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CHUA EN HUI 186994

From my opinion, I do agree that the starting point of analysis is the requirement as

pointed out in the chapter. (Alexander, 1973:83) The requirements are normally set by

client, and we need to analyse, breaking down into subset and understand those

requirements. Such as analysis turns the requirement to be a tree of the sets of

requirements that consist many small subsets (end product), which Alexander

describes as a “program”. The program deals with the requirements by grouping them

correctly into subsets. By treating those subset after the subsystem, which grouping

those subsets into different system, it becomes a starting point of synthesis, also called

“ small diagram”. The realization of the problem is the end product of the synthesis.

Therefore, program consist sets, realization consist diagram.

There are two types of diagrams: first, the form diagram, which describes formal

characteristics: and second, the requirement diagram, which summarizes the set of

functional properties. These two diagrams are useful if both are combined together to

show physical implications and functional consequences. The combination of these

two diagrams is known as “constructive diagram”, which delves deeper from

respective form diagram and requirement diagram to express, and unify the dual

characteristics of the knowledge of form. The combination contributes to our

understanding of functional specification.

Another key topic discussed in the chapter is about form. Form can be described in

two ways: first, formal description; and, second, functional description. In many cases,

is hard for us to relate together these two descriptions as the complication in

thoroughly understanding. However, for a case of a very simple object, there is a way

known as unified description. The unified description is the abstract equivalent of a

constructive diagram. We will gain more and understand thoroughly how the things

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go and why it’s go. For example, we can understand how does soap function, because

of the enzyme reaction between the dirt.

The aim of science is to provide an understanding. One way to do so is by giving a

unified description about object and phenomenon based on the formal description and

the functional description. As similar with science, design also seeks for the unified

description to solve problem. Thus, constructive diagram is needed so that the

requirement and the form are related in the process of solving the problem.

A good designer should invent form that penetrate the problem deeply, does not only

solve problem but also illuminates it, think deeply and utilize it well. Realization is a

way of probing the context’s nature, which is parallel to the program. Designers tend

to perceive their design as hypothesis and consider constructive diagram as tentative

assumption. Hypothesis relates the unclear set of forces to one another, which will

affect each other if there is a change in one of them, and improved them by clarifying

the economy of notation, a proposal for a standard. Hypothesis also obtained through

abstraction and invention. Designers should translate the sets of requirements into

diagrams so as to capture their physical implication, and probing context and form by

using constructive diagram, and discover new implications of a new problem. At last,

a form will fit correctly to its context due to the design process.

Reference:

Alexander, C. (1973). Notes on the Synthesis of Form. Cambridge, Massachusets:

Havard University Press.