ARCHITECTURE CULTURE AND HISTORY 2

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PROJECT 1: PRECEDENT STUDIES (GROUP & INDIVIDUAL)

INTRODUCTION

The evolution of Architecture was very rapid and revolutionary during the Modern Masters period as compared to other periods. Throughout the lectures, you will examine the principles, ideas and contributing factors that shaped Modern architecture. The project gives the students the opportunity to work with a group of peers to investigate the Architecture of Modern Masters. The project is designed to increase students’ ability to analyse visual evidence with specific reference to Modern Masters as precedent studies.

In a group of 5 students, we were assigned to choose only one building from a given list and conduct an architectural analysis of the building.

My group and I received the Farnsworth House by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

The analysis would have been in the format of a presentation board on which we had, as a group, to compose the board with the following elements:

General Information

Fast facts of the building

– building name, location, architect, size, function etc

The architect / Design Ideas / Concept / Dictum

Building Inventory

The group component is focusing on answering the “what” questions of the assigned building. The inventory should cover the themes listed below namely:

Spatial Organization (what is the plan like; it is open, compact or divided?)
Structure, Materials & Construction (what are the new methods and materials used in the building?)
Components (What are the types of windows, roof or other elements used in the building?)
Massing / Form (Does it look heavy and massive as in Gothic churches?)

The external façade (Does it have ornamentations on the facade?)

Learning Outcomes

Increase understanding on the principle, ideas and contributing factors of the architecture of Modern Masters
Ability to analyse and identify specific architectural features in terms of space planning, technology, details, form and the aesthetics of the architecture of Modern Masters
Learn how to create understanding in your audience visually by composing factual information and descriptive sketches on a presentation board.

The individual component analysis is about answering the “why” questions to further understand the underlying concepts and philosophy of the Modern Masters by using the physical evidence gained from group analysis. Each student is required to write a brief analytical essay by examining “why” the assigned Architect designed his building the way he did. However, do not write the essay on the whole building but choose only ONE from the given themes. (For e.g. If you choose the theme “façade”, just write on why the architect designed the façade that way. Does the façade in the assigned building reflect the architect’s philosophy? )

BUILDING DESCRIPTION

The Farnsworth House was designed and constructed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe between 1945-51. It is a one-room weekend retreat in a once-rural setting, located 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Chicago's downtown on a 60-acre (24 ha) estate site, adjoining the Fox River, south of the city of Plano, Illinois. The steel and glass house was commissioned by Dr. Edith Farnsworth, a prominent Chicago nephrologist, as a place where she could engage in her hobbies: playing the violin, translating poetry, and enjoying nature. Mies created a 1,500-square-foot (140 m2) house that is widely recognized as an iconic masterpiece of International Style of architecture. The home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006, after joining the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.[4] The house is currently owned and operated as a house museum by the historic preservation group, National Trust for Historic Preservation.

PROJECT 2: WEB BOOK

INTRODUCTION

Klang Valley is a rich source of architectural heritage dated from pre-colonial, colonial, post independence until present times. The historical richness creates a very vibrant architectural fabric. The modern architecture emerges rapidly from 1950’s to 1970’s as the economic growth spurs. This follows the international style that spreads across the world in 1930’s to 50’s. However, many historical modernistic buildings may face risk of being demolished to make way for more contemporary buildings. Thus, by recording, documenting and analysing the buildings, we can contribute to preserve the historical evidence of the valuable Modern Architecture in Klang Valley. The findings are to be compiled in essays and to be submitted using a web book platform. Web book is a publication in digital form, consisting of text (report), images, or both.

Learning Outcomes

Increase understanding on the principle, ideas and contributing factors of Modern Architecture in Klang Valley
Able to analyse and identify specific architectural features of Modern Architecture in Klang Valley
Able to document architectural heritage in the form of writings, descriptive diagrams and photography
Able to create a web book as a mean to publish academic materials

TASK

Students were to form a group of 5 students. The group will conduct a research and architectural analysis on a selected building. Each group will select ONE building from the given list. The group may also choose their own modern buildings around Klang Valley. Among the buildings, my group chosed the Menara Standard Chartered Building.

There are three steps to be done in completing the tasks:

Report
Layout Design
Web Book Compilation

BUILDING INTRODUCTION

Menara Standard chartered was formerly known as Shahzan tower, is located in Jalan Sultan Ismail, No.30, level 16, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was built in 1990 by Hijjas Kasturi Associates (Architect). In 2002, Shahzan tower changed their name into Menara Prime and did some renovation in the exterior and interior. One year after, it became Menara Standard Chartered. Menara Standard Chartered It is 46 storeys and stands within the golden triangle commercial district of Kuala Lumpur. Menara Standard Chartered is the 16th tallest building and one of the landmarks in Kuala Lumpur. The shaped is sculpted into five vertical “fingers” whose staggered height is reflected in detailing at the ground level which reinforces the theme at the human scale.

Completed in 1990, the architect behind this building is Hijjas Kasturi Assocaites. The building was initially called Shahzan Tower. The construction cost was 90 million Ringgit. It was also called the Shahzan Insas tower as it was owned by Insas Berhad, which is a stockbroking firm. 11 years after its’ completion, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation through its partner, Reco City Sdn Berhad bough Shahzan Insas Tower in November 2001 for RM135 million. Due to its strategic location, GIC foreseen that this building with considerable value-add potential can be redeveloped into a gold class office building. They employed DP architects and renovated this building in a large-scale. However, the renovation was not easy as they had to ensure during the process, the massive structure would stay intact. They employed skilled resources and succeed in transforming the property into one of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic buildings in a relatively short period of time. What’s best, the renovation helped preserved this iconic landmark without demolishing it . Soon after in November 2008, Dutch insurer ING bought Standard Chartered Tower for RM 328.85 million. Their main motive was to invest in properties in Malaysia.

The building, other than is one of Kuala Lumpur’s prime office buildings, it is also located in the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur. The predicted capital appreciation is also expected to be at a consistent rate . Today, the building is home to Standard Chartered Bank and a host of other multi-national companies.Completed in 1990, the architect behind this building is Hijjas Kasturi Assocaites. The building was initially called Shahzan Tower. The construction cost was 90 million Ringgit. It was also called the Shahzan Insas tower as it was owned by Insas Berhad, which is a stockbroking firm. 11 years after its’ completion, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation through its partner, Reco City Sdn Berhad bough Shahzan Insas Tower in November 2001 for RM135 million. Due to its strategic location, GIC foreseen that this building with considerable value-add potential can be redeveloped into a gold class office building. They employed DP architects and renovated this building in a large-scale. However, the renovation was not easy as they had to ensure during the process, the massive structure would stay intact. They employed skilled resources and succeed in transforming the property into one of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic buildings in a relatively short period of time. What’s best, the renovation helped preserved this iconic landmark without demolishing it .

Soon after in November 2008, Dutch insurer ING bought Standard Chartered Tower for RM 328.85 million. Their main motive was to invest in properties in Malaysia. The building, other than is one of Kuala Lumpur’s prime office buildings, it is also located in the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur. The predicted capital appreciation is also expected to be at a consistent rate . Today, the building is home to Standard Chartered Bank and a host of other multi-national companies.

In conclusion, the Menara Standard Chartered is one of Malaysia’s eye-candy when it comes to its architecture. Having such a modern structure in the midst of the city of Kuala Lumpur, it has received many compliments and reviews from well-known architects whether locally or globally. All it’s specifically thought of design not only adds to its aesthetic value, but also its functionality. It’s also one building that should be kept as a national treasure within this country.

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