SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM [ARC61303]

Project: ‘Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space’

Learning
Assessments Type Marks Presentation Submission
outcomes

Case Study
Project 3,4,5 60%
Group/Individual Paper & Comparative
(Part A & B) (refer to MO) (20%+40%)
Analysis Essay

Images: Life Between Buildings, Jan Gehl, 1971

https://mendeznicolasarchitecture.wordpress.com/2014/04/11/gehl/

Introduction

Students are required to present an in-depth and analytical research study on the designated topic.
Students are to explore the idea of “Life Between Buildings Using Public Space” (1986) by Jahn
Gehl. The project consists of 2 parts; first is case study and the second part is to produce a
comparative analysis essay.

Jahn Gehl, is a Danish architect and urban design consultant based in Copenhagen whose career
has focused on improving the quality of urban life by re-orienting city design towards the pedestrian
and cyclist. He published his influential Life Between Buildings in Danish in 1971, with the first
English translation published in 1987. Gehl advocates a sensible, straightforward approach to
improving urban form: systematically documenting urban spaces, making gradual incremental
improvements, then documenting them again. Gehl receives many awards for his efforts and
participates in and advises many urban design and public projects around the world (Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Gehl)

Theories of Architecture & Urbanism (ARC61303) Aug 2018 1

Objectives of Project

The objectives of this project are as follow:

1. To provide critical perspectives on key issues within the contemporary discourse of
architecture, through integration of case-studies and theoretical studies.
2. To enhance the understanding of the complexity of architecture and the ability to undertake
independent research

Learning Outcomes of this Project

1. Analyse architecture and urban forms in relation to relevant architectural theories

2. Analyse and critique the relationship between architecture and its social, cultural and
intellectual context
3. Produce, orally and in writing, a critical interpretation of architecture and urbanism in
relation to relevant theories within the contemporary discourse of architecture.

Brief/Guidelines

This project comprises of 2 parts:

 PROJECT PART 1: CASE STUDY (20%)
 PROJECT PART 2: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY (40%)

PROJECT PART 1: CASE STUDY (Group)

*Grouping will be following the Design Studio 5 tutorial group.

Jahn Gehl in the Life Between Buildings (1971) “examined the relationship between patterns of
space use, especially outdoor activities, and the spatial properties of the physical world. He
introduced the concepts of necessary, optimal and social activities (Beatriz Campos,
http://www.journalofspacesyntax.org/).

For this particular task, students are to read Jahn Gehl’s Life Between Buildings (Chapter 1).
Subsequently, the students are to examine patterns of social activities in a city (foreign city to be
provided by instructor*) and identify ‘contact points’. They are to classify the varying degrees of
contact intensity.

Students are expected to research for information from publications and other relevant sources.
For this semester, our case study will be on cities in Asia. (One city per group)
1. Bangkok, Thailand 6. Luang Prabang, Laos
2. Tokyo, Japan 7. Macau, China
3. Manila, Philippines 8. Singapore
4. Hong Kong
5. Bandung, Indonesia

Theories of Architecture & Urbanism (ARC61303) August 2018 1 page

Deliverables

Submission Requirements : Two (2) A3 size illustrated diagrams of the city Identifying
Contact points (minimum of 5) and intensity accompanied
with an introduction of the city and images.
10-15 minutes group presentation.

Submission

Submission DUE : Wednesday, 26 September 2018 (Week 5)

PROJECT PART 2: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY (Individual)

Part 2 of the project requires students to write a comparative analysis essay based on findings from
case study (Part 1) and local site research (Design Studio). Students are to examine similarities and
dissimilarities based on the patterns of social activities, types of ‘contact points’. And the varying
degrees of contact intensity between the two cities.

A comparative analysis essay is a commonly used type of writing assignment where students are
require to critically analyze any two subjects, finding and pointing out their similarities and/or
dissimilarities.

Students are expected to research for information from publications, internet and other relevant
sources. For local site, students are expected to conduct own site observation (Studio).

Essay is to be supported with images and diagrams relevant to support and interpret analysis of
the site and its qualities.

Deliverables

Submission Requirements : 2000 word comparative analysis essay

Neatly compiled (portrait or landscape format)

Submission

Submission DUE : Wednesday, 21 November 2018 (Week 13)

Key References:

1. “Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space”, Jahn Gehl, (1986)

2. http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-write-comparative-analysis

Theories of Architecture & Urbanism (ARC61303) August 2018 2 page

 Methodology-Process

CITY SELECTION COMPARATIVE COMPARATIVE

1
PROJECT PAR1

PROJECT PART 2
PROJECT PART
RESEARCH ANALYSIS ANALYSIS ESSAY
IDENTIFICATION OF SUBMISSION PART 2 -
"CONTACT POINTS" ANALYTICAL 21 NOV 2018
AND INTESITY LEVEL DIAGRAMS
SUBMISSION PART 1 -
26 September 2018

Assessment criteria

1. Critical analyse of architecture and urban forms in relation to relevant architectural

theories. (Part 1)
2. Critical analysis of architecture and urban forms within its social, cultural and intellectual
context. (Part 2)
3. Structure, clarity and logical coherence of the arguments presented. (Part 2)
4. References and research skills. (Part 2)

PROJECT PART 1: CASE STUDY (20%)

No CRITERIA 1 2 3 4 5
. Fail Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent

Introduction No evidence of Has an Has written an Has an Has clear

-Historical Background introduction of introduction but introduction but understandable introduction &
1 -Street Profile city and street. lacks clarity. required clarity introduction, very appropriate
-Morphological study of
&improvements. using good terms terms used.
Street (20%)

Analysis (Text & No relationship Little Some Identified the Identified the
Diagrams) between theory relationships relationships theory and are theory which are
1. Clarity of points and and analysis between theory between theory interrelated with clearly linked to
analysis. and analysis and analysis. analysis analysis
2
2. Effective use of
diagrams and images.
3. Applied theories
correctly. (50%)

Proper Referencing No evidence of Very minimal Satisfactory Good evidence of Very good
(10%) relating study to evidence of evidence of relating study to evidence of
3
required relating study to relating study to required ref. relating study to
references. required ref. required ref. required ref.
Verbal Presentation Lack of ability to Minimal ability Satisfactory was Good ability to Excellent ability
(10%) explain points to explain point able to explain explain and to explain and
4
and content of and content of points in study elaboration elaborate points
study. study. presented. points in study. in study
Peer Evaluation Absence in Minimal Satisfactory Substantial Very good
(10%) participation & participation & participation & participation & participation &
5
contribution to contribution to contribution to contribution to contribution to
work & team work & team. work & team work & team work & team

Theories of Architecture & Urbanism (ARC61303) August 2018 3 page

PROJECT PART 2: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (40%)
No CRITERIA 1 2 3 4 5
. Fail Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent

Background/Intro No relationship Little Evidence of Identified theory Identified theory

Critical analysis of between theory relationships some which are which are clearly
architecture & urban and analysis between theory relationships interrelated with linked to
1
forms within its social,
and analysis between theory analysis analysis
cultural and intellectual
and analysis
context. (20%)

Comparative Essay+ Arrangement of Arrangement of Images and Images and Images and
Illustrated Diagram images and images and illustrations are illustrations are illustrations are
Comparative Analysis illustrations is illustrations is roughly orderly arranged arranged well.
Use of diagrams, confusing. unclear. arranged in a with annotations Clarity & with
illustrations, sketches and
2 workable order. annotations.
images to aide analysis.
Comparison is Comparison is Comparison is Comparison is Comparison is
(50%)
unclear. often unclear generally clear clear with clearly stated
with minimal minimal and justified.
ambiguity. improvements

Referencing & No evidence of Identified at Uses at least 3 Uses at least 4 Uses at least 5
Research Skills (30%) sources. Absence least 2 sources. sources. sources. Clear sources. showed
3 of investigation. Lack of evidence Evidence of evidence of rigorous
of investigation. investigation investigation investigation

Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by:

Ar. Prince Favis Isip (Phil. Reg) Dr. Keith Tan Kay Hin Mr. Mohd Adib Ramli

……………………………. ……………………………. …………………………….

Date: 20/8/2018 Date: 22/8/2018 Date: 22/8/2018
Email: Princefavis.isip@taylors.edu.my Stream Coordinator Programme Director
Office Location: Academic Suite C5 (Culture, Artistic & Social Studies)

Remarks:
1. The Project Brief is to be distributed to the students in the first week of the semester.
2. Any changes to the Project Brief shall be communicated (in writing) to the Programme
Director and the approved revised version must be communicated to the students.

Theories of Architecture & Urbanism (ARC61303) August 2018 4 page