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Theories of Asian Architecture
Project 1 & 2
Tutor: Mr Koh Jing Hao
PROJECT 1
Contextual Study Sketch Journal of a Traditional Street
In project 1 of TAA, I was required to produce a manual sketch journal in regards to the place contexts that makes up a traditional street. Additionally, this project teaches me to understand the significant changes of a traditional street in terms of its tangible and intangible qualities, in the face of urbanisation. In this project, the place identity and socio-cultural elements of a traditional street are studied and research upon by means of a site visit and online research. Out of a list, I am asked to select one of the many notable traditional streets of Malaysia and conduct a study on its distinctive place contexts.
Selected Steet: Jalan Tun H.S. Lee (Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur)
Reflection
Exploring a part of Malaysia for the first time was a delightful experience. Although I travelled and observed Jalan Tun H.S. Lee under major discomfort thanks to the scorching heat, it was still fun having to do it together with my friends. There, I firsthand witness all about the identity that encompasses a traditional street and observed the behaviours of local and foreign business owners by engaging in interactions, and captured all of it the pictures and videos. One thing I should have done more thoroughly was being more in-depth when surveying the area, as I came to realise that I lacked resources when I started my sketch journal. During the submission week, I began my journal but I was unfortunately struck with Covid-19. Hence, I was not able to finish my work as seen from the images above. Maybe, this could have been avoided if I did not procrastinate and started my journal earlier. Nonetheless, I wish for the future me to be able to actively improve productivity in a timely fashion.
On the other hand, looking back at the moments I had during this project, I believe and glad it ended on a positive note.
PROJECT 2
Poster & Seminar-Contemporary Issues in Asian Architecture
In project 2 of TAA, I worked in a group of 7. This project essentially is a follow up to project 1. The data carried from project 1 are influential sources to this project. Project 2 is a research-based assignment requiring us to make critical analysis on the contemporary issues observed from our previous site visit. With the goal of developing critical thinking on the issues of globalisation in Asian architecture, group discussions guided by our tutor are held on a weekly basis and frequent group meetings are held to develop and complete the 3 required submissions, Topic Proposal, Research Poster and Video Presentation. Each meeting are approached with problem-solving mindset to identify and breakdown our research topic "Revitalising Cultural Identity in the Face of Urbanisation: Exploring the Role of REXKL in Restoring the Cultural Fabric".
Reflection
I am glad to have worked with fun yet diligent people during the course of this project. Everyone is the team was an active member and held a sense of responsibility for their individual parts. We were able to compromise when there were shortcomings and subdue issues without much hassle. Every tutorial session, we consulted Mr Koh, who supported, guided and criticised our project progression, in which ultimately brought us satisfaction regarding our final submission. From this project, I have learnt to be more attentive work-wise and team-wise. On the other hand, this project introduced me a new way of seeing architecture. It has shown me the importance of an area's identity and why its surrounding factors must always be kept in account. Following the new semester, I hope to be able to adopt the learnings I obtained from this project and incorporate it sensibly and appropriately.
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