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0365007
THEORIES OF ASIAN ARCHITECTURE (ARC 60704)
Project 1: Contextual Study Sketch Journal of a Traditional Street
In this assessment, we are tasked with thoroughly exploring a traditional street to uncover its architectural, cultural, and social aspects. The project requires a detailed site visit, during which we will document the street’s physical features, including architectural styles, using images and observations. Additionally, we will investigate the local lifestyle and cuisine, noting community activities and traditional food practices. Researching the street’s historical background will help us understand its origins, evolution, and cultural significance, while examining local businesses will shed light on their impact on the street’s economy and social fabric. Our findings will be compiled in a sketch journal that combines visual sketches with written observations and insights. The written summary will provide a basic understanding of the street’s history and socio-cultural importance, highlighting notable features and any observed negative aspects. The expected outcomes of this project include a comprehensive understanding of the street’s physical and cultural attributes, the creation of a well-organized sketch journal, and the ability to critically analyze the street’s historical and cultural context, demonstrating an appreciation for how traditional streets reflect and shape local identities and experiences.
Project 1: Reflection
Throughout the Contextual Study Sketch Journal of a Traditional Street project, I gained valuable insights into the physical and cultural aspects of traditional urban spaces. Observing and documenting the street's architectural details, local lifestyles, and historical contexts allowed me to appreciate how these elements shape a place’s identity. Engaging with the street firsthand enabled me to connect theoretical concepts from my studies with real-world observations, enriching my understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics in traditional streets.
One significant lesson from this project was the importance of balancing time management with the quality of work. Due to time constraints, I struggled to fully capture the details of my chosen site in my sketches. I realized that effective planning and time allocation are crucial for comprehensively capturing a site’s essence. In hindsight, dedicating more time to the site visit and sketching process could have improved the depth and accuracy of my observations. Additionally, refining my sketching skills and focusing on key elements of the street could have enhanced the visual representation of my findings.
To improve in future projects, I will adopt a more structured approach to time management, ensuring that each stage—research, observation, and documentation—receives adequate attention. I will also practice my sketching techniques to better capture the intricate details of the environments I study. Overall, this project has taught me the value of thorough preparation and the need for a thoughtful approach to documenting and analyzing architectural and cultural contexts.
Project 2 - Poster and Seminar-Contemporary issues in Asian Architecture
In this assessment, we are tasked with critically examining contemporary issues observed during our site visits to Asian architectural contexts. Using a problem-based learning approach, we will create an appraisal framework through weekly group discussions facilitated by our tutors. This collaborative process will help us identify significant architectural challenges and propose viable solutions. Our findings will be presented in two formats: a research poster and a seminar presentation. The poster will detail our observations, the issues we need to address, and our proposed solutions, along with an abstract summarizing our research. The seminar presentation will transform the poster content into a series of slides, featuring images, findings, conclusions, and references to effectively communicate our results. As a group of seven members, we will work together to analyze issues, develop solutions, and present our work. The expected outcomes of this project include a comprehensive understanding of contemporary architectural issues in Asia, the development of practical solutions to these challenges, and the ability to clearly and effectively communicate our research through both visual and oral presentations. This project aims to enhance our critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills while deepening our appreciation for the complexities of Asian architecture.
Project 2: Reflection
Participating in Project 2: Poster and Seminar on Contemporary Issues in Asian Architecture has been a valuable learning experience. One key gain from this project was the opportunity to engage in critical thinking and problem-solving by analyzing contemporary architectural issues. Collaborating with my group allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of addressing real-world challenges in architecture as we identified issues, proposed solutions, and effectively presented our findings. The positive feedback from our tutor on our teamwork and the overall quality of our poster and slides was encouraging and reaffirmed the effectiveness of our collaborative efforts.
However, the project also highlighted areas for improvement. While our presentation was well-received, I realized our slides could have been more creative and visually engaging. Adding a greater variety of images and incorporating more innovative design elements could have enhanced the overall impact of our seminar presentation. Moving forward, I will focus on developing my skills in visual communication and presentation design. I plan to explore creative ways to present information and ensure that visual elements complement and strengthen our key messages. Additionally, I will work on balancing creativity with clarity to create more dynamic and effective presentations.
Overall, this project taught me the importance of creativity in communication and the value of strong teamwork in achieving successful outcomes. I will use these insights to improve my future projects, aiming for both innovative presentation techniques and effective teamwork strategies.
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