BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN

ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
! (ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)

Name: Premdyl Singh Shadan ID No.: 0321979

Lecturer: Prince Favis Isip Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: The Metropolis and Mental Synopsis No: 1
Life
Author: Georg Simmel

In the read of “The Metropolis and Mental Life”, Georg Simmel illustrates the impacts of Modernism
towards a city or better know as a Metropolis. The read exhibits the deepest problems that a
protagonist may encounter, feel, act and perform whilst living and carrying out their daily life in a big
city.

Through my understanding of the read, the influence of the big city brings change to the lifestyle of
a resident; where one’s intentions tend to lean to a more materialistic mindset rather than trying to
focus and find true happiness through living life to the fullest as it should be. The resident is
primarily dominated by the ideas of money (objectivism) whilst individualism (subjectivism) is
secondary and is ignored making it difficult to come by. This “blasé” [pg.14] outlook is highly
noticeable when travelling from one metropolis to another, no matter whether in Kuala Lumpur,
Singapore or Hong Kong, where skyscrapers fill the city skyline of similar rectangular towers, glass
façades, and grey bleak roads filled with slaves to the corporate world.

Besides that, the slaves to the corporate world are so fixated with the idea of money leading to the
downfall of sincere communication and interaction. In a metropolis, relationships between people
are unavoidable [pg.12] as certain scenarios are inevitable for example, passing by people on the
way to work or taking the bus home after a long day. However, the human interactions in the
Metropolis have turned short, abrupt and convenient creating a lack of emotional and personal
involvement of small communities [pg.12]. The metropolis also creates an invisible boundary
between the city and the outside world (i.e. suburbs and the inner city), dividing the connections,
interactions and relationships that could possibly be made.

In conclusion, a, describes everything in the city to be of measurable and quantitative value

neglecting the qualitative values that may exist [pg.13]. Today, the residents of a metropolis are
slaves as they are prisoners to time, working under the clock just to “earn” money. This vicious
cycle attacks everyone in the big city regardless of background and upbringing; no one can avoid it.

Word Count: 406 Mark Grade

Assessed by: Date Page No. 1

 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN
ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
! (ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)

Name: Premdyl Singh Shadan ID No.: 0321979

Lecturer: Prince Favis Isip Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: In the Cause of Architecture Synopsis No: 2
Author: Frank Lloyd Wright

The read of “In the Cause of Architecture”, by Frank Lloyd Wright, explains the usage and
integration of nature as a guide when we design. Without nature, we don't accommodate to a user
and its environment proving discomfort when living in it. We start to understand the fundamentals
and basics of the organic nature of a building, its site, the people and their intended usage giving a
complete architectural sensation.

Firstly, simplicity and repose are as a true of a quality as of a simple line, giving a better effect than
excessive ornamentation as it “merely looks rich and has no justification for the use of the
ornament” [pg.52]. Using Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water as an example, he brings graceful
beauty showcasing its natural integrity through qualities of a “few rooms of comfort, utility, and
beauty”, “doors and windows are integral with structure and form”, “assimilate fixtures into design”
and “furniture should be integral” [pg.52].

Besides that, Falling Water is an extension of the site, as if it grows from it. Falling Water is a house
that is muted and levelled enhancing the quiet, substantial and organic properties that nature has to
offer. Wright uses “roofs of gentle slopes, low proportions and quiet sky lines”, “heavy set chimneys”
and “sheltering overhangs, low terraces and outreaching walls” that reflects the traditional prairie
house [pg.52].

The integration of nature into a space should be complete through materials and colour. The
construction material used should reveal the nature of its originality such as bare wood, plaster,
brick or stone showing its “friendly and beautiful” qualities. The bare materials reflect the soft, warm
optimistic colours and tones that are represented in the woods and fields [pg.52].

In conclusion, through Wright’s read of “In the Cause of Architecture”, the description of nature is
key for a space to be full of integrity, purpose and comfort. Today, people are deprived of nature,
especially in a built environment, as the ephemeral value is lost in translation. Designing without
context and nature makes a design unfulfilled thus not proving its true belonging on site. The result
of this is the under-utilization of built spaces as it brings discomfort to its users leading to the
excessive amounts of abandonment that we find in today’s cities.

Word Count: 382 Mark Grade

Assessed by: Date Page No. 1

 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN
ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
! (ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)

Name: Premdyl Singh Shadan ID No.: 0321979

Lecturer: Prince Favis Isip Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: The Eyes of the Skin: Synopsis No: 3
Architecture of the Senses
Author: Juhani Pallasmaa

In the read of “The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture of the Senses”, Juhani Pallasmaa acknowledges
the importance of the five senses and how it relates to the experiences and memories created to a
person whilst in a space of well-thought architecture. The five senses are all co-related, invigorating
one sense to another as “vision is to fire and light, hearing to air, smell to vapour, taste to water and
touch to earth” [pg.16].

Besides that, architecture is described as a multi-sensory experience; where all senses are
heightened at the same time through a constant collaboration between each other. Reality is
strengthened as the eye collaborates with the body and all other senses “as the city and the body
supplement each other” [pg.40]. By the city constantly invigorating our senses, we are allowing new
experiences to form as we are in control to constantly redefine the physical contact; as it lets us
“measure the length of a city with the help of our feet” [pg.40] for example, the length of a five foot
way we walk on, the height of a door we walk through and the length of the bed we sleep on.

However, if not controlled we could get lost- our senses may wander eventually putting us at risk.
Architecture stops that from happening, as we provide a safe and comfortable environment for one
to feel, to sense and to experience. We are able to “dream in peace” [pg.44] as a space may
“frame” our thought and feelings, preventing us from feeling “lost” [pg.45] and sidetracked from the
wanders of our minds and the negative distractions that the outside world may have to offer.
Pallasmaa explains that “vision is the extension of touch” [pg.44], and if we are tempted to ‘see’ with
our bare skin, we are more prone to surfaces of hazard for example; a rose is nice to see, but its
thorns could prick us causing pain. To admire a rose is more of a ephemeral quality- a more happier
memory compared to a memory associated with the pain of a prick.

In conclusion, the read of “The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture of the Senses” describes that in a
memorable experience of architecture, “space and matter fuse into one singular dimension” [pg.72]
where the tangible and intangible meet. A space becomes place due to the memories created
through our senses; for example, Penang is my home not because it is of my origin, but because of
the scents, views, tastes, touch and hear that invites me whenever I return.

Word Count: 400 Mark Grade

Assessed by: Date Page No. 1