Project 1: Research in Asian Architecture
In this project, we have to form a group of 6 to 7 members. The group needs to select one specific research area which we intent to investigate through extensive literature review. Our group has chosen Heritage & Conservation as our research area. Once the research area is confirmed, we need to conduct extensive literature reviews, to identify the specific topic or issues or significance of study and then define the specific scope of study. We are required to generate a good research title that reflects the research intention and specific scope of study, within the framework of the selected research area and significance of study. We also need to produce a research poster to provide a visual representation of your findings.
Analysis on the Conservation of the Architectural Identity of Shophouses in Jonker Street, Melaka
This research poster analyses on how the architectural identity of shophouses in Jonker Street, Malacca are preserved. This has been done through literature reviews from websites, journals and existing research papers. It is found that the adaptive reuse approach is the most feasible to be implemented on this street. However, the architectural identity of shophouses are altered. This research highlights that the stakeholders and the community need to realise the importance of conserving the identity of these shophouses.
Project 2: Contextual Architecture Study
We are to identify a building in Asia which you intent to investigate through observation and readings on contemporary Contextual Architecture practices and issues in Asia. Based on the selected building, each member of the group shall each select one Contextual Architecture elements below to conduct analysis:
-
Space organization and access hierarchy
-
Sky line, compression and height
-
Features related to the form of the building
-
Building material and systems
-
Image making elements
-
Dimensions of history and social memories
We need to show findings and analysis in the form of a printed A2 presentation visual, with appropriate visual communication design and clarity of information. Each member must clearly indicate his/her analysis in the presentation visual. I have been assigned to research on the topic of Dimensions History and Social Memories.
The School of Kunqu Opera in West Creek Village
The case study we chose for the contextual research study is called the School of KunQu Opera located in West Creek Village. West Creek Village is located between urban and rural areas of Kunshan city, as well as between the Yangcheng Lake and the Doll Lake, where the Kunqu Opera and Yu Mountain Culture start 600 years ago. However, with the rapid development of urbanization, the rural areas begin to disappear and a new culture park without any villages left is planned. The local government wants to continue the plan and asked us to design the new buildings instead of the old rural houses. But we persuaded the client that the historical landscape and the villagers should be kept and the traditional culture should be preserved to make the villages revive. The proposal is adopted and a small Kunqu opera school is built over 4 old shabby houses. The opera school can offer a place where children and villagers learn Kunqu opera and can hear the tunes every day, as it might happen days and nights half a century ago.
.jpg)
Reflection
From these projects, I have learnt the historical development of the main strands of Asian architecture and I'm able to identify a broad range of issues related to the historical and chronological transitions of Asian architectural history. Interpreting architectural language in relation to the development of Asian architecture and urbanism based on the themes of tradition, modernity and globalisation is a very interesting task for students to learn and explore the historical knowledge in conserving heritages around the world.
Our group has chosen a challenging but interesting topic to research and analyze the importance of conserving heritage site and explore ways to properly conserve a historical building without destroying its story and context around it. Therefore, the second project has trained us to be more aware of the site context, by analyzing the building's surrounding context instead of the building design itself, and to learn how the architect designed the building responding to the genius loci, the story and the essense of the site context.