Hi, I am a first year architecture student, and for one of our modules called ”Historical and Cultural Developments of Cities and their Architecture”, we have to write an essay on a topic of our choice. I have attached the official instructions, so please read these carefully as it is very important in order for me to gain marks.
I have already decided on an essay subject and title: ””Colonial Architecture and the Assertion of Dominance: Exploring Symbolism Through Housing in Hong Kong”. With my specific item of study being the ”Tong Lau” houses.
As for the specific title, you can deviate from it a little, but the basis of my essay is to communicate this underlying system of how: architecture, urban design and planning, was used as a tool for colonials to reinforce their dominance and show power. I also think it’s interesting because architecture and housing becomes a material consequence, and symbolic reminder of these dynamics throughout the colonial era. Additionally, you can explore the link between historical housing policies and the contemporary housing crisis in Hong Kong (colonial legacy etc) – highlighting continuities and changes over time.
The file ”Speculative Modern Urban Forms and the Politics of Property.pdf” is a great resource for this essay. It is someone else’s research paper but is quite expansive. There are some parts where i have underlined/highlighted parts that i thought were important or relevant (I did not get to read paper fully though).
The rest of the files are other sources which i thought may be useful/relevant.
The book ”Housing in Hong Kong”, provides a decent overview and historical review of the housing situaiton in Hong Kong, specifically at the beginning period of the colonial rule. And so it is also a great resource specifically for Tong Laus, as it also has several juseufl diagrams and drawings that could be included.
Below is a drop box link to a folder with a bunch of images of pages of the book (apologies if they’re out of order)
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/d4cbydq6gntneuvxlyekz/ADsPNbeg7HnvOwsxIhXMoZQ?rlkey=uer90y3d2uklxbjqixj705wr0&dl=0
Hong Kong has a very nuanced rrelationship with its colonial past; because while architecture/urban policies for example, were used in exploitative manners, they also stand as a foundation for the city’s modern identity. Britain’s colonial personel had a huge impact on its development, such as Osbert Chadwick who reported the sanitary conditions of Hong Kong which were significant in Hong Kong’s urban development story. Thus i think it is important to maybe recognise this, so i included his primary reports in the link below. The 2nd link directky below it, is an article which discusses these essentisal colonial personel and their impacts on the city.
Link to Chadwick’s reports on the sanitary condition of Hong Kong:
https://wellcomecollection.org/works/mpnmmdbz/items
https://doi.org/10.1080/02665433.2012.705124
For more context on where my ideas came from:
The instructions say we need some reference or relation to our lectures. One of our lectures was by Tania Sengupta – in which she talked about post colonialism, power dynamics etc. I included a screenshot of information about her lecture so you can get a better idea.
Category: Architecture
For this you will choose ONE of the following topics and write a 500-750 word well composed, informative essay that address the selected topic.
Your essay should include the following:
It should be at least 500-750 words long. It can be longer but cannot be shorter.
Add the name of the topic as a clear title at the top of your essay.
The essay should be composed of 3 paragraphs, the first will be a thorough introduction to the topic, the 2nd would be the body of the essay which includes the important required information, and the final paragraph would be your final personal reflection on the topic.
The essay should be informative, and well composed. It should include good examples and good images.
You need to cite the essay. You can use the lecture slides, study guide, personal notes, and any other reliable references for this. You must cite your essay in-text and at the end in MLA style.
You should NOT copy-paste from references. I want to hear you and your thoughts and opinions!
—————————————————————————————————-
Topic #1
The “Guggenheim Museum” in NY, by FLW and the “Notre-Dame-du-Haut Chapel” in Ronchamp, France, by Le Corbusier are two great works of two great pioneers of the Modern Movement.
In a well composed essay, following the instructions mentioned above, compare and contrast the strokes of genius expressed in both works by the two architects.
Also explain how each work expresses the personal style of each architect while still embracing the fundamental ideas and principles of the Modern Movement and International style.
Support your answer with sufficient content, information, and good images.
prompt:
The key claim(s) that you make should be made explicit to the reader at the start of the paper. The body of your paper should develop your argument by identifying key issues, providing evidence (written and visual references), connecting your work to broader discursive contexts of architectural theory, etc., and finally providing a concluding summary. While this sequence may be a typical structure, we encourage you to conceptualize the structure of your work in a manner that most effectively tells the story you wish to tell.
Title: provide a title that provides a unique and compelling description of the content of your paper.
Keywords: provide 5 keywords that identify your paper’s topic(s) and object(s) of study.
Images: your images should be carefully integrated with the text. Images should be captioned (no more than 1 sentence) + image sources provided with citations.
This a critical analysis that makes a claim, unpacks it with an argument, identifies broader issues at stake, and references relevant sources. Your paper should take a position and connect to broader discursive contexts and architectural theories – i.e. a community of ideas. It should be structured in both a sequential and consequential manner. Rather than a dry presentation of singular facts, analysis, and/or interpretations, it should have a clear and compelling narrative arc that extends from start to finish.
This is my claim: Prioritizing passive design methods, the investigation seeks sustainable approaches to ensure comfortable temperatures without excessive energy use while maximizing learning performance of school students.
My aim is to mainly focus on the architecture of learning spaces in tropical climates. Please offer visual examples of types of learning spaces that achieve AND fail and integrate into the body of your argument. I included a draft of my paper to understand what I am trying to argue, but it is very poorly written, several of the paragraphs are circular with statements that do not build on one another and have broad generalities that don’t seem to clarify: for example the sentences following my introduction of Barclay & Crousse, seem to go in circles, restating the same points in varying ways. However, if you can please include most of what I written and use buildings that support my claim that would be great.
Please include images of the project to illustrate and provide specific details of how the building forms/designs achieves the goals I state. Also, my visuals come at the end without captions or figures. They’re currently disconnected and it’s difficult to find relevance with respect to my text. Please integrate the visuals within the body of your argument.
My text currently has no citations, quotes, or paraphrases from the sources I cite in my bibliography, and it currently reads as though these are opinions rather that evidence-based statements. PLEASE fix this, please cite or foot notes.
These were my 5 keywords :
solar orientation
shading strategies
evaporative cooling
microclimate analysis
informal encounters
you can either keep or change these to make it go along with the paper. These dont need to be include in the essay. You can put these at the very end
I dont have a title please come up with a title
I need 3 discussion posts for three different Architecture modules
Select two of the themes presented during this module and write how these two themes are connected. Use a case study to help illustrate your points.
each discussion post should be a minimum of 300 words. Include images and links where applicable.
Select two of the themes presented during this module and write how these two themes are connected. Use a case study to help illustrate your points.
This post should be a minimum of 300 words. Include images and links where applicable.
Dear, it has to be rich in details.
it needs a good understanding of archeteture.
the powerpoint has to be in a good shape not basic.
expect to have a feedback to fix afterwards.
For this assignment, you will visit
and research a historic building in the Scranton area. You can refer to the
following two resources on Brightspace which discuss landmarks in Scranton to
help you select the building(s) for your paper:
1.
Downtown
Scranton Landmark Buildings and Districts (Scranton Historical and
Architectural Review Board, 2015)
2.
History
Set in Stone: A Guide to Downtown Scranton Architecture (Lackawanna Heritage
Valley and Lackawanna Historical Society)
Parameters
1.
Select
1-2 buildings in the Scranton area to research for your paper. If you select
more than one building, you are permitted to compare and contrast their
architectural styles. You will visit the building(s) and take photos for
reference as you research and write your paper. You should include photos in
the narrative of your paper to illustrate your observations.
2.
Your
paper must be between 2,000-3,000 words (approximately 5-7 pages)
a.
I
do not have a preference on font size or spacing. The word count will be used
to assess whether or not the your paper meets the length requirement.
3.
Bibliography
– You must have at least four scholarly sources for your research.
a.
How
do I find and cite my sources?
i. Weinberg Memorial Library: www.scranton.edu/library
ii. Review the library’s Student
Resources Guide here: https://www.scranton.edu/academics/wml/infolit/student-resources.shtml
b.
Citation
Styles: I accept MLA, APA or Chicago Manual Style.
i. Citation Help: https://www.scranton.edu/academics/wml/citation-help.shtml
c.
Acceptable
Web Resources:
i. Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art
History: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/
ii. Smart History: https://smarthistory.org/
iii. All other web-based resources that
are NOT found via the Library’s catalog must be approved by me in advance.
4.
Please
make sure you include your name, the course number, and title of your paper.
Elements of the Paper
Introduction
·
Identify
the building(s) that are the subject of your paper.
·
Provide
general information: name, location, date of opening, architect (when known).
·
Identify
the style(s) of architecture that correspond to the building (i.e. Gothic,
Neoclassical, Victorian, Industrial Era, Art Deco, etc.)
·
Describe
why you selected the building(s).
·
Provide
a thesis of your paper. (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a
LibGuide with tips on writing a thesis statement: https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/). The University of
Wisconsin-Madison also has helpful descriptions of thesis statements: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/process/thesis_or_purpose/
Information
·
Provide
historical information about the building(s) and architect(s), when available.
·
Discuss,
when knowable, the commission of the building. Who commissioned its
construction?
·
Describe
the building’s original function and purpose.
·
If
the function and purpose have changed over time, please explain those changes.
How has the building been adapted or modernized? The Smurfit Arts Center on
campus, for example, is a former church that was renovated by the University
for both administrative offices as well as an art studio.
·
Do
you notice any modern additions to the building(s) because of the changes in
its use?
Synthesis
·
Identify
and describe of the style(s) of the building(s). Describe the architectural characteristics
of the style based on your research.
·
Provide
some historical background on style(s). Keep in mind that many buildings are a
combination of two or more styles.
·
Where
(region, country, and/or culture) and when did the style originate?
o
Examples:
If the building is considered Neoclassical, that style refers to architecture
that borrows from Greek and Roman Classical architecture, its elements, and
appearance. And, Neo-Gothic Architecture borrows from the conventions of
medieval Gothic design.
·
Identify
and describe earlier examples of the style(s) with which your building(s) align.
o
Example:
Many important governmental buildings, like those at the U.S. Capital, follow
the layout classical Roman structures, like the domed ceiling of the Roman
Pantheon. You should describe the connections between earlier examples and your
chosen building.
·
Discuss
materials and construction methods to the extent that the information is
available. You may be able to determine, for example, if the building has
masonry, wood, or steel structural elements just by looking. Other structural
elements may not be visible. If you are able to enter the building, you may
discover exposed structural elements (beams, vaults, columns, etc.). Identify
and discuss how these relate to the construction methods we’ve learned about in
the course textbook and videos.
·
Discuss
the building(s) location and describe why its site or positioning within the
city might be important.
Analysis
·
Describe
the building through visual analysis. Discuss its appearance and aesthetic
characteristics. If helpful, watch my Visual Analysis video on Brightspace.
·
Analyze
how the building(s) visually compare to historical styles. Provide your own
observations about the building and connect/compare those observations to other
historical examples from your textbook.
·
Analyze
how the architectural style has been adapted over time. For example, Roman
architectural principles have been reused and remixed across time and location.
How does your building adhere to, adapt, transform or mimic an earlier style?
Assessment
·
Describe
and discuss, from your own perspective, the importance of the building to its
occupants and its community.
·
Describe
how it contributes to the architectural character of the city.
·
Discuss,
based on what you’ve learned in the course, why the architects might have
selected the materials, design, layout, and style of the building. Discuss
whether you agree with their choices. (For example: discussing your opinions about
the addition of a modern steel and glass structure to a historic Gothic church.)
Things to keep in
mind
·
Identify,
Discuss, Analyze
·
Use
appropriate terminology and define the terms you use, if helpful for
readability.
·
Include
images that illustrate your narrative and description of the building(s).
·
Some
buildings will have more historical information available than others. When not
much is known on the history of the Scranton building, your paper may focus
more heavily on an exploration of its style and historic buildings of that
style and how they compare to each other.
·
Visit
as many times as needed.
·
You
may or may not be able to enter the building. It might be helpful to call/email
ahead of your visit to ask if the public are allowed to enter and if there are
any restrictions. For example, you will likely not be permitted to enter the
Scranton Cultural Center or private office building, but buildings like the
Everhart Museum and structures are campus can most likely be entered. It is not
absolutely essential to enter the building, since you can perform a visual
analysis of the exterior, but it is something to consider in advance.
·
Take
lots of photos and include some in your paper. Include captions that either identify
you as the photographer or cite the source of the photo. Use the photos to
illustrate your discussion of the building and its style(s).
·
Always
capitalize the names of architects, styles, and buildings.
https://www-jstor-org.ezp.scranton.edu/stable/988301?seq=1
https://www-jstor-org.ezp.scranton.edu/stable/988429?seq=11
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=o0D8DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA303&dq=french+gothic+architecture+Musee+de+Cluny&ots=7DwLHEY7um&sig=FrwDCAoRJZQfmNfiPWe8Otxxch0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Outline So Far
Architecture Analysis: The Albright Memorial Library
Introduction
The Albright Memorial Library, a government-owned landmark
building, encompasses the French Gothic style. The Albright Memorial Library is
at 500 Vine Street, which marks the intersection of Vine Street and North Washington
Avenue. This building was originally constructed from 1891 until its opening in
June 1893. Green and Wicks of Buffalo, NY are the architects of this library
and the landscaping on the exterior was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. I
selected this building because I was interested in the comparison of this structure
to the medieval Cluny Museum in Paris. The Albright Memorial Library is
designed after and shares French Gothic style and elements with the Musee de Cluny
in Paris.
Background Information
Provide historical
information about the building(s) and architect(s), when available.
· Architects: Green & Wicks of Buffalo
· Landscape architect: Frederick Law Olmstead-
the father of American landscape architecture. He is known for his famous projects such as the Central Park, Prospect Park in
Brooklyn, the Emerald Necklace in Boston, and the grounds of the United States
Capitol in Washington, D.C. Olmsted’s vision of landscape architecture
emphasized the creation of open spaces that were accessible to all people,
regardless of social class. Olmsted’s legacy continues to influence urban
planning and landscape architecture today, with his principles of design and
stewardship of public spaces.
Discuss, when knowable, the commission of the building.
Who commissioned its construction?
· John Joseph Albright, a resident of Scranton,
gifted this public library in honor of his parents
Joseph and Elizabeth Albright.
Describe the building’s original function and purpose.
·
The
original and current function of this building is a public library to provide the
community with access to books, computers.
If the function and purpose have changed over time, please explain those
changes. How has the building been adapted or modernized?
·
Do you notice any modern additions to the building(s) because of the changes in
its use?
·
A
modern Addition to this structure was an elevator
Synthesis
Identify and describe of
the style(s) of the building(s). Describe the architectural characteristics of the
style based on your research.
· French gothic
Where (region, country, and/or culture) and when did the style originate?
· French gothic style originated from Europe
Identify and describe
earlier examples of the style(s) with which your building(s) align.
· Musee de Cluny
Discuss materials and
construction methods to the extent that the information is available. You may
be able to determine, for example, if the building has masonry, wood, or steel
structural elements just by looking. Other structural elements may not be
visible. If you are able to enter the building, you may discover exposed
structural elements (beams, vaults, columns, etc.). Identify and discuss how
these relate to the construction methods we’ve learned about in the course textbook
and videos.
Discuss the building(s)
location and describe why its site or positioning within the city might be important.
Analysis
Describe the building
through visual analysis. Discuss its appearance and aesthetic
characteristics. If
helpful, watch my Visual Analysis video on Brightspace.
Analyze how the
building(s) visually compare to historical styles. Provide your own
observations about the building and connect/compare those
observations to other historical examples from your textbook.
Assessment
Describe and discuss,
from your own perspective, the importance of the building to its occupants and
its community.
Describe how it
contributes to the architectural character of the city.
Discuss, based on what
you’ve learned in the course, why the architects might have selected the materials,
design, layout, and style of the building. Discuss whether you agree with their
choices.
(For example: discussing
your opinions about the addition of a modern steel and glass structure to a
historic Gothic church.)
Design a simple, naturally day-lit structure or pavilion that resists solar heat gain & glare and which also incorporates some form of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV). Sketch a simple floor plan with nearby site context, roof plan and a building section to illustrate the active solar design methods being employed. As applicable, identify any nearby vegetation (trees?), and pay attention to aesthetics (this is a design exercise, not merely an engineering activity). Consider using color and line-weight differentiation as a way to clearly communicate your design intent and to distinguish between physical elements and graphic notation (such as a north arrow). PLEASE INCLUDE NORTH ARROW
Your structure/pavilion can be located either at the area where you performed a Site Analysis or, for students in the 200B class, at the project site for that class.
I will provide student examples here:
Students will submit a written research paper of 1,200 words, a graphical analysis with accompanying images and citations to draw conclusions about the continuity of the architectural tradition and its value to current and future societal needs. I the Instructor assigns grades based on your detailed research, written production and appropriate image selection with all needed citations. The Final Written Assignment will be uploaded on Canvas via Assignments.
ASSIGNMENT: Final Research Paper, 20 Points or 20% of your Final Grade
The purpose of this project is to:
Apply research from a range of academic sources to evaluate the significance of historical and contemporary architecture. Critique contemporary architecture using architectural history and theory.
To achieve these learning outcomes, you will research and write a comparative analysis between a significant work of historical architecture and a significant modern or contemporary work of architecture in the Los Angeles region. You will compare and contrast central themes discussed in the readings and focus on the relationship between culture, ideas, and how architectural form expresses these meanings. As you conduct research and outline your findings, you will develop a thesis regarding the relationship of the works of architecture and their importance to the historical development of architecture and its relevance to contemporary cultural issues. The research paper will be 1200 words in length, plus diagrams, images and a list of works cited. Your analysis will apply research from scholarly texts, library resources, online sources and observation (where appropriate). In this research project you will analyze and evaluate both the historical and the modern works in terms of the architectural and historical context of each work and the relationship to cultural themes discussed in the course, including:
Site Context: Urban, Rural, Topography, Resources
Cultural Context: Social, Political, Religious, Artistic, Technical and Economic Scale, Order and Organization: Size, Proportion, Orientation, Geometry, Hierarchy, Axis, Symmetry, Module, Massing, etc.
Program and Circulation: Approach, Threshold, Entrance, Ambulation, Experiential Sequence, Spatial Relationships, Ritual Use and Purpose
Program and Circulation: Approach, Threshold, Entrance, Ambulation, Experiential Sequence, Spatial Relationships, Ritual Use and Purpose
Structure: Trabeated or Arcuated, Vaulted, Domed, Corbeled, Excavated, Truss, Poured, Cantilevered, etc.
Materiality and Technology: Earth, Stone, Concrete, Wood, Metal, Glass
Construction process: Design, measurement, logistics, challenges
Light: Natural light, Openings, Glazing, Artificial Light
Surface: Ornamentation, Surface Articulation, Texture, Material, Color
Other: Something peculiar to the work that makes it significant.
Examples of comparisons may include, (please check with me on your final selection):
The Athenian Acropolis and the Getty Center, Brentwood
The Villa of the Papyri, Herculaneum and the Getty Villa, Malibu
The Pantheon, Rome and the Griffith Observatory, Hollywood
The Colosseum, Rome and the SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Saint-Étienne, Caen, France (or other Romanesque Cathedral) and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles •
Katsura Imperial Villa and Gardens, Kyoto, Japan and The Gamble House, Pasadena
Governor’s Palace + Nunnery, Uxmal, ca 900CE and the Barnsdall House, Frank Lloyd Wright, Hollywood
Diagrams and images you might include:
Exterior Photographs
Interior Photographs
Site Context
Site Plan
Plans
Sections
Exterior Elevations
Organization – axis, symmetry, module
Circulation – approach, threshold, program and path
Structure
This research project will progress over the course of the semester, please include:
Research Materials – Identify at least five relevant academic sources
Create a Resource list to use in Work Cited section of your submission
Submit Research + Resource List with Final Paper
Final Submission- Week 15, May 14th, Two Weeks Prior to Finals Week, see schedule.
Compare and contrast papers are used to analyze the difference between two subjects.
Make sure to sufficiently describe both sides in the paper, and then move on to comparing and contrasting both thesis and supporting the one you find most compelling.
This is not a writing or literature course; architecture is by its very nature a visual and theoretical endeavor. When making citations the MLA format is best for this assignment. You may use this link to help you with your citations: https://guides.libraries.psu.edu/mlacitation/intextLinks to an external site.
I look forward to reading and viewing your final paper!
Read the rewrite section file first to understand the requirement then look at previous feedback and student example. We are only writing the site diary section. Make sure you annotate the provided images with subject related vocabularies. The major is construction.