BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303 SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (August 2017)
Name: Chong Xin Dean Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Ng Reader/Text Title: Towards a Critical Regionalism (Six Points for an Architecture of Resistance)
ID No.: 0325353 Tutorial Time: 1011a.m. Synopsis No: Text 04 Author: Kenneth Frampton
On Kenneth Frampton’s perspective, architecture should define the periphery in contrast to the predominance architecture unfolding from the center. Besides universal civilization, architecture should never neglect the cultural identity and respond to its own site context. In the text, Frampton suggests that critical regionalism should still embrace the modern architecture, but only its universal progressive qualities. Most importantly, the core of architecture should be the geographical context of the building. Natural factor such as topography, climate and light, are very important. Architectural tectonic values must be emphasized more than scenography, and tactile senses is preferred over visuals in order to create a better sense of place. Architects nowadays should prioritize the local characters of a place, and then reinterpret it using new and modern terms, instead of following the traditions aimlessly. However, Frampton states that critical regionalism is different from vernacular architecture. Architects should not be captivated by advancements of technology and history. I completely agree with the author regarding this point. Architecture nowadays lack consideration of the sociological context because they try to make their buildings to be avant garde. For example, Japanese architecture are always very adept at contextual response. They are very sensitive towards every single details of the building and how they will affect the movement of human body and also human senses. Architects attempt to infuse abstract aspects into their buildings in order to follow the avant garde trend and because of that, it loses the synergy between human and architecture. Imagine if every building in a city were as mentioned, it will be chaotic. As a conclusion, Frampton is adamant that we should not stray too far from the traditional architecture in search of contemporary architecture styles, as this will only cause buildings to distant itself from humans even more than ever.
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