and white tiled flooring, chalkboard style menu are mass-produced globally as a symbol to identify the setting with its intended culture.
In many ways, globalization snatches the essence of local life in replacement of modernity. The discussion of Makola Market in Accra, Ghana, revealed how the local people respond to the introduction of a structured building in ambition to organize its streetscape. However, its efforts failed to foresee the communal bond amongst vendors and
Today, it is very common to find Chinatown, Little India in Western countries while beer gardens and bars sprawl in many Eastern mega cities such as in Hong Kong and Singapore. and one may not need to go to France for the best baguette or macaroons because globalization made franchising a convenience of the 21st century lifestyle.
GENTRIFICATION Gentrification of an area as an aftermath of urbanization due to a population shift increases street values and properties of interest. The investment in specific local businesses and attractions affects the dynamics of its local community when faced with societal shift and are forced to readapt in the gentrified environment.
between boulangerie, cafÊ and patisserie; and the romantic setting of historical buildings on both banks of the Venetian canals evidentially altered its sociocultural patterns of locality, values and demographics in the particular district. The lifestyle change in social, economical and environmental health impacts the built environment to create more vibrant and As the few case studies discussed identifiable spaces for tourist attractions. regarding the gentrification of the Middle Eastern Souq Waqif in the center of Doha, This phenomenon may be apparent to a Qatar, historically a marketplace for trading conflict of interest amongst the locals in and exchanging good; streets along Paris making a living while preserving local aligned with elevations of alternating façade identity in efforts to cater for tourism. 113
ECOLOGY
The role of Ecology in food production is a heated discussion in today’s context as more evidence had proven massive environmental degradation due to animal agriculture. The inequality of food security amongst nations worldwide and the bizarre food mile situation resulted in the concern of many professions including urban planners and architects in its contribution to environmental damage. While many put efforts in urban farming and methods of green space proposal in the concrete jungle of cities, portions of this thesis aims to take its readers down the retrospective routes in understanding how people of the past had cooperated in their physical environment of different geographical topography, climate condition and waterscape. Perhaps identifying mishaps in choices along the way in order for urbanization and the development of small-scale production into corporate mass production, to how we got where we are today. For example, the nomadic Bedouin people in the land of Saudi Arabia were derived from water and reliable source of animal protein. As a result, they practice a vegetarian diet of dried fruits and preserved vegetables while
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making use of the desert heat as a practical cooking method. Meanwhile, its temporary tent architecture caters for the aspects of their cultural and religious customs along with social interaction amongst one another through the pleasantries of serving food and dining together. Besides the Bedouin nomads, the achievement in advanced agricultural techniques of the Inca tribe in South America through crop rotation revealed the people’s understanding of their land fertility and practice to work collaboratively instead of against it. As a result, the success in its civilization leaves us with an exemplary history to respect land usage nature has to offer. On another note, regions such as Venice and Bangkok that took advantage of its water bodies to become its main transportation route at that time exhibit a sense of harmonious behavior in the physical environment of both built and natural settings. As a result, the outcome of ecology is a harmonious respect inappreciating the beauty of historical Structures in architecture with the natural environment.
TOURISM
Tourism is an act that encourages foreign experience and is even more apparent to the growth of socio-economical development of a particular place. In demand to connect with local culture and to experience different lifestyles of different people around the world, food is an important catalyst to aid in tourist attractions. As food is a vital form of life, the luxury of indulging exotic food across the globe is often an experience acquainted with vernacular architecture. In doing so, knowledge in architectural history and cultural backgrounds about an ethnic group is gained. Hence, tourism is also a tool for education. In Malaysia, tourism is advertised through the authentic experience of diverse cuisines by its people different cultural backgrounds. The important architectural aspect in which heritage sites are exposed in search of visiting the country signifies the link of food, people and architecture complimenting one another. As aforementioned, food plays the role in attracting visitors to experience places.
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Besides Malaysia, tourism can be seen in almost all chapters in this documented study, such as in Taiwan when visiting the one of a kind Jiu Fen district that is built on the sloping terrains. People flock to this area for its variety of food it has to offer, at the same to experience the uniqueness of its physical form in architecture. The aboriginal tribe of Maori in New Zealand boosts tourism for the country because people are curious and keen to know about its ethnicity. In addition, to explore and discover the aesthetics of its wooden carving with symbolic meanings and the special methods of cooking and food storing that informs how its society thinks and work together from the history of time until present day assimilation to modernity. Whilst gaining insight to how people had worked with the land in Peru, the ancient Inca civilization enlightens visitors about its natural landscape in its geographical region and its efforts to produce and store food.
ADS+MEDIA In similar association to eco-tourism, the act of publicizing through advertisements and numerous forms of social media in promoting destinations through food cultures encourages the visit and experience of historical and cultural culinary significant of a place. For instance, it is almost customary to eat haggis when visiting Edinburgh and to drop by Central Perk café in New York City as promoted by popular television series F.R.I.E.N.D.S. The influence of social media on popular culture has a psychological outcome on one’s perception. Visual appeals bombard information that promotes trends and the ideology of a certain country’s culture. Possibly dislocating facts and misinterpreting the genuine essence of a place, it is debatable for global cultural exposure through media, encouraging tourism to visit places while accepting a tempered lost in cultural heritage. Albeit not entirely the case, precedents
show the effects of ads and media in contribution to the exposure of cultures from all around the world without having the need to leave the comfort of one’s country. The recreated settings in retrospection of an all American diner in countries outside of the States and contemporary bar designs influenced highly on old English pubs are dining premises become a privilege to be celebrated by all. Also due to globalization as previously mentioned, people no longer have to travel afar to have a cup of Italian coffee, or French bread with the aid of public advertisement of franchise availability practically anywhere. While million dollar advertisements spread ubiquitously across major cities, it is also important for the media to promote sustainability in urban eating habits by informing carbon footprint and environmental contributing in food trends based on the choices made.
ART+ARCHITECTURE Throughout the exploration of artistic contribution in the continents across the globe, these creative pieces represent the culture and history of its people in its place. Historically, tribal elements in wood carving of the Maori tribe are seen all of its architectural ornamental details. Similarly, the Chinese culture that uses red coloured decorations in festivities as a symbol of welcoming prosperity and fortune. Places such as homes, shops, streets and temples are covered with red lanterns, and red paper calligraphy writings.
The origins of Indian style architecture and ornamental decorations are applied in many restaurants all over the world with the objective to recreate the beauty of Indian art in a space. Although this recreated setting is for the purpose of cultural significance, traditional art in architecture cannot be denied of its influence on contemporary design. For example, old English pubs with modern day twist; in replacement of chic furniture and latest design trends is a reflection of its original functions made to suit modern times.
In retrospect to the Sardine festival celebrated annually in Lisbon, streets are also generously decorated from balconies to street lamps, its national pride of the beautiful azulejo tiles could also be appreciated by many tourists and visitors alike during this celebration.
Today, many ethnical elements are link to a specific group of people such as shoji screen in Japanese architecture, ceramic tiled pitch roof of Chinese and Korean style designs and even bread shelves and huge shop front display as adapted from the charming façade in Parisian streets.
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PLACEMAKING + IDENTITY The afore discussion can be concluded in this chapter of the importance of food in place-making. The multi-disciplinary fields reviewed food system of the past and present in the complexity of social, political, and economical cultures woven together in shaping a city. The main interest of place-making is the potential of well-being of the local community in creating an inspiring public space for social and commercial interaction. Moulding the characteristics of a place on various scale levels whether continentally or regionally should begin with the recognition of what the place has to offer. By understanding its historical backgrounds, culture of its people and geographical location are vital aspects to consider prior to place-making. Efforts should be made to assimilate the diversity and social behavioural patterns of its existing community.
Food is without a doubt an essential element that enhances the quality of a space, while strengthening the health of a society through the symbiosis of urbanization and its attributions. As stated by the author of Food City, C.J.Lim:
“Whilst in many cities have retained a homogenous and independent food culture, often defiantly so, the vast majority of modern cities have become less singular in their tastes and instead have come to embrace a pluralistic food culture consisting of numerous competing culinary cultures from around the world. Patterns of consumption in cities have subsequently shifted, revealing a trend towards a culturally The nature of this thesis suggests the role of varied diet. food in giving a sense of identity to a place. Through which, food is manifested in its architecture with the intentions to reconcile the relationship of social habits and eating patterns. This is done so by identifying the essence of a place in perspective of food, whether in a formal approach such as restaurants, marketplaces and teahouses or informal settings such as street vendors and domestic use of spaces for cooking and dining in homes.
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‌The composition of urban food cultures is of paramount importance not just to the future prosperity of the cities in themselves but to the condition of the global food system as a whole.�
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