SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia Research Unit (MASSA) Bachelor of Science

(Honours) (Architecture) ASIAN ARCHITECTURE [ARC 2213] Prerequisite: None

_____________________________________________________________________ Project: 2 CASE STUDY: An Asian City 30% of final marks (group work) Submission date: 9th June 2011 Introduction

Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok streets scenes (sources: http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=493 & http://gse2australia.blog.com/2008/11/19/back-in-bangkok-the-journey-home-begins/)

This project will involve the interpretation of the historical, social and morphological aspects in Asian cities by studying the STREETS and understanding how the different layers contained in the street have developed through tradition, modernization and globalization. Students will be given specific areas in two cities (Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok) as case study to conduct a self-investigation through observation and documentation in which video documentary and a short report will be the final outcome. Objectives of Project The objectives of this project are as follows:

To develop critical perspectives on architecture and urbanism in situations where tradition, modernity and globalization intersect through an exploration of the history of South, Southeast and East Asian architecture To promote and develop students knowledge and understanding of selected aspects of Asian architectural and urban design through first-hand experience gained through a study visit to an appropriate local or overseas location relevant to the theme To develop in each student increasing skills and independence in information gathering, visual and verbal analysis, and critical synthesis To develop in each student increasing skills in clear, effective, written communication, employing recognized scholarly and professional conventions To enhance further students interpersonal and intra personal skills

Learning Outcomes of this Project Tasks For this project, students are to choose between 2 sites to conduct the study Site 1 Bangkok, Thailand Site 2 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia For each sites, students are to divide yourselves into three broad groups that will look into i. Historic streets ii. Market streets iii. Commercial / up-market shopping street Within these three groups, you need to further divide yourselves into four smaller groups that will look at each of these streets based on these four points of views i. Streets as an experience of the urban life ii. Streets as programmes or events iii. Streets as language semiotic readings of streets iv. Street as container of society, culture, history and memory Generally, under each group and subgroup, students are to do physical surveys and collect research data. Documentation can be done through observations, photograph, short notes, diagrams and sketches The data can be tabulated as below (example) Group Market streets Sub-group Street as an experience of the urban life Name of street - _____________________________ Phase Tradition Modernity Globalization Observations Meaning Describe the historical development of the main strands of Asian architecture Identify a broad range of issues related to the historical and chronological transitions of Asian architectural history Interpret architectural language in relation to the development of Asian architecture and urbanism based on theme of tradition, modernity and globalization

Some data may be overlapping between subgroups and even groups. Dont worry about it as each of the group will be analysing the data differently. Submission Requirement A video documentary (with narration) of 1 to 15 minutes in length Summary of research findings in 500 to 1000 words Raw materials (any photocopied, printed documents, brochures, sketches, interview notes etc.) All photographs related to the research in a CD

Assessment criteria The assessment for this assignment will be based on your Ability to prepare a summary and presentation which satisfies the theme of the case study trip and employs original and interpretive thinking Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of specified theme of Asian architectural and urban design

Marking criteria Marks shall be distributed as follows: Video documentary (10 marks), Summary (20 marks) Video documentation (20%) Relevance of content with research scope Clear and suitable visual images used in communicating Precise and concise narration of research findings Appropriate accompanying audio (background music etc.) Creativity and quality Summary (10%) Relevance of content with research scope Clear presentation of research findings Precise and concise summary Appropriate use of language

40 marks 15 marks 20 marks 10 marks 15 marks

30 marks 40 marks 20 marks 10 marks

Suggested References 1. Barthes, Roland. 1977. Elements of Semiology. Paris. Hill and Wang 2. Benjamin, Walter. 2002. Charles Baudelaire. Paris. Payor 3. Boyer, M.C. 1994. The City of Collective Memory; Its Historical Imagery and Architectural Entertainment. Boston. The MIT Press 4. Rapoport, Amos. 2006. The City in the Cultural Context. London. Routledge 5. Tschumi, Bernard. 1994. Event Cities. Boston. The MIT Press