1 | P a g e

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA) ______________________________________________________________________________________

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture) Module: TALES OF THREE CITIES (ARC 3113) Prerequisite: None Credit Hours: 3 Instructor: Dr Sucharita Srirangam (603-56295497; sucharita.srirangam@taylors.edu.my)

Assignment 2a (20%): Journal and diary Assignment 2b (50%): Mapping the townscape

Assessment Components Type Learning outcomes

Submission Presentation Assessment Weightage

Assignment 2a Individual 4 Week 8 Week 8, Friday 20%

Assignment 2b Group 2, 3, 4 Week 12 Week 12, Friday 50%

Introduction

The students are required to document the spatial form of the city to note the key attributes that drive the urban form. The objectives are: a) to characterize the urban forms through Serial Vision; b) to establish the relationships and roles of the three urban design elements and c) to identify DISTINCTIVE aspects or patterns in in their layout. The students will be given with basic urban study techniques such as figure/ground, serial vision, collage city, space syntax, etc. Therefore the students are required to analyze and apply those techniques in order to evaluate the spatial (tangible) and/or social (intangible) patterns in the city. You are required to a) illustrate the urban distinctive character, b) present the tales of your wishes and c) evaluate through the comparison of three cities. The submission format will be online and digital reports.

Objectives of Project

The objectives of the project are as follows:

To experience the urban space and take part in urban life

To allow the students to explore the potentiality of space, form and their relationship to aspects of use and cultural meaning

Learning Outcomes of the Project 1. Identify, discuss and critique various urban design theories and ideas. 2. Explain how ideas, cultural values (intangible) and topography and other site conditions (tangible) can

offer to significant perceptions and experiences. 3. Record through and present the fundamental urban research techniques in spatial and perceptional

studies.

2 | P a g e

Transferable Skills

1. Contribution to strong publication in the academia. 2. Knowledge on international architectural education. 3. Literacy in understanding visual images and relating them to verbal argument.

Tasks - Methodology Assignment 2a (20%): Journal on urban sketches and photographs SOFT AND HARD SIDES OF ARCHITECTURE (Low, 2010) Journal on sketches and photographs (on-line) (20%) This Assignment relates to the Assignment 1 in the way that the students are expected to document the city spaces. This is a location based study to establish the relationships and roles of the three urban design elements, especially focusing on the urban structuring principles. Students are expected to capture interesting and meaningful photographs related to tangible or spatial (nodes etc.) intangible or social (urban life) contexts of these locations. It is important that the sketches/images are supported by one or more sentences on explaining why you felt that space is ‘interesting and meaningful’. A sense of urban-design vocabulary is expected out of the Assignment. Online Research: We will also dedicate one session to find online photos and images of the other two cities, for the tangible and intangible aspects. Diary of visit (Y/N) The students will be taking rather a poetic stand. The Diary is a collection of thoughts, experiences and evidences (not photographs) to support them. In the end the students will be able to narrate their ‘being’ in the city. It could also include the collection of info pamphlets, tickets or any such valuable objects that could offer them the ‘memory’ of the place. Assignment 2b (50%): Mapping the townscape KUALA LUMPUR SOFT AND HARD SIDES OF ARCHITECTURE (Low, 2010) The study areas for the Assignment are the significant cores of KL. The aim is to coin your own theory for the city. The objectives are to: a) characterize the urban forms; b) establish the significance in the layout and design; and c) illustrate the urban distinctive character.

a) To characterize the urban forms Preparation of figure/ground diagram Study on urban elements using ‘Collage city’s layering concept b) To establish the significance of serial vision Study on visual cues in urban design Significance on views and vistas: Cullen’s serial visions c) Illustrate the urban distinctive character

3 | P a g e

Coin your own theory for the city following significant patterns between the typologies of form (a) and the visual qualities (b) above

THREE CITIES: TALES OF WISH You will also a) present the tales of your wishes and b) evaluate through the comparison of three cities. This part comes from virtual exploration of the local power groups (Eg. Tweet and follow the local projects/groups). You will need to use the twitter to follow and find the local community engagement with and perception on the city. This knowledge will offer you the ability to make comparisons on the three cities.

Submission Requirement

Assignment 2a: On-line Journal Date of submission: Week 8

A4 journal (on-line) 5 photos and 5 sketches of KL and 5 photos of online research on the other two cities

A5 diary (manual) Everyday reflection + collection of ‘memorable’ objects

Assignment 2b: Mapping the townscape Date of submission: Week 12 KL

Digital presentation on research process and findings (PPT)

Visuals / Photos used in the submission must be clear and well communicated

Video on the intangible ways of use of space/perceptional study

Softcopy (CD)

THREE CITIES: TALES OF WISH

Comparison of the three cities

Wish on your most lovable city Assessment criteria

Assignment 2a 20%

Assignment 2b 50% Total 70% Marking criteria Assignment 2a Journal on sketches and photographs

Criteria % Demonstrated knowledge on concept and content relevant to urban scale

10

Reflection on the methodologies (urban structures, serial vision, figure/ground)

5

Communicated the message through appropriate medium and presentation

5

4 | P a g e

Assignment 2b Mapping the townscape Marks shall be distributed as follows: PPT -50% Characterize the urban forms 15%

Preparation of figure/ground diagram 5% Study on usability of open spaces 5% Study on private/public accessibility on buildings 5%

Establish the significance of axiality 15% Significance on visual cues 5% Cullen’s serial visions 10%

Illustrate urban distinctive character 50% Your own theory/idea for the city 25% Patterns to support the above idea 25%

Tales of wish 20% Comparison of the three cities 10% The city you would wish for 10% Peer review component (25% of the group marks) Suggested References

1. Alexander, C., 1965 The City is not a Tree, Architectural Forum, no 122, April/ May, 1965 2. Broadbent G. 1990 Emerging Concepts in Urban Space Design, E. and F. N. Spon.

3. Cairns (2008), ‘Jakarta and the limits of urban legibility’, in Global cities, local sites: Multi-media essays on contemporary cities, Will Straw and Douglas Tallack (eds). Melbourne: Melbourne University Press

4. Cullen, Gordon, 1961 Townscape, Architectural Press, London, 1961. 5. Low, K. M., 2010, Smallprojects, Adaptus 6. Rowe & Cotter, 1978, Collage City, 1978 7. Shelton, Barrie, 2012, Learning from the Japanese City: Looking East in Urban Design,

2nd edn, London: Routledge. [1999]

5 | P a g e

Site areas Site area 1: Twin Tower to City Centre park

Site 2: Central Market to Petaling street

Site 3: Bukit Bintang to Jalan Alor