URBAN

1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303/ARC2224)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2017)
Name: YAN WAI CHUN ID No.: 0319626
Lecturer: MR. PRINCE FAVIS ISIP Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: LEARNING FROM LAS VEGAS, THE
FORGETTEN SYMBOLISM OF ARCHITECTURAL FORM.
Synopsis No: 1
Author: ROBERT VENTURI, DENISE SCOTT BROWN, STEVEN IZENOUR
The author pointed that, Modern architecture defines the uniqueness of content of a building by its spatial
characteristics and this as the fundamental or essential aspect that separated architecture and arts which
could bring into a building. With the emphasized spatial characteristics might enough the deliver the
architecture intention or messages, but the forsaken of tradition iconology such as paintings and arts diluted
the identity and architecture of a building. So, the integration of culture and tradition in architecture is critical
to protrude the identity of a building.
Giving Las Vegas as an example, architecture as a symbol in space which implementing the persuasion
elements and this architecture has been used in the commercial vernacular. With the architecture of
persuasion along the Vegas Strip, communication dominates through the sense of orientation in space with
the influence of signs. Thus, this symbolic communication in the vast space formed the connection which
generates the sense of direction for passerby. This architecture as persuasion contains a perfect combination
commercial and communication as it is not just a symbol in space which enhance the street experience and
culture, it served as a contextual elements along the Vegas Strip.
The author claimed that symbolism or signs are crucial than the architecture. But also claimed that the
form itself can be the symbol in that space. For instance the author compared with a duck store that has the
idea of construct or implement the shape of sign in its architectural form. The emphasis of signs is better in
terms of communication and as a unity factor of the street. An immediate example is the intense usage of
signs and symbols that applied along Vegas Strip to serve as the unity elements on the streetscape.
In conclusion, my opinion is that, Vegas Strip is not just a highway that functioned as an entrance and
exit, it applied the architecture as successful communication system which embraces the chaotic order of
signs in space. Modern architecture often inspired by symbol, image, or correspondence things and used in
varies vernacular. Methods of implementing it are subjective and we should look nonjudgmentally at it.
Word Count: 353 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: YAN WAI CHUN ID No.: 0319626
Lecturer: MR. PRINCE FAVIS ISIP Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: THE GEOMETRY OF FEELING Synopsis No: 2
Author: JUHANI PALLASMAA
Building and its architectural form are not just baldly the composition of architectural elements or the
principle of elementarism, it must contain the idea of forming a space that is contextually need and most
importantly a space where experience lies or the consciousness of the user experiencing it.
Architecture or the work of art does not depict its truthful meaning on its physical surface, it is through
the connectivity between mind and the art to generate this concealed image. In my opinion, within the
dimension of architecture, the richness of architectural expression cannot be reimpose through the assertive
implementing of architectural elements as it resulted a meaningless form with the lack of understanding of
essence of it. The quality of the architectural expression should contains the interpretations that evoked from
users by just the simplicity or its typical form.
Author claimed that architects should not treat a building as a lifeless object, it should be an image full
of distinctive expression of users. A ‘glance’ through the architectural work should be able to provoke direct
experience of the users through their perception. So by this perception, users can experience the architecture
through the architectural feeling to analysis the scale and characteristics of the building and to understand its
message. Besides, an architecture with merely play form does not triggered the memories lie on the back of
user’s mind and emotionless. Thus, architecture must satisfy the fundamental aspect of the direct experience
or expression that linked and influenced the users where inner feelings of users create.
In conclusion, my opinion is, an impactful architectural expression should be derived from the
consciousness of users, sensory memories and experience. The vitality of the inner meaning of architecture
should not be doubted and deliver through the integration user’s interpretation and architectural form rather
than perceive it from the physical surface. Reviving experience that we experienced through the back and
forth interaction between architecture and mind makes the linking of built environment and personal emotions
unquestionable.
Word Count: 331 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: YAN WAI CHUN ID No.: 0319626
Lecturer: MR. PRINCE FAVIS ISIP Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: TOWARDS A CRITICAL REGIONALISM : SIX POINTS
OF AN ARCHITECTURE OF RESISTANCE
Synopsis No: 3
Author: KENNETH FRAMPTON
Critical Regionalism promotes the approach of merging the essence of tradition as part of the universal
values of modernism. It is also critical to not neglecting the nature form rather than an architectural form which
lack of the sense of place in this universal civilization. The author claimed that this universal values of
modernism must incorporate into the geographical context of the building. By saying the geographical context
or cultural legacy, it is determining the climate, light, topography, local tectonic form and the distinctive
characteristics of the place.
For instance, the author mentioned that fenestration of the architectural work can protrude and
express the sense of place of the particular region. It was clearly stated that this relationship between
architectural elements and nature should be understood in the construction industry. On the other hand, the
intensive utilization of conventional or universal civilized technology on the architecture disputed the
interaction between the culture and nature. This modernized method does not appreciate and embrace the
local natural context as an aspect to be concerned in architecture.
Another aspect should be involved in designing is the visual and senses experiences of users, to
trigger the perception of users and generate the sense of place. The author had given an example of how
tactile sensitivity made impact on architectural journey within the building, besides, the importance of
experience the architecture through the senses.
In conclusion, my opinion is that, creating the ‘’ place-form ‘’ and balance between both natural context
and cultural tradition to protrude the identity of societies is critical in this modernized civilization. As same as
I learnt from ‘The Geometry of Feeling ‘and claimed by Pallasmaa, the uniqueness and perception towards
the architectural work through the complementary senses of users is also an important aspect to be
implemented in design. The connection of tectonic and tactile could be surpass the surface meaning of the
plain construction of building, beyond the ‘’ placelessness ‘’ sense.
Word Count: 323 Mark Grade
Assessed by: Date Page No.