Theories of Architecture and Urbanism

Theories of Architecture and Urbanism – ARC61303

Project: Life between Buildings: Using Public Space

Jahn Gehl is a Danish Architect and Urban design consultant based in Copenhagen whose career has focused on improving the quality of urban life by re-orienting city design towards the pedestrian and cyclist. He published the influential Life Between Buildings in 1971 in which he advocates a sensible, straightforward approach to improving urban form: systematically documenting urban spaces, making gradual incremental improvements, then documenting them again.

We were required to present an in-depth and analytical research study on the designated topic: Life Between Buildings. The project consists of 2 parts, one a case study and the other a comparative analysis essay.

Part 1: Case Study

For this project, we were to read an extract of Gehl’s Life Between Buildings and then examine patterns of social activities (as described by Gehl) in a given foreign city. We were to identify ‘contact points’ and classify the varying degrees of their intensities. John, Shery, Kim, Alisha and I were grouped together and we were given Boston as our case study. We were to produce a presentation panel with an introduction of the city accompanied by an analysis of contact points of a selected public area of our choice.

Reflecting back…

The project instilled a deeper awareness of being mindful of the fact that spaces formed between buildings are just as important as the spaces created within the buildings. They are an integral part of the life of a city as they help draw people in and induce interaction which in turn can lead to the creation of famous hotspots for the public thereby strengthening the character and image of the city.

Synopses: Reaction Papers

Once part 1 was completed, we were given a series of exercises where subsequent to each thematic lecture we were to submit a written synopsis in the form of a reaction paper based on a selected text under the same theme.

A mode of preparation for part 2 the reaction papers required analysis of the provided theoretical texts and development of personal commentary based on them. Key points needed to be highlighted along with a personal perspective of the issues raised through the text and any experiences or insights that aided in shaping that perspective. The compilation of a total of 4 reaction papers are papers are provided below.

Reflecting back…

The writing of personal reactions to texts by famous architects and theorists was a great introduction into the many theories that have helped shape cities and urban life around the world as they have connected both society and architecture. It also helped me form my own perspectives on some of the key issues within the contemporary discourse of architecture as highlighted by these architectural theorists. I am also now able to relate certain architectural theories to contemporary architecture and have a better understanding of how they have influenced the urban forms of today.

Part 2: Comparative Analysis Essay

Part 2 required us to write a comparative analysis essay based on findings from the case study in Part 1 and research of our local site from our Studio design project. We were to examine similarities and dissimilarities based on the patterns of social activity, types of contact points along with their varying patterns of intensity between both cities. My essay was based on the comparison between Charles Street in Boston and Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur.

Reflecting back…

Upon completion of this project I was made aware of the many differences between both Western and Eastern street life. Despite their opposite nature they both possess strong features that are heavily dependent on location and contexutality that give them their unique identity. I was also able to link some of these features back to the theories studied previously through the written synopses and see how they have been interpreted within the urban realm of these cities. Overall, this module has provided useful insight into architectural theory and the relationship between architecture and its social, cultural and intellectual contexts.