Synopsis for Theories of Architecture and Urbanism, Semester 5, Architecture Course, Taylor's University

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: Koh Sung Jie ID No.: 0318912
Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Ng Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: In the Cause of Architecture Synopsis No: 1
Author: Frank Lloyd Wright
In the book, In the Cause of Architecture, Wright critiqued the state of architecture during his time and
discussed about functionalist design, the core foundation of the Modernist Movement. However, I am not
convinced by the author’s argument on functionality.
Throughout the writing, he described the building as a work of art, a sculpture, but the author fails to mention
the very main function of the building: about how it houses and affects its inhabitants. And since he despised
the notion of form over function, he has inadvertently contradicted himself.
This can be related directly to our so called “Starchitects” today, where they become famous thanks to their
“works of art”. Their buildings are always expressive and sculptural, purposefully made to catch the public
eye, hence architecture has become an advertising tool, a form of marketing. And similar to marketing, not
everything they try to sell you is actually good for you. Just like artists, each of these “Starchitects” has their
own style we can easily identify, alike to a brand of a car or a watch. However, much of these buildings are
always alien looking, devoid of local context. This creates isolation of the building from its surroundings, yes
it stands out, but it does not belong.
Nevertheless, the “Starchitects” are not entirely to blame as they are just doing their clients’ bidding. So this
brings us to question: What is good architecture to these clients?
The thing is that the majority of the general public does not know what good architecture is, and that brings
us back to the topic on how iconic buildings are advertised. Hence architects have this unspoken role to
educate their clients and the public as to elevate the public knowledge towards architecture.
I do not condemn the works produced by the “Starchitects”, I actually applaud that they are pushing the
boundaries of engineering and construction. However, the intention matters. Are they doing this to improve
the given place? Or are they doing it for their own benefit?
Word Count: 334 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.

2. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: Koh Sung Jie ID No.: 0318912
Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Ng Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: The Eyes of the Skin:
Architecture and the Senses
Synopsis No: 2
Author: Juhani Pallasmaa
Pallasmaa brings an interesting topic to the table through his book, The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and
the Sense. He states that we ought not to judge with our visual experience alone, which not only relates to
how weperceive architecture, but also to how we perceive our world.
This is a great reminder to us all as we live in a time where as Pallasmaa describes an age which the sense
of sight dominates. We are bombarded with so much information nowadaysand much of it in form of images
or videos. People are just willing to invest so muchtimeon apps such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat,
about news around the world that they just forgot about the world they are living in. Thus, it is true that the
information overload has in some way desensitized us.
With this, Architecture becomes a search for instantaneous impact with the loss of temporality, depth and
sincerity. To me, this is still applicable today, as people often judge the quality buildings merely on its
photographs on Pinterest or Instagram. The pictures only convey a limit of what the building offers, there is
lack of communication through the other 4 senses as well as additional senses such as perceived scale.
A picture only tells us the space in a brief moment of time whereas the characteristics of a space change at
different seasons, or in different weather in fact, or even at different times of the day! A building may look or
give a different atmospherein winter as opposed to during the summer. A building might even want toconvey
a message with light and shadow through its play on solids and voids as well as scale. The activity of the
space varies from different times and hence the sense of sound and smell changes, these are means to
understanding the space better.
For all we know, we cannot assume much with our eyes alone.
Word Count: 326 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.

3. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: Koh Sung Jie ID No.: 0318912
Lecturer: Mr. Nicholas Ng Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: Towards Critical Regionalism:
Six Points for an Architecture of Resistance
Synopsis No: 3
Author: Kenneth Frampton
In Chapter 3, Frampton introduces the idea of Critical Regionalism and how it counteracts the problem of
Populism. The intention of Critical Regionalism is to cultivate a resistant, site-specific culture while taking
advantage on utilizing modern methods of design.
I fully agree on the encroachment of Populism as our recent site analysis on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
has proven this as a fact. What wefound is that the place is slowly falling victim to gentrification as the local
shophouses are being replaced by tall monotonous office buildings. My guess is the selfish desires of
businessmen wantingto emphasise on commercialdevelopment without concern of local context. Developers
tend to maximizetheir profits of their project by minimizing thecosts of the project, hence Jalan Tuanku Abdul
Rahman is infected by these skycrapers which challenge the identity of the site.
Another point that Frampton made is that Critical Regionalism is crucial in revitalizing the expressivity of an
enervated society. This sounds like a valid solution, but it also sounds like a fantasy because we cannot
neglect the complexities and intricacies that expresses the society. The composition of the context is not
limited only to its climate or topography, but also the culture and behaviors of its inhabitants. We can’t simply
say that an experienced architect has the capability to deduce all these factors unless he is one of the
inhabitants. So how can we attain this sort of information? For this is not within the job scope of a surveyor,
and the architect might not have the leisure of time to conduct studies himself, so are we going to base this
on assumptions and intuition?
I am not saying that this is an impossible task but Frampton only provided plenty of examples where world
culture or universal civilization exemplifies placenessness and none about Critical Regionalism. He gave us
a strong reason to apply Critical Regionalism but he did not provide us the means in doing so.
Word Count: 329 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.