BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE

THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303

SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (August 2017)

Name: Syed Aswad Al Jaffree ID No.: 0318625

Lecturer: Mr. Prince Favis Isip Tutorial Time:
Reader/Text Title: Body, Memory and Synopsis No: 1
Architecture Author: Charles W. Moore
Moore describes the landscape of the human inner world as the "only humane starting point for the
organization of the space around us", defining the spaces we inhabit in boundaries, from the individual
boundaries of ourselves to the ones we extend and share with larger communities to help us make sense of
ourselves and the world around us.

The first tangible boundary of man comprises the array of architectural elements that man uses to construct
his dwelling and consequently, helps to relate an inside to the rest of the world. Moore argues however, that
beyond this first boundary, the architectural toolbox does not expand; it becomes instead a guiding template
for us to design our consequent boundaries. "Though the structures remain the same, the choreography of
the trip to them can intensify their importance to us…" he quotes, implying that variation and further
meaning come in the way we choreograph our boundaries, much like the way a piece of music is
composed. Once the first boundary (basic elements such as melody and rhythm) has been established, the
variation in the arrangement of notes and tempo turn it into a song, giving it identity and significance to us.
Moore however argues that dwellings of today lack the connection between the site, as well as fail to
emotionally move its inhabitants, resulting in alienated, forgettable architecture. "Buildings, we are certain,
given enough care, are capable of repaying that care", he quotes, whilst further stating that if we will care
increasingly for our buildings if we are able to create sense of human drama, tension or collision of forces to
maintain human involvement and make a place memorable. This reminds me of the same way how a
favourite MJ song I resonate with stays with me until today even after hearing it so many years ago, while
some garbage on the radio I forget as soon as the next track comes on. It can be said that the greater the
ability of the architect to strategically and accurately choreograph the experience of its inhabitants, the more
engaging and memorable will the architecture be.
Overall, the author discusses the ability of architecture in its basic elements to construct our dwellings, as
well as the choreography of such elements and the role they play in creating an engaging and memorable
experience for its inhabitants.

Word Count: 389 Mark Grade

Assessed by: Date Page No. 194 - 201