ARCHITECTURE, THEORY AND CRITIQUE RESEARCH ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
Write a 2,500 words research essay (excluding Reference List). Revisiting what you thought was luxurious in an architect's work in the previous assignment. Now choose a particular architectural site (from the list on the next page) - in groups of 3 or 4 people. Then, each student is required to answer each of the following questions succinctly in a whole essay format - your essay will be written from your own perspective and offering your own critical observations.
Respond to all Research Essay Questions:
Identify the social, economic, political, cultural conditions of the architectural site in its immediate context (each person in each group concentrates on one of these aspects)
Analyse the impact of the architectural site by critiquing how different effects, specifically material excess, conceptual and functional relations of the site influences or in influenced by the context.
Critique 5 different architectural theories that relate to your specific site. Out of those 5 you have critiqued, which issue do you think is important for architecture today? Why?
Formulate your own critical insights about the effect(s) of the architectural site. Support your critical insights with reasons and particular examples. In terms of its urban, suburban or rural context, what has changed? Have those changes improved society?