DST 60304
CONTEMPORARY DESIGN THEORIES
TEE HUI QING 0334497 SEMESTER 4
Table of Contents
ASSIGNMENT 1: ARCHITECTURAL MANIFESTO (30%) ASSIGNMENT 2: CASE STUDY PRESENTATION (30%) ASSIGNMENT 3: FINAL ESSAY (40%)
ASSIGNMENT 1 ARCHITECTURAL MANIFESTO (30%) VERSIONING BY SHoP
v
SHoP
VERSIONING DST 60304 CONTEMPORARY DESIGN THEORIES ASSIGNMENT 1: ARCHITECTURE MANIFESTO Name: Tee Hui Qing (Joyce) Student ID: 0334497 Programme: BA (Honours) Interior Architecture
Lecturer: Ms. Aida, Ms. Hanim Total Word Count: 452 Words
Turnitin Report Page | 2
Index/ Rubrix Page | 3
o. 1
2
3
4
Content Introduction a) Author’s Background/ Mind frame b) Locality, Time and Socio-Political c) Triggering Events/ Ideal Genesis Manifesto a) Core Technology and Spill Over Ideologies b) Illustrations/diagrams to explain the ideals c) Key Works and Adoption to Society Critical Commentary a) After effect of manifesto b) Your thought/opinion on the ideals c) Conclusion Reference
Page 3
3-5
5-6
6
1. Introduction a) Author’s Background/ Mindframe Page | 4
Chris Sharples- Founder of ShoP
SHoP, is made up of initials by Christopher Sharples and William Sharples, the twins; Coren Sharples, William’s wife, and Kimberly Holden and Greg Pasquarelli, the couple. They believe that architecture should include history, culture, politics, finance and technology as their backgrounds varied. (Polsky, S, 2014) b) Locality, Time and Socio-Political Condition SHoP Architects firm was founded in 1966 near City Hall in Lower Manhattan, New York. (Cornachio, J, 2018) Despite the norm of defying the close mixture of art and commerce, SHoP believed the otherwise as they thought design flourished with the constraints of money as it requires great problemsolving skills. (Interview: Gregg Pasquarelli, 2018) c) Triggering Events/ Ideal Genesis “Interview: Gregg Pasquarelli” (2018) mentioned that SHoP use versioning to explain the expansion of potentials towards design using the means of technology with computer-aided technology to solve manpower and budget problems.
2. Manifesto a) Core Ideology & spill over ideologies Breaking away from the conventional rendering or elevation approach, SHoP applies technology, Page | 5 computer-aided technology (CAD) and digital fabrication, to explain the flourishing and sustainable design (Polsky, S, 2014) and utilizes problems as the turning point for a better design. (2018 Middle East Conference - Gregg Pasquarelli “Beauty & Finance: Post Mannerism in Skyscrapers.”, 2019)
b) Illustrations/diagrams to explain the ideals CNC Technology & Fabrication of structure
Figure 1: CNC Cutting Machine
Figure 2: Fabrication lab
Figure 3: Subtractive Manufacturing
Klinger, K. R., & Vermillion, J. (2006) said that SHoP replaces the stereotype of using traditional 2D drawings with 3D exploded computer model generated diagrams to describe the location of assemblage in assisting the building construction.
Waterfront
c) Key works & Adoption to society
Figure 4, 5 & 6: Towers in Southeast Corner and Northwest Corner respectively connected with sky bridge with park
Figure 7: Mechanical Equipment
•
Figure 8 & 9: Live copper design on building façade
American Copper Building is two towers on East Side of Manhattan on a difficult master plan with a sky bridge connecting them by mechanical equipment. With little budget, SHoP used live copper design on the building façade. Users find the waterfront views amazing and many rented skyline views.
Page | 6
Figure 10: Six-Sided Stars & Hexagons
Figure 11: Exterior (Dark Blue), Interior (Light Blue) Landmark
Figure 12, 13, 14, 15: Convex-flat-concave bronze details on the tower in a series of interconnecting hexagons
Figure 16 & 17: Concave & Convex fluting Base
•
9 Dekalb, got its interior and exterior landmark inspired by a series of six-sided stars and its tower a series of interconnecting hexagons, encircled by convex-flat-concave bronze details all the way up the tower. Concave fluting and the convex fluting formed the base of the 5 stories plasters building. It’s taller than any other skyscrapers in New York.
Page | 7
Figure 18: Each pilaster in a kind of gentle arc as if the building is vanishing in the sky
Figure 19: 26 different shapes and 6 different cream colours of Terracotta
Figure 2: Bronze Filigree, a flat facade but looks like curved fronts
•
111 West 57th Street, uses CNC technology to fabricate the Terracotta plaster of 26 shapes in 6 different cream colours on its facades that looks like a rotating terracotta up the spire with LEDs embedded inside. Serving as a rain screen system, the flat bronze filigree is sighted curved on the glass curtain wall, that makes people admire the merging of contemporary and historical elements together.
3. Critical Commentary a) After effect of manifesto SHoP has undoubtedly become the award-winning architecture firm with its beliefs on utilising 3D and digital fabrication to construct a prominent building, convincing the conventional critics to accept the fast-changing technology into part of their architecture projects. b) Your thought/opinion on the ideals I really admire SHoP’s forseen vision into replacing conventional architecture drawings into using 3D accurate visualisation to bring the architecture design to another level with much better efficiency. c) Conclusion Be wise with utilising technology to break the limits in architecture and design and take consideration into creating sustainable yet aesthetic buildings that appeals to everyone.
Page | 8
Reference Page | 9 2018 Middle East Conference - Gregg Pasquarelli “Beauty & Finance: Post Mannerism in Skyscrapers.” (2019, May 21). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkON1EscOSg
Cornachio, J. (2018, October 8). Talking SHoP: How One Firm is Reshaping New York City’s Skyline. Journal. https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/talking-shop-architects/ Interview: Gregg Pasquarelli. (2018, July 25). The Architectural League of New York. https://archleague.org/article/interview-gregg-pasquarelli/ Klinger, K. R., & Vermillion, J. (2006). Visualizing the Operative and Analytic: Representing the Digital Fabrication Feedback Loop and Managing the Digital Exchange. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 4(3), 79–97. https://doi.org/10.1260/147807706778658856 Polsky, S. (2014, May 28). How SHoP Became NYC's Go-To Megaproject Architects. Curbed NY. https://ny.curbed.com/2014/5/28/10094952/how-shop-became-nycs-go-to-megaproject-architects
ASSIGNMENT 2 CASE STUDY PRESENTATION (30%) GARDEN CITY CONCEPT BY EBENEZER HOWARD
PRESENTATION SLIDES
UTOPIAN PARADISE GARDEN CITY CONCEPT BY EBENEZER HOWARD
Utopian Paradise Group 5
Ebenezer Howard 1850 - 1928
Yuen Hoh Yan Pak Mei Kei Tee Hui Qing Nelson Bay Xin Yi Lim Yong Jian Lai Chun Hou
Garden City Concept
1902
ORIGIN
End of 19th Century
Robert Owen
Smaller communities SOLUTION
IDEATION
Industrialisation Gap between Rural and Urban Beginning of 20th Century
Ebenezer Howard
Garden City
Author Of
Revised to
1898
1902
Garden City Movement + Urban Cities
- Initiated in 1898 by Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom
= Garden City Greenbelts
Aim: To Attain BeneďŹ ts of But to avoid disadvantages of both.
+ Urban Cities
Countryside
CORE IDEOLOGY
British Parliament
Idea of social reform
Farmer
Environmentalist mindset
Prime years in 2nd Industrial Revolution
Ebenezer Howard’s Influences
Propose electricity as main power source
‘Looking Backward’ by Edward Bellamy 1888 Combine best aspects of cities and countryside
‘Progress and Poverty’ by Henry George
“To study the city as a whole, linking the relationship between urban and rural areas”
Cons of TOWN
Cons of COUNTRY
1.Distance from work
1.Dullness 1.Beauty of nature- peace all over the places
2.Closely out of nature
2.Lack of Society 2. Social Opportunity- cumulative growth 3. Fields and parks of easy accessequal chances
3.Isolation from crowds
3.Low wage
4. Low rents, Low rates, Low prices 5. Pure air and water- good drainage
4.High rents
5.Dirty air
6. Bright homes & gardens- no smoke, no slums
4. Lack of drainage
5. Lack of amusements
7. Freedom- cooperation 6.Slums
6.General decay
Combination of pros becomes a
TOWN- COUNTRY
1. Avoid the downfalls of industrial cities
Garden City Ideology
2. Break the stronghold of capitalism and lead to cooperative socialism
4. Reorganised with networks of garden cities
“A town designed for healthy living and industry; of a size that makes possible of full measure of social life; but not larger; surrounded by a rural belt; the whole of the land being in public ownership or held in trust for community�
3. Free of slums
Garden City Movement Purpose of Garden City: completely reform the capitalist urban form
1. Accommodate 32,000 people 2. 6000 acres. (2400 hectares) 3. Planned on a concentric pattern with open spaces, public parks and six radial boulevards, 120 ft (37m wide, extending from the centre. 4. The garden city would be self-sufďŹ cient and when it reached full population, another garden city would be developed nearby. 5. Howard envisages a cluster of several garden cities as satellites of a central of 58,000 people, linked by road and rail. 6. To reduce smoke and dust pollution in cities, electricity must be used as a power source, and municipal waste should be used in agriculture. 7. Various factories, warehouses, and markets are built in the outermost area of the city. 8. One side faces the outermost ring road and the other side is a ring-shaped railway branch line, so transportation is very convenient.
PERIOD & KEY FIGURES
PERIOD & KEY FIGURES Early 20th Century, Letchworth
1898, England
Ebenezer Howard published his article titled “To-Morrow”, which introduced the concept of a Garden City. It was revised in 1902.
Raymond Urwin designed Letchworth based on Howard’s principles on a significantly smaller scale.
Late 20th Century, Putrajaya
aQidea Architecture designed Putrajaya to be the Federal Territory of Malaysia, with the intent of relieving traffic and improving government efficiency.
Early 20th Century, London
Johnathan Carr developed Bedford Park into the world’s first garden suburb emphasising on living spaces.
Mid 20th Century , Singapore
Lee Kuan Yew proposed this vision to improve the health of people. Among the initiatives taken , various parks were built with connectors to join them.
Early 20th Century, Moscow
Boris Sakulin designed the “three rings” of Moscow emphasising on technical and economic progress. The total area spans more than 2500km2.
KEY WORKS & ADAPTATION TO SOCIETY
Garden City Association of America (1899) Founded by Howard to promote the idea of Garden Cities as proposed in 1898. The name was later changed to Garden Cities and Town Planning Association (TCPA), to include the planning of town cities.
Objectives (TCPA, 2009): -Secure a decent, well designed home for everyone, in a human-scale environment combining the best features of town and country. -Empower people and communities to inuence decisions that affect them. -Improve the planning system in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
Letchworth Garden City
Welwyn Garden City
Letchworth Garden City
Planned by Raymond Urwin based on Howard’s principles
Broadway Gardens
Hertfortshire, England Population: 33600 (2012)
One of the first “New Towns” in UK, and has UK’s first roundabout
Railway systems were replaced by main roads
Social Cities in the original manifesto were replaced with roundabouts
St. Francis’ College
Town Hall
Coronation Fountain
The Campus
Gosling Sports Park
Planned by Howard in 1920 after Letchworth
Welwyn Garden City Hertfortshire, England Population: 51735 (2016)
One of the “New Towns” in UK under the “New Towns Act 1946”
Intertwined with tree-line boulivards with a Neo-Georgian building as a centre
Garden Cities
New Urbanism
Inspired
Promotes environmentally friendly habits through walkable neighbourhoods with different housing and job types.
Principles of Intelligent Urbanism
A theory of urban planning to guide city planning and urban designs, including balance with nature, households, and appropriate technology.
CRITICAL COMMENTARY
Garden City became reference to many modern urban planning
Controlled city development
Pros
The concept cares for the people’s living quality
Cons Lack of dynamic, exibility, openness.
Development of urban green space into living places. Great sense of community
Wise control of urban space, use of clean energy and waste recycling.
Only applied to the construction of new cities in the suburbs
Society dominated by capitalism. Inconsistent with contemporary urban development concepts
SPECULATION OF UTOPIA IN LOCAL CONTEXT
Putrajaya & New Delhi
Application of concept of garden city
Putrajaya
Introduction ●
Emphasis on physical form: terrain, vegetation, landscape & water bodies
Largest comprehensive urban development project since 1957
●
Divided into 20 areas and further divided by roads/ green spaces
●
Retains the essence of Malaysia's traditional heritage
●
Strengthen management of urban activities
●
"Pastoral-Smart City" planning features maintained
●
Promote social progress by improvement of communication technology & information technology infrastructure
●
1/3 is natural forest gardens , lakes and wetlands
●
Core areas (5): Government, Mixed development, Citizen & Cultural, Commercial, Sports & Leisure
●
Remaining areas account for 25.5% of total land (15): Community Commercial Point & Public facilities on the periphery with community planning ；4.2km boulevard (City's Spine): accommodate 1) 500000 daytime population 2) 350000 nighttime population
●
Administrative center of Malaysia
●
Economical Context ●
Reflect Malaysia's natural and cultural heritage while incorporating the latest scientific and technological achievements
Social Context Improvement or Degradation
●
Ubiquitous local architecture and design
●
Greatly promote the integrity and cohesion of the community
●
Good foundation for the implementation of rural city concept
Political Context ●
Putrajaya is the administrative center of Malaysia. Prime Minister Mahathir at that time replaced many small buildings in the original plan with many magnificent buildings that we can see now.
Application of concept of garden city
Introduction ●
New Delhi
●
●
Construction of New Delhi began in 1911, became the capital since 1931. British architect (Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens) was the planner.
●
Policy of expropriating land on a large scale, and the government took all the land down for planning.
●
Considered large number of vehicles traveling from and to the city center.
●
Rural areas are left as green areas in each border area, and other places must be urbanized.
●
Supports the heavy traffic, especially helpful for famous Tuktuk in the tourism sector to travel in the busy road.
●
All land must be redeveloped and high-density development.
●
Detailed rules for cooperative housing for low- and middle-income people.
Improvement or Degradation
Social Context
●
Detailed rules for the mixed use of land, increase density, and have more intensive land use.
Economical Context
Follows Western urban planning theories.
●
●
These compact houses are convenient and comfortable with the climate. Prosperous business.
Political Context ●
The construction of New Delhi by the British was a result of influence from the Garden City Movement.
Putrajaya
New Delhi
Economical Context Economical Context ●
Reflect Malaysia's natural and cultural heritage while incorporating the latest scientific and technological achievements
●
Considered large number of vehicles traveling from and to the city center.
●
Supports the heavy traffic, especially helpful for famous Tuktuk in the tourism sector to travel in the busy road.
Political Context Improvement or Degradation
●
Putrajaya is the administrative center of Malaysia. Prime Minister Mahathir at that time replaced many small buildings in the original plan with many magnificent buildings that we can see now.
Improvement or Degradation
Political Context ●
The construction of New Delhi by the British was a result of influence from the Garden City Movement.
Reference List 1. Gatarić, D., Belij, M., Đerčan, B., & Filipović, D. (2019). The origin and development of Garden cities: An overview. Zbornik Radova - Geografski Fakultet Univerziteta u BHoward, E. (1902). 2. Garden Cities of To-morrow (2nd ed.). London: Swan Sonnenschein &.eogradu, 67–1, 33–43. https://doi.org/10.5937/zrgfub1901033g 3. Tizot, J. (2018, June 1). Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City Idea and the Ideology of Industrialism. OpenEditionJournals. https://journals.openedition.org/cve/3605 4. Vernet, N, Coste, A. (2017). Gardem Cities of the 21st Century: A Sustainable Path to Suburban Reform. Angers:France 5. Sarachma. (2016). A Critique of Howard’s Garden City Movement. https://zoningthegardenstate.wordpress.com/2016/10/04/a-critique-of-howards-garden-city-movement/
6. TCPA. (2009). Towns and Countrysides for a New Age of Challenge: A Manifesto From TCPA. https://www.tcpa.org.uk/
STYLESCAPE
UTOPIAN PARADISE GARDEN CITY CONCEPT BY EBENEZER HOWARD
ASSIGNMENT 3 FINAL ESSAY (40%) CRAZY RICH ASIANS
CONTEMPORARY DESIGN THEORY | DST 60304
TEE HUI QING | 0334497 | 2320 words
INTRODUCTION
“Crazy Rich Asians” is a 2018 American rom-com film directed by Jon M. Chu. This motion pictures talks about how an American-Chinese, Rachel Chu, faces the challenges of dealing with her boyfriend, Nick Young’s wealthy family background when she followed him to his best friend, Colin’s wedding in Singapore. The truth was only revealed when she went to visit her college friend, Peik Lin. As Rachel tried to impose a good impression when Nick introduced
her
to
his
family,
Eleanor,
Nick’s
mother
especially,
was
upset
with
her
appearance and told her privately that she will never be enough for the family. At the bachelorette party, her room was vandalized as she was deemed as a gold-digger. Despite the circumstances, Rachel bravely confronted Eleanor that if one day Nick eventually marries someone who lives up to her standards, it will be because of her selfless love for Nick, a girl she looked down on, who made that happen. In the end, Rachel and Nick received the blessings from Eleanor and earned her respect.
This movie is really inspiring in terms of the movie sets as it plays a broad range over Chinese traditional cultural elements, art nouveau, modern sleek to nature landscaping which are revealed to be just in our own country, Malaysia and Singapore as well. The message of the movie was delivered well as it reveals how one’s bravery and love can surpass money and fame despite one's maipulation and oppression over people from lower class background through his power of money.
"FAME, CULTURE CLASH, CROSS-CLASS ROMANCE"
CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERISTICS
SCOPE AND BACKGROUND STUDIES The movie sets were filmed in both Malaysia and Singapore as the plot in the novel was mainly starring at Singapore itself. As the Young’s family is portrayed one of the richest in Singapore where their affluence was accumulated since the Young’s ancestors’ making in China, it is definitely desirable to pick locations that best show the cultural elements in the interior spaces, such as the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and Tyersall Park.
MALA Cheong
Be-Landa Residence shows
Tyersall
encompasses the harmonious
a
example of Peranakan style.
blend of Chinese and Western
tradtional
architecture
elements
and
Fatt
Tze
where
Mansion
YSIA
porcelain
calligraphy
huge
contrast
as
it
to
the
architectural
It
is
Chinese
designed
was
Park
is
a
refurbished paintings,
emerald
with a more minimalistic and
green
Scottish
sleek approach where colour
wealth,
tones are limited yet causes
with the plot. This is used as
Nouveau stain glass. This is
the
Nick’s grandma’s house for
used as a mah-jong parlour
spacious
where
This is where Eleanor had her
occasion which captures the
bibble study group with the
viewers’
Young's relatives.
glance.
by
balusters
English
and
Rachel
Art
confronts
Eleanor before she leaves.
overall
site
and
to
look
extravagant.
the
that
using
are
complemented
paints
great
which
indicates
matches
blooming
tan
attention
1:42:06
07:33
48:53
1:46:44
07:51
1:11:49
at
well
hua.
one
Not limited to Chinese architectural styles only, precolonial as well as modern architectural elements are also seen in Gardens by the bays and Chijmes. This variety employs great lengths of diversity in terms of design features that best represents how the riches live in luxury environments for audience to have a sight in the opulent lifestyle.
SING Gardens
by
waterfront
the
bay
garden
is
a
APORE
beautiful
installation
with
Chijmes million
is
used
wedding
to of
portrayed Colin
the
Khoo
40 and
temperature controlled domes that house
Araminta Lee where stunning landscaping
thousands of greeneries with waterfall and
of meadows concept was applied to create
lakes.
a dreamy grassland feel that captures the
This
is
where
Colin’s
Wedding
night party was held at where the guests
viewers’ attention at one glance.
have a full blast at the blissful event.
1:30:21
1:29:02
1:27:27
1:27:44
KEY SPACES AND INTERACTION OF SPACES WITH CHARACTERS The key spaces that are selected for this movie would be Be-Landa Residence (Eleanor finds out about Rachel and her lower class background), The Cluny Park (Rachel finds out about Nick's riches and dress up for occasions), Tysersall Park (Eleanor's confrontation to Rachel about her not meeting up to her standards), Four Seasons Langkawai Resorts (Rachel's room get vandalised by the girls and got consoled by Astrid), Chijmes (Khoo couple's garden wedding),
Cheong Fatt Tze
Mansion (Mahjong Scene where Rachel leaves with pride with her mother)
1) Be-Landa Residence (Nick Young’s parents’ residence) Eleanor and the Young relatives were having a bible study group out in the open space when she got to know about Rachel as the relatives received news from
Radio1Asia
in
New
York.
She
called Nick for confirmation about the news, which he just discussed it with 08:42
Rachel.
08:44
07:34
07:59
2) The Cluny Park (Peik Lin’s residence_Goh’s mansion) Rachel visited her college friend, Peik Lin,
who
mansion,
also and
lived had
a
in
an
meal
opulent with
the
Goh’s family, where she got to know Nick’s family’s wealth in Singapore. This is also where Peik Lin helped her to dress up for the several events at Tyersall
Hall
and
Chjimes
for
impression in front of the Youngs.
28:13
good 31:42
27:52
3) Tyersall Park (Young’s ancestral house) At
the
Tan
introduced Eleanor
Hua
Rachel
wasn't
appearance
blooming to
his
impressed
due
to
her
event, family with lower
Nick but her class
background. Eleanor later confronted her privately that she will never be enough for the family during the Jiao Zi occasion, just like how she struggled back then.
1:08:39
50:50
40:34
1:11:03
1:11:41
3
4) Four Seasons Langkawi Resorts (Araminta’s bachelorette’s Party) Amanda hinted Rachel that she won’t be able to adapt to Nick’s high-class family with
her
Rachel
commoner's
later
found
her
background. hotel
room
vandalized by other girls who deemed her as a gold digger, but was comforted by
Astrid
at
the
seaside.
Astrid
confessed about his husband's affair.
53:27
1:02:05
also 57:02
1:03:50
5) Chijmes (Colin and Araminta’s Weddding) Rachel received tremendous attention for the
gown
she
wore.
She
then
sat
with
Princess Intan (Araminta’s mother) in the first row confidently despite getting the refusal
to
sit
with
the
Young
family.
When Araminta walked down the aisle, Rachel and Nick exchanged glances and 1:26:56
he knew she was the right one for him.
1:23:11
1:24:05
1:26:40
1:28:35
6) Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Mahjong Parlour ) Rachel bravely inquired Eleanor about the reason she disliked her. She told Eleanor she would leave Nick as she doesn't want him to lose his mother and it would be because of her selfless love that allowed Nick to marry someone up to
her
convinced
standards her
one
worth
day. and
Eleanor's respect in the end.
1:42:10
This earned 1:42:07
1:46:51
SPATIAL ANALYSIS
Floral Motif Paintings
38:41
48:30
Kitchen
Courtyard
43:33
37:45
43:52
41:04
Left Hall
Astrid
Floor Plan
was
heartbroken finding
out
left
text channel.
Rachel being shocked
after
after stepping into
Michael's
affair via his phone's
Right Hall
Nick's ancestral house 38:13
37:32
Main Hall
as she has no idea about his family's affluence.
Grass
Orchids
1:25:50
1:26:51
Main Stage
1:25:28
1:27:08
Right Corridor
Sound Control
1:24:21
1:24:46
1:27:46
1:24:25
Layout Plan
Left Hall
Main Entrance
Eleanor gave Rachel a
Rachel
cold shouler by saying
Young's family on how
that she is not willing to
well she has dressed up
sit
with
her
wedding hall.
in
the
1:22:33
1:23:11
Reception Hall
surprised
for the wedding.
the
08:11
Stairs to indoor
09:20
07:52
Pool Deck
08:27
Pavillion 07:34
07:41
07:54
Private Pool
Front View Layout Plan
After
the
spread
of
Eleanor tried to stay calm after
news
being
about Rachel's existence, the
plan
Young's relatives's curiousity aroused
and
reported
matter to Eleanor.
this
informed of
bringing
girlfriend 07:31
Front Facade
to
about her
Colin's
wedding in Singapore.
Nick's
secretive upcoming
CRITICAL COMMENTARY Given the need to showcase the powerful and richness in Young's culture, the backdrop at Tyersall Park has to be perfect at the Peranakan culture detailings. Usage of Blue-green porcelain, patterned rugs/tiles and chinese paintings of former warriors/sceneries are a must to depict the characteristics of Peranakan architecture. This can be clearly seen during the Tan Hua blooming occassion and Jiao Zi making scene where the usage of art nouveau furniture to the jade emerald green paint on the stairs and walls is utilised to give off its symmetrical and grandeur interior design.
Moreover, luxury can also be portrayed in bringing mother nature into the architecture itself. In order to create a '40 million' wedding for the Khoo couple, props and settings like the lush greeneries, vibrant flowers and asupicious lanterns transform the ancient chapel into a huge and extravagant garden wedding. The idea of flowing the water down the aisle create a momentary effect that make the audiences' jaw drop, along with the 'butterfly' lights in the dark hall. The ultimacy of beauty comes not from flamboyant decor but the perfect blend of nature itself.
Last but not least, the film set does not only restrict towards cultural architecture elements, but also widen the audience's eyes by showing how this movie takes a further step up in contemporary modern design. Open space in the midst of forest; private pool beside the pavillion, tall and wide glass facades as well as staircases turn the residence into a mini villa that all the wow factors in its wallpaper texture, mixture of wood and stone finishes, height in ceilings as well as exposure to natural sunlight and fresh air from the woods.
In conclusion, “Crazy Rich Asians” is a well portrayed movie that played with a variety set of architecture styles which best represents the rich culture of the Asian Chinese and also the modern architecture as a contrast to depict the families’ affluence by having their homes designed in the same avant-garde size in spite of its difference in styles.
"EXTRAVAGANT, LUSH, CONTEMPORARY, HUGE, PERANAKAN, GRANDEUR"
