KRISTOPHER TEOH
ARCHITECTURE LIFE
Project:Theorizing Architecture
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM [ARC61303] [ARC2224]
The project for this subject is divided into two parts:
- Part 1: Analyzing Self (Group work)
- Part 2: Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture (individual boards)
Part 1:
The frst part of the project required all students to select their an architect, urban designer or theoritician along with a particular site to study and analyse. My team decided to select the master architect known as Christopher Benninger. The site we decided to use for analysis is Cyberjaya.
As a group, my team mates and I studied cyberjaya extensively. We looked for information regarding the buildings available in cyberjaya, types of communities, highways that link to the place and etc. After that, we studied about the architect we selected and the types of theories and beliefs he sticks to when he starts designing something. Christopher Benninger has many theories and belief but the main theory we decided to study is his 10 principles of Urban Planning which comprises of : balance with nature, balance with tradition, appropriate technology, conviviality, efficiency, human Scale, opportunity matrix, regional integration, balanced movement, institutional Integrity.
Once the group section was completed, I had to analyse architecture and urban forms in Cyberjaya and how they relate to relevant architectural theories of Christopher Benninger. One of the main principles that I felt was related to Cyberjaya is conviviality. This teory mainly states the importance of public realms provided in a place for people to communicate. Cyberjaya has many public realms such as parks and lakesides. The other principle would be efficiency. This principle states the importance of balance between consumption of resources and encourages optimum sharing of public land, roads, facilities, services and infrastructural networks. Cyberjaya is a green and eco friendly city and a large ICT hub with many green buildings and homes there that help conserve energy while providing the people with their basic needs. The final priniciple that was relatable would be the opportunity matrix. This principle states that the city should be envision as a vehicle for personal, social and economic opportunities through access to infrastructure, architecture, services, and etc. Cyberjaya clearly has advancements in architecture and infrastructure that help propel the city forward and create more opportunities for people.
The first part of the project taught me how to analyze and understand the theories and principles of different architectures. These theories could be related to the design of different towns in some way as the town planner or architect could have used these well established theories and principles a lot or even in a small way.
Part 2:
The second part of the project was purely individual. The task was to select a particular building in Cyberjaya for analysis on the different theories that were adapted into designing the particular building. The study of the impact of external factors on the architecture also had to be included.
The selected building is Wisma Shell. The different architectural theories that I found when analyzing this building are phenemenology, conviviality and picturesque architecture. This building employed the use of these different theories into the design of the building to make more attractive to visitors and workers alike. The use of these theories made Wisma Shell more than just a regular office building for workers. The building becomes a form of landmark to people unfarmiliar with Cyberjaya. The use of Phenomenology by the architiects creates unique and attractive spaces withing the building for users. The look building itself is also unique and the use of picturesque architecture further enhances the look of the building.
As for the external contributing factors, I found that Malaysia's climate clearly affects the comfort of the users withing the building. The architect employed various design methods to take advantage the natural environment to help create user comfort such as the wind for natural ventilation and the sun for natural lighting within the building to reduce the use of energy.
Finally, the building also utilizes various forms of technology to help save energy use and create user comfort as well. The architects employ the use of special light fixture that provide more light with the use of less energy. They also use low e glass windows, masonry walls and a large reflective roof to help control the heat gain and increase user comfort.
Through all these projects I have learnt how to analyse architecture and urban forms in relation to relevant architectural theories , analyse and critique the relationship between architecture and its social, cultural and intellectual context and produce a critical interpretation of architecture and urbanism in relation to relevant theories within the contemporary discourse of architecture, orally and in writing,
A group exercise that is conducted weekly to help us understand and interpret the issues proposed in various architecture theories. Everyone had to read a text provided by the lecturers and analyse the text. We had to think critically and creatively to define and analyse the text given, to provide a concise summary of the theories in relation to the context given.