SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia Research Unit

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

ASIAN ARCHITECTURE [ARC 2213]

Prerequisite: None
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Project: 1
RESEARCH PAPER: LITERATURE REVIEW
50% of final marks (50% individual)

Submission date: 28 April 2011

Introduction

Asia is the largest of the world’s continents. It comprised of 6 main regions; Southwest, South, Southeast,
east, Northern and Central Asia, each possessing distinctive physical, cultural, economic and political
characteristics. It is the birthplace of all the world’s major religions and hundreds of minor ones.

More than 3 billion people live in Asia. It has rich cultural legacies. Urbanization is greatest in the
industrialized regions of Japan, Korea and Taiwan, but huge urban centers can be found throughout the
continent. Asia is also home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations where great temples and shrines
were built, and architecture, art, music and dancing were developed to high levels. Among the earliest
civilizations in Asia were the Empires of Sumer, Babylonia, Assyria, Media and Persia in Southwest Asia;
and India, China and Japan in the East. Some examples of great architecture in Asia are the ruins of the
Angkor Wat in Northwestern Cambodia; the Burmese Shrines of Bagan; the Great Temple of Saigon and
the Great Wall of China.

However, there are still little studies done on the practices and issues related to architectural development in
Asia. Unlike the students in the West who have been enjoying the benefit of being in the center of well-
established bodies of theoretical and empirical knowledge, the students in Asia seem to be lagging behind
due to the rapid urban growth. Another disadvantage is the fact that the students do not have enough
models which are equivalent to the Western theoretical tools. If they were to simply adopt any of the
Western models in explaining the Asian historical and contemporary situations, the outcome would not befit
the purpose. (Chris Abel, Architecture and Identity, 2000)

Hence, it is imperative for all these future architects to learn a lesson or two by examining critically those
practices and issue in relation to Asia in order to practice effectively and fitting the Asian context.

This project is to introduce students to one component of research activities which is literature review. It is to
encourage students to explore the field in which they are going to do research and gain a thorough
awareness and understanding of current work and perspectives in the era.

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One of the purposes of Literature Review is to identify theories and previous research which have
influenced choice of research topic. It provides a historical background and an overview of the current
context in which research is situated by referring to contemporary debates, issues and questions in the field.
In addition, it serves as the driving force and jumping-off point for a research investigation.

Objectives of Project

The objectives of this project are as follows:

• To develop critical perspectives on architecture and urbanism in Asia through an exploration of

several topics; vernacular, ornamentation, symbolism and anthropology
• To allow students to undertake a study on issue or contemporary architecture practice in Asia
through literature review and present an appropriate account of the issue based on the
understanding gained through the reading. (The paper should not focus on a survey of the
contemporary scene but rather critically examine a practice or an issue or several issues, which
inform our reading of the emergent Asian architectural and urban landscape).
• 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

Learning Outcomes of this Project

• Analyse and discuss the relationship between architecture and its social, cultural and intellectual
context within the Asian region.
• Differentiate the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of Asian
architecture and urbanism.
• Produce, orally and in writing, a critical interpretation of Asian architecture and urbanism in relation
to relevant theories within the contemporary discourse of architecture.
• A paper (2,000 to a maximum of 2,500 words, double spaced).
• A power point presentation (10 minutes) – which contains an outline of the paper covering key
issues and themes explored, as well as bibliography.

Task

Students are to choose an issue which they intent to investigate through observation and readings on
contemporary practices and issues in Asia within the topics of vernacular, ornamentation, symbolism and
anthropology. Once the research topic is confirmed, students are to conduct a literature search for existing
knowledge, theories and works from available journals, books, seminar papers and other publications.

From all the literature read, students are to choose 3 to 4 articles that will be used as the main reference in
writing the research paper. Finally, students are to synthesize the contents and present them appropriately.

The tutorials and submissions of the assignment will be carried out in stages.
1. Submission of topic and issue 17 Mar 2011 10%
2. Paper presentation 7 Apr 2011 10%
3. Abstract submission 14 Apr 2011 10%
4. Paper submission 28 April 2011 20%

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The content of the paper should fit the following format

• Issue / practice statement

• Description of issue / practice - its extent of seriousness, evidences
• The causes of the issue / practice
• The impacts of the issue / practice – its extent of seriousness, the different levels
• Reactions from the society
• Remedial actions taken and / or improvement done
• Discussion and conclusion

Essay should be supported with ONE case study from any Asian countries

Submission Requirement

• A4 printed proposals based on template given (to be resubmitted upon tutor’s request)
• A4 printed abstract based on template given (to be resubmitted upon tutor’s request)
• Softcopy and hardcopy of presentation slides
• All photocopied reference materials in an A4 box plastic folder
• A4 printed loose copy of final report

Assessment criteria

The assessment for this assignment will be based on your ability to

• Present work in an appropriate manner to the required standard

• Obtain appropriate quantity of material and quality information
• Work effectively and progressively
• Organize work and synthesize information
• Write formally for persuasive or informative purposes
• Thoroughly support a thesis statement through research and personal insight
• Accurately cite sources according to APA style
• Lay the essay in smooth transitions within and between paragraphs

Marking criteria

Marks shall be distributed as follows:

Submission of topic and issue (10%)

• Appropriate selection of topic 2.5
• Appropriate research questions 2.5
• Suitable reference materials and concise annotation 5

Paper presentation (10%)

• Understanding of research topic 5
• Appropriate selection of case study 5

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Abstract submission (10%)
• Issue 1
• Objectives of the study 2
• Methodology: literature review 1
• Case study 1
• Findings 3
• Discussion and conclusion 1

Final submission (20%) (marks translated from 100%)

• Clarity of content 40%
• Organization and structure of essay 20%
• Writing conventions 20%
• APA citations 20%

Suggested References
1. Ridley, Diana. 2009. The Literature Review: A Step by Step Guide for Students. Sage Publications
Ltd. London