Synopsis: Architecture Culture & History 2
Architecture Culture & History 2 [ARC 60203] is a continuation of the investigation of architecture history development that began in Architecture Culture & History 1 [ARC 1313]. Lectures will provide detailed accounts of the principal developments in the Western world from the revolutionary period to the present day. Buildings will be explored with reference to major contemporary examples and the work and philosophy of significant exponents. Students will undertake a major research of a significant building, complete with investigation of the major influences that led to its development and in turn its influence in other architectural aspects.
Module Teaching Objectives
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To deepen students’ understanding of architectural theory through a consideration of intentions, concepts, patterns, disciplines, architectural language and contextual relationships.
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To examine a detailed account of the principal developments in the western world from the Industrial Revolution to post-World War 2.
Module Learning Outcomes
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Describe the development of the main strands of western architecture over the last 200 years.
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Identify some of the issues involved in the interrelationship between theory and design as exemplified in various historical periods and places.
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Interpret architectural language in relation to the development of Western architecture between Industrial Revolution and post World War 2.
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Differentiate the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of form.
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Compare how architects have used architectural language in various historical periods and places.
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Analyze the broad issues which inform the development of architecture between Industrial Revolution and post World War 2.
Project 1: Research Time-line Analysis
Introduction
The greatest architectural transformation followed Merdeka, or Independence in 1957. Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Malaysia was transformed from a colonial town into the new nation and Kuala Lumpur the new nations capital. Proud symbols of nationhood were expressed in new and daring forms. Innovative construction techniques and industrialized components changed the scale of commercial buildings and enabled the erection of the first prominent buildings and sky scrapers that shaped the nations architectural modern scene. According to Ar. Chan Seong Aun, president of Persatuan Akitek Malaysia (2013-2015), most Malaysian architecture of the modern movement are not documented thoroughly and have not made the list of heritage buildings. The Subang airport for example has been replaced by a non descript warehouse. It is therefore important that we properly record the heritage of Malaysian architecture before it is destroyed and lost forever. This research project adopts document analysis methodology that involves documenting, analyzing, producing, and presenting orally a critical chronological interpretation of Modern Malaysian architectural history. This project emphasizes critical analysis of the post Merdeka/Independance of Malaysian architecture in the effort to understand the influences of post-modernism to architectural design and construction, building science and technology, and urban design. The project is to distinguish the way in which many diverse factors contribute to the development of Modern Malaysian architecture. The development of the project would involve active discussion, analysis interpretation and consultation with the tutor.
Objectives
To allow students to undertake a research analysis process on Modern Malaysian architecture practices throughout history through literature review and document analysis and present an appropriate chronology account of the Malaysian architecture based on the understanding gained through the analysis procedure.
To familiarize students to the activities of culmination and production of a research analysis through assemblage, chronologically indices and evaluation of information; composing and organization of study; assembly of illustration and text; design layout composition; poster and presentation.
Learning Outcomes
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Analyze and discuss the relationship of the Modern Architecture of Malaysia with social, cultural, environmental and intellectual context of Malaysian architecture post Merdeka/Independence.
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Differentiate the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of Modern Malaysian Architecture
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Produce, illustratively, orally and in text, a critical chronology analysis interpretation of Modern Malaysian architecture.
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A continuous chronology poster.
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An on-line data account of the Modern Architecture chronology analysis interpretation of Malaysian architecture also containing references and bibliography.
Time-line
In this project, we went to visit Putrajaya. Besides taking photos, we try to gather as much information and history of the buildings as possible.
Project 2
In the second project of Architecture Culture & History 2, we need to compile our individual research and analysis together as a group. Here are some information from my part:
UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
Background:
The School of Agriculture was officially instituted on 21 May 1931 by John Scott, an administrative officer of the British colonial Straits Settlements. The school was located on a 22-acre piece of land in Serdang and offered two programmes - a three-year diploma programme and a one-year certificate course in Agriculture. In 1947, the school was declared the College of Agriculture Malaya by Sir Edward Gent, the then Governor of the Malayan Union. The establishment of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia came about when the College of Agriculture in Serdang merged with the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Malaya. Dr. Mohd. Rashdan bin Haji Baba, the then principal of the College of Agriculture Malaya, was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor by virtue of the provisions of Section 18 of the Universities and University Colleges Act, 1971. With the first intake of 1,559 students, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia had its first academic session in July 1973 in the three central faculties and one basic division: the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, and a Division of Foundation Studies. In the early 80s, UPM extended its area of studies to include the field of Science and Technology (S&T). In 1997, the name Universiti Pertanian Malaysia was changed to Universiti Putra Malaysia by former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, as a strategic gesture to portray the status of UPM as a centre of higher education capable of providing various fields of studies, especially in science and information technology, which facilitate national development in the new millennium.
Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Razak (DECTAR)
Background:
Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Razak was completed on 28 November 1978. The Council was used for the first time at the Convocation of SMEs to the 6th. Construction, which began on 21 June 1976 it would have cost as much as RM6,9222,821. The original size when completed is an area of 153.450 square feet and is the largest hall at the time. DECTAR was inaugurated on 29 September 1979.
Green Energy Office
Background:
The Green Energy Office Building recognised in short, GEO Building is an administration- cum-research office for Malaysian Green Technology Corporation, following the success of the Low Energy Office (LEO Building) which hosted the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) in Putrajaya.
The GEO building is a pilot project, a demonstrator building which marked another milestone towards greater promotion and adoption of sustainable building concept in the Malaysian building sector. It is the only such building in Malaysia that integrates the Energy Efficiency, EE and Renewable Energy, RE in one working demonstrator building. The GEO building sited on a 5-acre site in Seksyen 9, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
The GEO building was designed to be very energy efficient, thus consuming very little fossilfuels with energy index (designed) of 65 kWh/m2year; compared to typical conventional office building in Kuala Lumpur of 250 to 300 kWh/m2year. It was built on a concept which focused on the green technology innovation to minimize energy demand load, efficient use of fossil fuel via taking into account the environmental concern, the usage of renewable energy but without compromising user comfort and safety. Some of the amount of energy used by the building is counter balanced by the amount of energy generated by its own renewable energy power generation system.
Construction and Style:
Constructed in less than two years between 2006 and 2007 and costing 20% to 30% more than conventional Malaysian office buildings, the Pusat Tenaga Malaysia Zero Energy Office Building (ZEO Building) was built a prototype of an achievable example of a carbon neutral, zero net energy commercial-scale office building. Following an extensive two-year monitoring and fine-tuning program, data and information from the process has been made available throughout Malaysia for the purpose of improving energy efficiency in building design and uses.
Utilizing extensive energy efficiency strategies along with clean renewable energy generation technologies, the building will have no ongoing energy related cost.
ZNE and carbon neutral status is achieved through the incorporation of many energy efficiency and renewable energy producing technologies and strategies. HIghlights of energy savings efforts include:
•Double-pane windows reduce heat gain but provide natural light.
•Energy efficient building envelope.
•Daylighting with integrated blinds and light shelves.
•High efficiency pumps and fans.
•Desiccant heat wheel dehumidification.
•Energy efficient office equipment.
•Concrete slab thermal cooling and storage.
•Wet/ trickling water night cooling roof.
•Phase change thermal storage.
These combine with a host of other features the efforts and result in a 85% reduction in energy consumption vis a vis a conventional Malaysian office building.
Renewable energy production technologies include:
•Solar photovoltaic panels.
The facility also incorporates sustainable design features such as using harvested rainwater to provide 2/3’s of its water needs.
The Malaysia Energy Centre (Pusat Tenaga Malaysia) was established to fulfill the need for a national energy research centre that can co-ordinate various activities, specifically energy planning and research, energy efficiency, and technological research, development and demonstration (R,D&D) undertaken in the energy sector due to the long lead time for energy projects to come on stream.
The ZEO Building and, in particular, the solar photovoltaic project, was supported by the United Nations Development Program, the Global Environmental Facility, and by EC-ASEAN Energy Facility (Brussels/ Jakarta).
Reflection
My reflection towards this module of semester 2 is I get the chance to visit Putrajaya with my groupmates and search for the history of the buildings we were required to produce the analysis. I get to know a lot of interesting knowledge about architecture history during the lectures.