btw yuexia, u get nus offer to study there?

arghh i can't even sketch properly..toning , contrast , detail. All these are too difficult for me to handle.im still new to the drawing scene T.T

Any ideas on how i should brush up my sketching skills ? it's my 1st week in college and i've already been given an assignment regarding sketching.2 hours into sketching and not even half of my work done.

there's a book called visual architecture dictionary (or something like that) that i find quite useful for most beginners. just like any dictionary, it describes the meaning of a particular word. but not just by textual descriptions, but also using pictures, diagrams and drawings.

one of the worst thing that could happen to u during ur studies is not knowing what the lecturers or others are talking about. architecture is its own language. what we communicate amongst each other are very different from what laymen would understand it. yes, we use english, but not in a way that makes sense to others.

so quickly build up ur vocabulary during ur early years.

do you mean 'A Visual Dictionary of Architecture' by Francis D. K. Ching?

yup, that's the one.

i realized its importance during the 2nd week of my 1st year. the tutor starts talking about how architraves are becoming extinct and roman balustrades are taking over the front facade of houses in malaysia. i was like... WTF? architraves? balustrades? facade?
so the dictionary to the rescue...

3) Illustrated research paper (50%) [Individual]
A major component of the semester’s work will be to focus on a specific aspect of contemporary theory (since WWII). The final outcome of this project is a 2500-3000 words (not exceeding 10 pages) illustrated research paper on one of the following recommended topic:
• Describe Mies van der Rohe’s concept of ‘space’, and discuss its application and effects into domestic and public architecture. Use architecture designed by Mies as objects for discussion.
• Describe Philip Johnson’s theory of the International Style. Discuss its implications on the development of ‘glass house’ architecture in Western and Asian contexts
• Describe Le Corbusier’s theory of ‘the house is a machine for living in’. Discuss in-depth its application into architectural design by using one example of Corbusier’s works. Is it applicable to contemporary housing in current context? Why?
• Describe the theory of Kenneth Frampton ‘Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six points of an architecture of resistance’ and discuss its implication on architecture. For discussion, use 2 works of Alvar Aalto to demonstrate the application of the ideas of regionalism into architectural form and space.
• Postmodern theories stressed on ideas of historicism. Describe Robert Venturi’s postmodern theories (Learning from Las Vegas/Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture). Discuss the different ways of application and their effects on Asian cities by using examples of built forms within the city of Kuala Lumpur (for e.g. Segi College etc)
• Describe the theory of phenomenology by using works of Holl and Pallasmaa. Discuss whether architecture of Tadao Ando exemplifies this theory. Use 2 of Ando’s churches as objects for discussion.
• Describe Mario Botta’s design philosophy which focused on the poetry of form and space. Compare Botta’s design theory to that of Louis I Kahn’s theory of light and silence in terms of its articulation of light and materiality.
• Describe the theory of Le Corbusier’s ‘Five Points towards a new architecture’ and its application into Villa Savoye. Compare the application of these points with Shigeru Ban’s Curtain Wall House.
• Describe Tadao Ando’s concept of ‘space’ in terms of spiritual/religious architecture. Differentiate how his theory has been applied into architectural design in different setting/context. To do this, compare the application of his concept of space into two works (Church of Light which is situated in an urban site, and Church on the Water which is situated on an open terrain)
• Describe Steven Holl’s design theory of phenomenology. Discuss how these ideas are translated into his work, The Chapel of St. Ignatius, Seattle. Discuss whether the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Puchong embodies the essence of space similar to the work of Holl.
• Describe theory of deconstructivism. Compare and contrast the application of deconstructivist ideas into contemporary architecture by using two examples from different architects (Zaha Hadid/Peter Eisenmann/Frank Gehry/Daniel Libeskin/Greg Lynn).
• Deconstructivist architecture such as Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (1997) in Spain by Frank Gehry has created a so called ‘Bilbao effect’. Describe what it means by the ‘Bilbao’ effect, and describe how architecture played a role as a catalyst in the urban condition. Discuss similarities which can be found in Asian countries by giving 2 examples (for e.g. Esplanade in Singapore) and explaining the effects architecture has on the urban conditions.
• Describe broadly the importance of ‘journey’ in crafting architectural space, i.e. how the journey can become a key design issue. Discuss the use of ‘journey’ as a design generator by using one memorial architecture and one art gallery/museum. Are there differences and similarities in the way journey is crafted in the different types of buildings
• Describe the key ideas of Christopher Alexander’s ‘Pattern Language’. Analyze Daniel Libeskin’s Berlin Jewish Museum in terms of the following patterns:
110. Main entrance
114. Hierarchy of open space
115. Courtyards which live
120. Path and Goals
121. Path Shapes
131. The flow through rooms

Note: You may frame your own topic in consultation with your tutor.

arghh i can't even sketch properly..toning , contrast , detail. All these are too difficult for me to handle.im still new to the drawing scene T.T

Any ideas on how i should brush up my sketching skills ? it's my 1st week in college and i've already been given an assignment regarding sketching.2 hours into sketching and not even half of my work done.

I always go to Basheer in BB Plaza, not much choice but cheaper than Kinokuniya. Anyone can recommend a cheaper place?

I'm currently doing a 30x30x40 basic shapes project that represent famous architect's principles and moods.
I am totally out of idea, anyone can recommend me a website or a book to read up?

I need help here!!! I've just got one of my assignments from the subject building construction. It required us to do a model of a building using the 20 x 10 x 9mm MDF blocks. Does anyone here know where to get it around KL and PJ area? How much it cost ? According to the lecturer, we will need around 3000 to 5000 pieces of blocks to complete one model. Where can find the best deal?

thanks in advance

20x10x9mm? those are very, very small blocks. i dunno where u can get them. ask ur lecturer back lah. it's not something u can easily find like mounting board or softboards. might as well get lego sets

anyone taking AED at uia?

What do you suggest for bonding thats clean?

Here come another new assignment for me which is a research...i was asked to do the research about Mies Van Der Rohe the architect. Can the "seniors" here give me some list of books which related to this person? just need some help if anyone had ever read about him in any book, and tell me the book name or anything related to him...

thanks in advance...

i contemplate on dropping my course like 10 times a day.