Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MODULE OVERVIEW
PROJECT BRIEFING
August 2018
Lecturers/Instructors
Prince Favis Isip (princefavis.isip@taylors.edu.my)
https://mendeznicolasarchitecture.wordpress.com/
Nicholas Ng (nicholasngkw@gmail.com) Writing inspired by “Life between buildings” of Jan Gehl, 1971
Module Synopsis Module Teaching Objectives
The subject offers a thematic inquiry into architectural The teaching objectives of the module are:
and urban theory in the broader context of
philosophical schools of thought and cultural and 1. To engage students with relevant theories which
social conditions, which include modernism, have shaped cities and experience around
postmodernism, phenomenology, semiotics, post- architecture, including its role as mediator
structuralism, deconstruction and critical between our society and its architecture.
regionalism.
These themes will guide the organization of weekly 2. To provide critical perspectives on key issues within
lecture and discussions, which will proceed from the the contemporary discourse of architecture,
establishment of a basic theoretical apparatus to the through integration of case-studies and theoretical
examination of specific cases. studies.
These will supply us with tools for the analysis of 3. To enhance the understanding of the complexity of
specific architectural situations. Students will develop architecture and the ability to undertake
a written synopsis of a designated reading, and an independent research.
in-depth and analytical research paper on the
designated topic.
Module Learning Outcomes (MLO)
The objectives of the module are translated into a number of Module Learning Outcomes (MLO),
mapped to Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO) and Taylor’s Graduate Capabilities (TGC).
Weightag
No. Assessment Components Type MLO
e
Group Reading (Text 1-4)
Text 1-3 Formative
1 1,2 40%
Synopsis Submission (Group/Individual) Summative
Synopsis (noun)
"the synopsis was so intriguing that I just had to buy the book"
an outline of the plot of a book, play, movie, or episode of a television
show. http://classroom.synonym.com/write-autobiographical-
synopsis-6629060.html
1. Project (Part A & B) (60 marks)
Jahn Gehl in the Life Between Buildings (1971) Two (2) A3 size illustrated diagrams of the city
“examined the relationship between patterns of space Identify in The (6) contact points and intensity
use, especially outdoor activities, and the spatial accompanied with an introduction of the city and
properties of the physical world. He introduced the images.
concepts of necessary, optimal and social activities
(BeatrizCampos, 5-10 Minutes Group Presentation
http://www.journalofspacesyntax.org/)
Submission DUE: Week 5 (26 Sept 2018)
For this particular task, students are to read Jahn
Gehl’s Life Between Buildings (Chapter 1).
Subsequently, the students are to examine patterns For this semester our case study will be cities in Asia.
of social activities in a city (foreign city to be provided
by instructor*) and identify ‘contact points’. They Bangkok, Thailand
are to classify the varying degrees of contact Tokyo, Japan
intensity. Manila, Philippines
Macau, China
Hongkong
Students are expected to research for information Bandung, Indonesia
from publications, internet and other relevant sources. Luang Prabang, Laos
Case Studies on Asian Streets
Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand
Yanika Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Escolta/Binondo, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
Rua dos Mercaderos, Macau, China
Queen’s Road, Hongkong
Braga, Bandung, Indonesia
Sisivangvong, Luang Prabang, Laos
Sisivangvong, Luang Queen’s Road, Hong Kong Rua dos Mercaderos, Macau
Prabang
Key References:
Comparative analysis essay
1. “Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space”,
a commonly used type of writing assignment where
students are require to critically analyze any two Jahn Gehl, (1986)
subjects, finding and pointing out their similarities and/or 2. http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-
dissimilarities. write-comparative-analysis
CITY SELECTION COMPARATIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
PROJECT PART 2
PROJECT PART 2
1
PROJECT PAR1 ANALYSIS ESSAY
RESEARCH
IDENTIFICATION OF SUBMISSION PART 2 -
"CONTACT POINTS" AND ANALYTICAL DIAGRAMS 21 NOV 2018
INTESITY LEVEL
SUBMISSION PART 1 -
26 SEPT 2018
Assessment criteria
Synopsis to 4 Readers
Synopsis
TGC
PORTFOLIO
TGC
1. Davies, Colin (2011). Thinking about Architecture: An 1. Michael, H. 2000. Architectural Theory since 1968.
Introduction to Architectural Theory. Laurence King The MIT Press.
Publishing, London. 2. Neil, L. 1997. Re-thinking Architecture: Reader in
2. Gehl, Jahn (2011). Life Between Buildings: Using Cultural Theory. Routledge.
Public Space (6th Ed). Island Press, Washington DC. 3. Baird, George & Jencks, Charles (eds.) 1969.
3. Gehl, Jan (2013). Cities for People. Island Press, Meaning in Architecture. Braziller, New York
Washington DC. 4. Bernd, E. 2006. Architectural Theory: From
4. Gehl, Jan & Svarre, Birgitte (2013). How to study Renaissance to the Present. Taschen.
Public Life: Methods in Urban Design. Island Press, 5. Giedion, Sigfried. 1941. Space, Time and
Washington DC. Architecture. Harvard University Press, Cambridge
5. Jonathan, Hale. (2000). An Introduction to Architectural 6. Hanno-Walter, K. 1997. A History of Architectural
Theory. John Wiley & Sons, Great Britain. Theory.
6. Kate, Nisbett (1997). Theorizing a New Agenda for 7. Mallgrave, H. F. 2005. Modern Architectural Theory:
Architecture: An Anthology of Architectural Theory A Historical Survey, 1673 - 1968. Blackwell
1965-1995. Princeton Architectural Press. New York. Publishing
7. Lynch, Kevin (1990). The Image of the City. The MIT 8. Mallgrave, H. F. 2005. Architectural Theory: An
Press. Anthology from Vitruvius to 1870. Blackwell
8. Alexander, Christopher (1978). A Pattern Language: Publishing.
Towns, Buildings, Construction. USA.
AN INTRODUCTION
To Jahn Gehl’s-”Life Between Buildings:
Using Public Spaces
Cultures and climates differ all over the world, but people
are the same. They’ll gather in public if you give them a
good place to do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evzk_vQauzM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lid9ELzzT8Y&t=28s
RELATED REFERENCES
Image of the City
Kevin Lynch
Responsive Environments
Sue, McGlynn, Bentley , Alcock
5 determinants of the city
1. Path
2. Edge
3. Node
4. District
5. Landmarks
https://www.amazon.com/Image-City-Kevin-
Lynch/dp/0262620014
7 Qualities of A Responsive Environment
1. Permeability 5. Visual Appropriateness
2. Legibility 6. Richness
3. Variety 7. Personalization
4. Robustness https://www.amazon.com/Responsive-Environments
-Sue-McGlynn/dp/0750605669