Architecture History and Theory
This module prospects a chronological survey of the developments of Ancient architecture to Western architecture from the beginning of time to the period of Enlightenment, with consideration of the intellectual, aesthetic, technological, political and economic factors which have influenced the design of buildings. These issues are explored with reference to major contemporary examples and the work and philosophy of significant exponents.
Project Showcase
Project 1: Sketching Analysis
For this project, we were to conduct a research and architectural analysis on 5 selected buildings from different architectural eras in history.
We were to employ appropriate visual and verbal architectural vocabulary when referring to building types, series and periods, show the appropriate sequence of historical periods and how they are represented architecturally and discover the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of form.
Project 2: Analysis Report
This research project adopts document analysis methodology that involves documenting, analyzing, producing, and a critical chronological and diagrammatical interpretation of Modern Malaysian architectural history. This project emphasizes critical analysis of the post Merdeka/Independence of Malaysian architecture in the effort to understand the influences of post-modernism to architectural design and construction, building science and technology, and urban design. The project is to distinguish the way in which many diverse factors contribute to the development of Modern Malaysian architecture
Learning Experience
Architecture History and Theory was an online-based module and it was quite convenient to be accessed as all the learning and tutorial sessions were done on portals such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
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However, there were certain limitations, for example, being unable to go for site visits to some of the sites that were being focused on in the analyses, and hence not being fully able to experience the ambience and magnificence of the structures. On a positive note, I found that the quizzes administered on the TIMES portal were quite fun and interactive and you could also earn badges from them, which was a classy touch.
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These TIMES quizzes as well as quizzes done on Kahoot provided an interactive learning and active recall experience which tremendously aided me in revising for both my Mid-Term and my Final Examination.
Self-Reflection
First and Foremost, I would like to express my gratitude towards my tutors, Mr. Shawn and Mr. Nicholas, and the module coordinator, Dr. Lia, who helped cultivate my curiosity and thirst to seek historical knowledge of architecture. Learning from History contributes a lot to progress and advancement of modern civilisation, for example in terms of construction methods and development of technology.
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Looking back at ancient buildings, one cannot help but admire the grit and creativity that human beings portrayed with whatever resources the could muster up. In my opinion, studying the history and theory of these buildings helps lay the foundation for understanding architecture, and helps ignite the fire of progress so that we may further improve and develop our built environment.
Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present, to live better in the future.
~ William Wordsworth