BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM (ARC61303/ARC2224)

SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (AUGUST 2016) [10 MARKS]

NAME: ADIBAH BAHIAH BINTI AWANG ID: 0316318

LECTURER: PN NOR HAYATI HUSSAIN TUTORIAL TIME: 2.00 – 4.00

SYNOPSIS NO: 3 READER TITLE : THE EYES OF THE SKIN, 1996

AUTHOR: JUHANI PALLASMAA

In essence, the main idea of the text speaks of the importance of other sensory aspects

such as touch, smell, hearing, etc in comparison to visuals. It is a response to the current status of

society, whereby architecture is judged mostly by how they look, as supposed to how they

interact with the human body, and people in general. The author stresses on the importance of

the engagement of our bodies with buildings. Pallasmaa (1996) suggests that visuals are meant to

be developed as a result of our haptic senses, therefore proving that it is secondary. The eye is

considered as something that represents distance and separation, whereas the skin evokes a

sense of intimacy.

The text states that architecture is an engagement of multiple senses. The body

complements the eye in providing tangible experiences, rather than just visuals. The combination

of these sensory elements creates a holistic approach in architecture, such as the Falling water by

Frank Lloyd Wright. The interaction that happens between the building and its surrounding

context creates a pleasant experience that can be felt by the body entirely. And this, according to

Pallasmaa is what makes good architecture.

The author touches on a lot of issues that we take for granted. With vision being our

primary sense, we often interpret things on a surface level, without giving it the chance to

stimulate the other senses that exists in our body. However, that being said, visuals are just as

important as anything else. This is due to the fact that visuals are the very first exposure we have

to just about anything - therefore it plays an important role, and leaves a great impact on the

body. Visuals act as first impressions. These impressions are important in deciding whether or not

a person would want to experience something in the first place, which will then eventually lead to

the engagement of other senses such as touch, smell and hearing.

WORD COUNT 323

Key points (2.5)

Appropriateness of

Terminologies (2.5)

Clarity in Opinions and

Reactions (2.5)

Logical Progression (2.5)

DATE: TOTAL MARK & GRADE

ASSSESSED BY:

SYNOPSIS DESCRIPTION

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC

Grades Marks Key points (2.5) Appropriateness of Terminologies (2.5)

Clarity in Opinions and Reactions (2.5)

Logical Progression (2.5)

A 1.8 - 2.5

Evidence of outstanding understanding of Key points through clear explanation

Appropriate use of Terminologies In discussing the Issues/ Concepts/Theories

Outstanding Clarity in opinions and reactions - Supported with strong Logical explanation

Outstanding Articulation of logical expressions ending with well-developed paragraphs

B 1.5 - 1.79

Evidence of understanding of Key points through reasonable explanation

Reasonable use of Terminologies In discussing the Issues/ Concepts/Theories with Minor unfamiliarity

Reasonable clarity in opinions and reactions - Supported with Logical explanation

Reasonable Articulation of logical expressions ending with well-developed paragraphs

C 1.25 - 1.49

Evidence of Some Understanding of Key points through acceptable explanation

Acceptable use of Terminologies In discussing the Issues/ Concepts/Theories with Noticeable unfamiliarity

Acceptable Clarity in opinions and reactions - Supported with satisfactory explanation

Acceptable Articulation of logical expressions ending with some ambiguous statements

D 1 - 1.24

Evidence of Some Understanding of Key points through not quite acceptable explanation

Evidence of Terminologies however poorly communicated in discussing The Issues/ Concepts/Theories With

Weak Clarity in opinions and reactions - Supported with Lengthy explanation

Poor Articulation of logical expressions ending with noticeable ambiguous statements

F 0 - 0.99

Insufficient Evidence of Understanding of Key points through weak explanation

Insufficient Evidence of Terminologies in discussing the Issues/ Concepts/Theories With

Improper opinions and reactions. Not Matching the Issues/ Concepts/ Theories -Inadequate Reasons

Unable to Articulate / illogical expressions. Poorly written synopsis.