Synopsis: Asian Architecture

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The subject explores the history of South, Southeast and East Asian architecture as a whole within a systematic treatment of architectural design and construction, building science and technology, garden design and city planning through three key themes: sustainability, tradition and modernity & globalisation. These themes will guide the organisation of weekly lecture and projects, which will proceed from the establishment of a basic theoretical apparatus to the examination of specific cases. Students will develop a written essay on Asian architecture and urbanism and interpret Asian architectural language through verbal and video presentations.

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Objectives

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1. Develop critical perspectives on architecture and urbanism in situations where tradition, modernity and globalisation intersect through an exploration of the history of South, Southeast and East Asian architecture

2. Provide tools for the analysis of specific architectural situations that inform second year design studios

3. Analyse architectural language and issues based on cross cultural awareness

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Learning Outcomes

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1. ​Describe the historical development of the main strands of Asian architecture

2. Identify a broad range of issues related to the historical and chronological transitions of Asian architectural history

3. Interpret architectural language in relation to the development of Asian architecture and urbanism based on the themes of tradition, modernity and globalisation

4. Analyse and discuss the relationship between architecture and its social, cultural and intellectual context within the Asian region

5. Differentiate the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of Asian architecture and urbanism

6. Produce, orally and in writing, a critical interpretation of Asian architecture and urbanism in relation to relevant issues within the contemporary architecture and design.

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Project Introduction

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This project is driven by Architectural Design Studio 4, as an approach to support students’ design through extensive research within the framework of Contextual Architecture in Asia. The Contextual Architecture framework focuses on students’ selection of building, with research objectives defined through in-depth literature review, leading to a well-established case study paper structure and writing. Assessments involve oral presentation and a written paper of 2,000 words. The final topic of the paper should be evolved in discussion and consultation with the tutors and should be finalized by the fifth week of the course. Students will present the summary of the paper with images in class – which contains an outline of the paper covering issues and themes explored, as well as a bibliography.

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Objectives

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1. To integrate architectural design and research through a specific case study, supporting students’ design through extensive research within the framework of Contextual Architecture in Asia.

2. To introduce students to activities which culminate in the production of the study; collection, indexing and evaluation of information; analysis of information; compilation and organization of study; writing of study; assembly of illustration and text; design of layout; binding and presentation.

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Learning Outcome

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1. Analyse and discuss in depth on the selected research area based on the selected building, within the framework of Contextual Architecture.

2. Identify significant elements of Contextual Architecture through investigation on the selected building.

3. Produce, orally and in writing, a critical interpretation of Contextual Architecture of the selected building.

4. A paper (2,000 words, double-spaced).

5. A power point presentation (10 minutes) – which contains an outline of the paper covering key issues and themes explored, as well as bibliography.

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Part A: Contextual Architecture Analysis

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As a group of six, we were required to identify a building in Asia in a sub-urban context and analyze the particular building. After that, we need to produce an analytical board individually.