Theories of Asian Architecture
Project 1 :Contextual Study Sketch Journal of a Traditional Street
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We are required to conduct a physical site visit to one of the assigned traditional streets, defining its boundary based on the provided map. Using various references such as books, websites, and articles, we must identify the street's physical and non-physical contexts. Our observations should be presented in a manual sketch journal, which includes a hand-sketched site plan showing the defined boundary of the selected street, eight pages of sketches illustrating the distinctive physical and non-physical contexts, and a 300-word handwritten summary of our observations. Finally, we need to scan all sketches and compile them into one PDF file for submission.
SELF-REFLETION
This project has significantly enhanced my understanding of how socio-cultural, economic, and political factors shape the identity of traditional streets. Through on-site visits, I interacted directly with both the physical and socio-cultural elements that characterize these urban areas. This immersive experience highlighted the role of architectural styles, historical events, and social institutions in preserving a community's cultural heritage.
A key realization from this project was the critical importance of context in architectural analysis. My exploration of Jalan Tun H.S. Lee revealed the profound effects of urban development on traditional street environments. Additionally, the project improved my research skills, enabling me to effectively gather and synthesize information from various sources to support my field observations.
Upon reflection, there are areas for improvement. Conducting more thorough preliminary research would have deepened my understanding of the historical and cultural backgrounds of the streets, leading to more insightful observations. Moreover, refining my sketching skills would have allowed me to capture architectural details with greater accuracy.
Overall, this project has broadened my understanding of the interplay between architecture and its socio-cultural and economic contexts. It underscored the importance of historical context and careful observation in studying urban spaces.
Project 2 :Poster and Seminar-Contemporary Issues in Asian Architecture
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This research project aims to develop critical thinking and interpretive skills concerning the impact of globalization on Asian architecture. Utilizing a problem-based learning approach, we will participate in weekly group discussions led by tutors. The goal is to create a comprehensive framework to analyze major issues and develop potential solutions. Our final presentation, comprising a research poster and a video, will account for 50% of our final grade.
We need to form groups of 6-7 members and select a significant issue from our initial observations in Project 1. Then, we will choose one of the following research themes: architecture and place identity, adaptive reuse of traditional architecture, sustainable heritage tourism, or cultural spaces in urban settings. Conducting a literature review will help us refine our research focus, develop a specific research title, and identify relevant issues and their importance. Additionally, we are tasked with creating a visually engaging research poster to illustrate our findings and producing a 10-minute video presentation to convey our research and conclusions.
Expected outcomes include a deep understanding of the historical evolution of vernacular architecture in Asia and the ability to analyze contemporary issues in Asian architecture, particularly concerning tradition, modernity, and globalization. We aim to demonstrate our critical thinking and problem-solving skills by proposing well-informed solutions and effectively communicating our research findings through the poster and video presentation.