Asian Architecture [ARC 2213/2234]
Module Synopsis
The subject explores the history of South, Southeast and East Asian architecture as a whole within a systematic
treatment of architectural design and construction, building science and technology, garden design and city
planning through three key themes: sustainability, tradition and modernity & globalisation. These themes will
guide the organisation of weekly lecture and projects, which will proceed from the establishment of a basic
theoretical apparatus to the examination of specific cases. Students will develop a written essay on Asian
architecture and urbanism and interpret Asian architectural language through verbal and video presentations.
Module Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Describe the historical development of the main strands of Asian architecture
2. Identify a broad range of issues related to the historical and chronological transitions of Asian
architectural history
3. Interpret architectural language in relation to the development of Asian architecture and urbanism based
on the themes of tradition, modernity and globalisation
4. Analyse and discuss the relationship between architecture and its social, cultural and intellectual context
within the Asian region
5. Differentiate the way in which many varied factors contribute to the development of Asian architecture
and urbanism
6. Produce, orally and in writing, a critical interpretation of Asian architecture and urbanism in relation to
relevant issues within the contemporary architecture and design.
Project 1: Case Study Paper
This project is driven by Architectural Design Studio 4, as an approach to support students’ design through
extensive research within the framework of sustainability design in Asia. The sustainability design framework
focuses on the building assigned for site visit, with research objectives defined through in-depth literature review,
leading to a well-established case study paper structure and writing.
This Project has allowed us students to think about design strategies with its suitability on sustainable architecture, nature's interaction, and its inhibition in Asia. This opens this mind to think of ideas and designs past its floorplans but to strengthen the ability to passively use everyday use, climate factors and regional factors to the building design for the future.
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Objectives of Project
 To integrate architectural design and research through a specific case study, supporting students’
design through extensive research within the framework of sustainability design in Asia.
ï‚· To introduce students to activities which culminate in the production of the study; collection, indexing
and evaluation of information; analysis of information; compilation and organization of study; writing of
study; assembly of illustration and text; design of layout; binding and presentation.
Learning Outcomes of this Project
ï‚· Analyse and discuss in depth on the selected research area based on the assigned building, within the
framework of sustainable design.
ï‚· Identify significant elements of sustainable design through investigation on the assigned building.
ï‚· Produce, orally and in writing, a critical interpretation of sustainable design of the assigned building.
ï‚· A paper (3,000 to a maximum of 4000 words, double-spaced).
 A power point presentation (10 minutes) – which contains an outline of the paper covering key issues
and themes explored, as well as bibliography.
Project 2
This project was to develop critical perspectives on architecture and urbanism in situations where tradition, modernity and globalization intersect through an exploration of the history of South, Southern and East Asian architecture. It is to promote and develop us students' knowledge and understanding of selected aspects of Asian architectural and urban design through first-hand experience gained through a study visit to an appropriate local or overseas location relevant to the theme.
This improved my skills and independencein information gathering, visual and verbal analysis where we had to interview and locate features of the site.
Our site was Dataran Merdeka and learned about the historical context of the area as well as the national aspect of it.
The outcomes of the project:
Identifying a broad range of issues related to the historical and chronogical transitions of Asian architectural history.
Interpreting architectural language inrelation to the development of Asian architecture and urbanism based on theme of tradition, modernity and globalization.
The project is separated with a Site Plan visualisation plan and a photobook to show contextual understanding.
