PROJECT 1: Reading The Contexts of Trditional Streets
About...
Malaysia is a country filled with many unique traditional streets throughout the years, many changes had been made due to rapid urbanization of the city. Project 1 provides us as students to understand a site context based on its Architecture, History, Traditional Trades, Culture, Economic, Social, Politic and Traditional Cuisines aspects which are found on the street as all of these are factors of its place identity. We are required to have a site visit/ virtual visit to truly understand the street and to look for pieces of information, then compile all findings into a series of sketch journals into 2 main categories which are Physical Context and Non- Physical Context.
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Physical Context contains subtitles such as Religious Buildings, Shophouses, Architectural Facade and Style and Market.
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Non- Physical Context contains subtitles such as Traditional Trades/Businesses, Local/ Traditional Cuisines, Historical Events and Social Institutions.
All sketches required to be hand-drawn with images or details alongside a description. After compiling all sketches, we are needed to write a summary of our observations and reflection throughout this project.
SKETCH JOURNAL
Reflection...
Malaysia is a multiracial country with a rich cultural heritage. Diversity of races, religions, and cultures is a significant characteristic of our nation. Our country has a lot of streets filled with rich backgrounds and historical events. One of the well-known streets is the one and only Jalan Tun H.S.Lee. The street is visited by countless people daily as it is full of culture from its trade as well as family tradition reflected now in its businesses kept since decades ago to its religious beliefs as seen from the abundance of temples along the street. Jalan Tun H.S. Lee did not form overnight and took centuries to become the renowned street it is today all from the influence of its visitors. This assignment was an eye-opening experience to me as it allowed me to understand further the cultures and history of the Jalan Tun H.S Lee. After studying about the site and doing research, my view of the street has changed as now I truly understand and see the true beauty of the street. Many people view the street as just a place to grab a nice authentic meal but not many people know all these years what it takes for this street to be the street it is today and what struggles that it had been through for the past decades. In this new era, many people would choose to buy their groceries and necessities from a shopping mall or online instead of going to all these streets, even though older folks still go to Jalan H.S Lee for grocery shopping or even to have a meal with their friends, the old shops are gradually closing as people nowadays tend to go to a supermarket for grocery shopping instead of going to wet markets for convenience. Jalan Tun H.S Lee is truly a street filled with a very kind and thoughtful community, several social institutions help people in need by providing them food or daily necessities. To avoid the streets from being forgotten, we need to fully embrace the beauty and history of Jalan H.S Lee as it tells meaningful stories about the locals there.
If there is one thing I wished to changed during the process of doing this assignment would be physically visiting the street and experience it myself instead of having a virtual visit through videos or virtual maps. Due to the pandemic, there are many restrictions on going out so I hope to truly visit the street when the pandemic gets better.
ASSIGNMENT: Infographic
About...
Assigment 1 is required to produce an infographic that contains information regarding vernacular and traditional architecture. This project is based out on all the lecture slides that were recorded in TIMES and pick a topic to produce this infographic. For the infographic, we will need to include elements such as evaluation of information, analysis of information, a compilation of illustration and text regarding the selected topic, and arrange them into an A3 presentation board.
The topics that we could choose from are:
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Traditional Chinese architecture
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Traditional Indian architecture
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Vernacular Malay architecture
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Vernacular architecture of Southeast Asia
Aspects to include in our board are the Influence of Cosmology, History, Society and Culture on Architectural Production & Development, Building Typology, Spatial Layout Conception, Structures, Materials, and constructions.
INFOGRAPHIC BOARD
Reflection...
For this assignment, I chose to make an infographic regarding Traditional Chinese Architecture. Why did I pick this topic is because I am Chinese and yet I do not understand my own culture's architecture and the history behind every building element. I want to take this opportunity for me to understand deeper Traditional Chinese Architecture and how it influences different aspects of life to this day.
Traditional Chinese architecture has a long and rich history, based on the philosophical conceptions of Zi Ran and due to its outward expansion, it had influence other countries in Southeast Asia. Besides that, Traditional Chinese Architecture is split into regional variations as each region reflects its own diverse cultural representations of architecture in different geographical locations.
Malaysia as one of the countries in Southeast Asia was also influenced by the Chinese and this is also the reason why some shophouses or temples contain Traditional Chinese Architectural elements. In Malaysia, the buildings are preserved with the Chinese fundamental elements and adapt it according to our local climatic and cultural condition. This is the reason why Malaysia is a country filled with diverse cultures and many heritage streets with deep history and influences from other countries.
If there is one thing I wish to improve during the process of doing this infographic will be I hope that I had spent more time doing research and look for more architectural books which talk about Traditional Chinese Architecture so that I could understand deeper with more details.
PROJECT 2: Research In Asian Architecture
About...
Project 2 which is the Final Project is a case study-based project. It requires us to research and discuss significant issues to generate a critical understanding of tradition, modernity, and globalization in the Asian architectural contexts. First and foremost, we are required to form a group in 6 or 7. Then, we are needed to choose a Traditional street same as project 1, and pick a topic then, identify issues or problems the site is facing from multiple aspects.
These are the topics given:
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Architecture and place identity
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Adaptive re-use of traditional architecture
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Sustainable heritage tourism
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Cultural space in cities
After coming out with a list of issues or problem statements we then need to research these few aspects and include them in our Case Study which will guide us on the further processes. Next, we will need to provide a suitable research title for our case study once we are done identifying the issues/problems and pick a topic. The research title must reflect the research intention and specific scope of the study, within the framework of the selected research area and the significance of the study.
Requirements for Topic Proposal:
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Research title
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Issues/problem statement
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Research questions
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Summary of research
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Concept mapping
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Reference list (APA Style)
After the completion of the research paper and case study, we are required to present our findings in the form of a research poster and video presentation. We need to look for information, images, illustrations, or other resources as a reference for our project to support our problem statement.
For the presentation board and Video presentation, we are required to include the historical development of vernacular architecture in the Asian region, interpretation of significant issues in relation to the development of contemporary Asian architecture based on themes of tradition, modernity, and globalization.
Here are the requirements for the Presentation Board and Video presentation:
Presentation Board: ( A1 size )
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Research title, group member names
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Abstract and keywords
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Introduction/ Background (include research questions and literature review)
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Methodology
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Findings (with appropriate diagrams, charts, illustrations)
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Conclusion
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Reference list (APA Style)
Video Presentation: ( Max 10min )
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Issue(s)
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Abstract
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Methodology Concept mapping/conceptual framework
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Research questions
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Case study / findings
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Conclusion
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Reference list (APA Style)
PRESENTATION BOARD
Reflection...
For this project, I and my group have chosen to use Jalan Tun HS Lee as all of us had picked this street for our Project 1. Through this project, I have learned to observe, analyze, conduct a case study, research, etc. There were many process to do for this project but it was a meaningful project as I had a slight glimpse of Jalan Tun HS Lee when I did Project 1, so I found this project more interesting and I could understand more and work along with my group members to produce and to conduct a relevant case study with a suitable research title. After completing all the research regarding Jalan Tun HS Lee, I couldn't agree less that Jalan Tun HS Lee is a street that is filled with diverse cultures and architectural languages. It reflects the distinctiveness of the local context. Therefore, sustaining the continuity of these values reenacts the shophouses to their glorious past. I also learned that Architecture regeneration should be an applicable approach to maintain the historical and cultural values of these shophouses to preserve their identity despite the rapid urbanization. as nowadays many shophouses had been demolished or renovated fully and this leads to the loss of identity of the street. Shophouses in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee are redesigned to reverse the damage and produce a net-positive impact on the local environment. Renovation should utilize the existing building elements in accordance with the local guidelines. Otherwise, the architecture of shophouses will be replaced by modern elements, thus losing the street identity. Henceforth, the architectural regeneration in Jalan Tun HS Lee fosters the continuity of the architectural language for the coming generations besides springing forth new business opportunities to acclimatize the changing demographic.
Besides that, I also learned how to work as a team to conduct a case study. I've learned to have teamwork and segregate the task to everyone and work together to complete this project.
If there was one thing I hope to improve, it will be the same as Project 1, I hope that I could have a site visit alongside my group members so that all of us can experience the street physically and see the unseen beauty of the street directly and not from internet.
Lastly, I want to Thank Mr.Koh, Ms. Shah, and Mr. Nicholas for guiding all of us throughout this semester by providing interesting lectures, fun quizzes, and conduct tutor sessions to guide us for our projects.