THEORIES OF ASIAN ARCHITECTURE (ARC 60704)
PROJECT 1 : CONTEXTUAL STUDY SKETCH JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL STREET
In this assignment, we are required to understand how socio-cultural, economic, and political factors over time shape place identity. These factors impact both the physical and non-physical elements of a location. In fast-developing cities like Kuala Lumpur, traditional streets can undergo significant transformations due to urbanization. The project involves interpreting the "vocabulary" of these streets by studying their architectural structures and spatial characteristics, as well as their cultural and social aspects. This approach helps students comprehend the unique contexts that define the identity and cultural significance of traditional streets. Observations will be compiled in a sketch journal and summarized in writing. The objectives are to demonstrate an understanding of how various contexts contribute to place identity and cultural meanings, and the learning outcomes focus on analyzing the relationship between architecture and its social, cultural, and intellectual context within Asia.
From this assignment, I have gained a deeper understanding of how socio-cultural, economic, and political factors shape the identity of a place over time. By studying the traditional streets of Kuala Lumpur, I learned to appreciate the intricate ways in which architecture and spatial qualities, along with cultural and social attributes, contribute to the overall meaning and character of an area. This process has improved my observational skills and my ability to analyse how different contexts influence place identity.
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One key insight I gained is the importance of examining both tangible and intangible elements to fully understand the unique qualities of a place. Documenting my observations in a sketch journal and summarizing them helped me to organize my thoughts and see the connections between various factors more clearly.
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However, there are areas where I could have improved. I realized that I could have spent more time on-site to gather more detailed observations and a broader range of perspectives. Additionally, engaging more with local communities could have provided deeper insights into the socio-cultural aspects of the streets. To enhance my understanding further, I could have also explored more historical contexts and how past events have shaped the current identity of these places.
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In future projects, I plan to allocate more time for fieldwork and community interaction. I will also strive to incorporate more diverse sources of information, including historical records and personal stories from local residents, to enrich my analysis and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the place identity.
PROJECT 2 : POSTER AND SEMINAR-CONTEMPORARY ISSUE IN ASIAN ARCHITECTURE.
In this assignment, we are required to conduct in-depth research and critical analyses of key issues identified during our site visits. This project emphasizes a problem-based learning strategy, where we will develop an evaluation framework within a specified scope through weekly group discussions facilitated by our tutors. The main goal is to foster critical thinking and to interpret the major issues of globalization in the Asian architectural context through collaborative problem-solving approaches.
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Throughout this project, we will explore the historical progression of vernacular architecture in Asia, focusing on how these designs responded to indigenous contexts. Additionally, we will analyze significant contemporary challenges in Asian architecture, particularly those related to themes of tradition, modernity, and globalization. Our learning journey will involve creating a detailed research framework, participating in group discussions to refine our understanding, and working collaboratively to develop potential solutions to the issues identified.
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The culmination of our efforts will be the presentation of our findings through a research poster and a seminar presentation. This will not only demonstrate our ability to critically interpret and analyze architectural issues but also our capacity to propose viable solutions grounded in thorough research and collaborative discussion. By the end of this assignment, we aim to have a comprehensive understanding of both the historical and contemporary architectural landscape in Asia, equipped with the skills to address complex issues within this field.
Throughout this assignment, I have gained valuable insights into how to critically analyze and interpret architectural issues, particularly within the context of globalization in Asia. Engaging in weekly group discussions and using a problem-based learning approach have enhanced my ability to think critically and collaboratively. I have also developed a deeper understanding of the historical development of vernacular architecture in Asia and the contemporary challenges related to tradition, modernity, and globalization.
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One of the most significant takeaways from this project is the importance of combining both historical and contemporary perspectives to fully grasp the complexities of architectural issues. Creating the evaluation framework and working on the research poster and seminar presentation have improved my research skills and my ability to communicate findings effectively.
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However, there are areas where I could have improved. I realized that I could have allocated more time for independent research to deepen my understanding of the topics discussed in group sessions. Additionally, engaging more with primary sources and local experts could have provided richer, more nuanced insights into the issues at hand. In future projects, I plan to balance my time better between group discussions and individual study, and to seek out more diverse sources of information. This will not only enhance the quality of my research but also broaden my perspective on the architectural challenges and solutions within the Asian context.