PROJECT I - RESEARCH IN ASIAN ARCHITECTURE
The first project in this module was was divided into part 1a and 1b. Part 1a required a group of 7 people to pick a topic of research. Our group's topic was Modernity in Asian Architecture. We chose Tulou buildings built in the 15th Century as our research focus.
Our research title was "Impact of the Adaptation of Vernacular Tulou Features into Contemporary Tulou Housing on Community Spirit"
We then started to analyze the vernacular features and how it has been adapted into the contemporary tulou housings. The features that were taken from the vernacular model are selective as they directly impact the community. During both times, there exists community spirit, only a different kind of community.
The vernacular model houses familial communities and clans whereas the contemporary model is aimed at middle class income people. Hence, the features that will impact the community spirit differ in certain aspects.
Working in this assignment, I was able to open my eyes to traditional Chinese dwellings that were meant for each clan or families. This meant that they strongly believed in their familial community spirit. I have also come to realize that the same familial community spirit is not as strong now, since the world has evolved, so has the community spirit.
PROJECT 2 - CONTEXTUAL ARCHITECTURE STUDY
In this second project, we are to choose another building that is heavily influenced by architectural contexts. The building we chose was the Xiangshan campus for the China Academy of Art. We chose a building from the second phase that featured a wavy roof and perforated facades. The aim of this project is to investigate the building through observations and readings about contextual architecture.
Each member of our group picks one contextual architecture element and analyzes the building through that. Findings that we produced were in diagram form and we presented it on an A2 poster.
Working in this assignment, each member was marked individually even though the final outcome was compiled into one. It made it easier to distribute the work and reduce group meetings as each person was able to work freely on their own part. It was like in a lot of ways similar to Project 1, yet different, just like these vernacular and contemporary asian architecture.