A FORETASTE OF ASIAN ARCHITECTURE Asian Architecture is a very broad topic.

It covers all cultures, all beliefs and all traditions that have influenced the type of architecture of the countries it holds within its boundaries. Throughout the course, we have learned many things about Asia and how their cultures overlapped their boundaries thus having commonalities within it. We have discussed how architecture has evolved and what forces had shaped the kind of architecture Asia has today. It has been a very good experience taking up this class. I have learned that Asian Architecture is more than a type of architecture that is seen in the Asian region. It is a discrete type of architecture bearing the identity of Asia as a whole. The first discussion was about, orientalism and the views about Asian Architecture. We have learned that there are two kinds of critics: one who sees from the inside and one who sees from outside. I, being part of the Asian culture, am the kind who sees from the inside. And as I can see, I would never describe the culture where I live in an inferior culture for in this state, one can see the perfect view of the Asian culture. Because of this course, we have learned to defend our view points towards Asian architecture. The next thing I have learned through this course is the identity of Southeast Asia that distinguished it from the rest of the world. Being known as a tropical region, Southeast Asia is proclaimed as a separate area and has bound its scope by the commonalities of the countries within it. Countries within Southeast Asia do not share a single tradition but are connected because of the widespread beliefs such as Christianity, Buddhism and Taoism. However, it was so much fun learning that it wasnt just the culture that binds countries in the pacific. It was amazing answering the question why there are dwellings found in different countries of Southeast Asia that resemble one another. It is because of their shared context of being a tropical region. Because of this understanding about Southeast Asia, I can confidently say that tourists hopping from countries within Southeast Asia would have the same feel. Then as our classes continue, we get to discuss about Indian architecture and the concept of Axis Mundi. Indian architecture is very much different to Southeast Asian architecture for it is inspired by a different set of beliefsHinduism. From this spiritual practice, the concept of vastu shastra is formed. Vastu shastra like its Chinese parallel, the feng shui, determines the recommended space planning for houses and other structures. It is their doctrine in architecture that must be followed to attain the good luck the people want. Another concept that is rooted in the Indian culture, is the concept of feeling a bit of heaven on earthAxis Mundi. A cultures Axis Mundi is any sacred place that reminds or links the locale to the heavens and to the Divine. Because of our discussion, we have learned that even in our Philippine culture, we also have the concept of Axis Mundi in Churches for Christians and in the Mosques for Moslems. After knowing much of this Axis Mundi, we then discussed about the Islamic Architecture in Asia. It is comparable to the famous style of Christian faith. Just like in the Christian context, water feature is very important. However, unlike the commonly known view about Christianitythe Catholicism, the Islam faith does not tolerate imitation of human forms in aesthetics. Also, Islamic Architecture is known for its intricate details for each structures arches. Since human and animal forms are highly discouraged in the design, floral and geometric abstraction has been the focus of this kind of architecture. Though the Islamic Architecture has its general features as mentioned above, it also varies through different regions of Asia. In Middle East Asia, Islamic Architecture follow the context of hot dry, thus the design is filled with many courtyards enclosing water features as ponds and fountains to give a humid setting. It is noticeable that Middle East Asian Architecture is fully developed to have utmost thermal insulation to regulate the extreme changes of temperature during the day and night. On the other hand, Islamic Architecture in the Tropics

is very much Southeast Asian in its sense. We can trace back history and find that early Mosques are resemblance of the Javanese Pagodas and Chinese Temples. However, features and functions are maintained. In every Islamic dwelling and structure, we can always see their prayer rooms facing the direction towards Mecca which for them is a Holy Land. After this discussion, I have learned much about that faith has been a big influence to architecture and that it wasnt just the form that dictates its functions bu t also the trifling details which seem to be feeble and unimportant. After learning about Middle East Asian and Islamic Architecture, we then went back to the Architecture of East Asia, discussing specifically Chinese and Japanese Architecture. We have learned through this discussion that even though most people mistakenly connote one from the culture of the other, Chinese and Japanese Architectures are different from each other. Chinese architecture is known to value societal class in its design and space planning It is hierarchical for in Chinese architecture, designers have an intricate concept of privacy; the head of the family is given the most private space while the children and the common man are located near the dwellings entrances. Chinese Architecture is symmetric in its form as it is acknowledged in their imperial palaces. On the other hand, Japanese Architecture is known to value natural settings. This is seen in every Japanese structure. As I can notice as I watch Japanese historical documentaries, I can always see the unpainted walls and roofs of a typical Japanese dwelling. They have this concept of noble imperfection where, the more natural a thing appears; the more beautiful it would look for them. Because of this course, I have realized that these neighbour countries of the Philippines have influenced our architecture so much. We can notice in every home, the presence of a minimalist garden which can be traced back to the Zen garden of Japan. We are also known for valuing family traditions so much and have this concept of respect for authority. And as shown in our structures, the higher your class standing is, the better the placement in a building or structure. These are all the cultures and traditions that Asia has in its boundaries. Each differs with the others in some ways. However, because of the modernizing age, each culture has passed through the time when technological breakthrough has fashioned their designs. Little by little, the distinction between cultures through architecture gets blurry. Because of this, a new style has been developedcritical regionalism. In critical regionalism, designers try to showcase the nations culture without ignoring the presence of the modernizing society. Because of these, nations identities that are lost in the period of modernist architecture are once more getting back in sight. Through critical regionalism, each designer and planner of space, as I, realized that though the presence of modernization is good, it is still better to have your unique identity and from there develop to a wonderful and profitable nation. To sum things up, Asian Architecture is a collection of different cultures with overlapping traditions. I am so much privileged to have this experience. In this course, I have learned that though Asia is a distinct region of the world; inside are many more varieties of cultures and traditions thus having a numerous set of Architectural identities. It feels good to attain this much knowledge about Asian Architecture and because of this course, I get to have closer look with what I may become in the future.