Rasmussen chapter, Architecture

Points:

 Architecture as Fine Arts; concerned with the beautiful, judged by external appearance
 Factors and elements must harmonize with each other
 Architecture as indivisible; a sum of its parts
 Art should not be explained but experienced
 Architect works with form, mass, color. It is a functional art. Architecture, as opposed to sculpture, is more abstract
because it has utility
 Architecture means shapes formed around man
 Architect as a (painter and a) theatrical producer, someone who plans the setting of our lives
 It has to be fitting, otherwise they will not go together and become false and pretentious
 Should be in right site and in the right surroundings
 Architect’s work is intended to live on into the future
 Architects work with living things
 One proof of good architecture is that is being utilized as the architect has planned
 Creative process defines true nature of Architecture
 The architect remains anonymously in the background
 Architecture as art of organization
 It lacks emotional sensitivity; seeks a form which is more explicit and finished
 No other art employs a colder, more abstract form, but at the same time, no other art is so intimately connected
with man’s daily life from cradle to grave
 It is based on human instincts, discoveries, and experiences
 By a variety of experiences, he learns to judge things. Often this is enough, he is able to tell what a stone if like
without touching it at all; a mere glance is sufficient.
 From such observations we learn that there are certain forms which are called hard and soft, regardless of
whether the materials they are made of are actually soft or hard
 A soft thing that was hardened by a special process; can be applied even to the largest structures
 Form can also give an impression of heaviness or lightness
 Without touching the materials, we are aware of the essential difference between such things
 Tautness vs slackness
 Most buildings consist of a combination; these are all elements of Architecture. To experience Architecture, you
must be aware of all of these
 Each object has its own personality and a particular effect upon our minds. There are sensations these various
things arouse
 Treating it as a living thing with its own physiognomy
 We are not aware of what it is that we perceive but only the conception created in our minds when we perceive it
 The best buildings have been produced when the architect has been inspired by something in the problem which
will give the building a distinctive stamp
 External features become a means of communicating feelings, however, the only messaged conveyed is of
conformity – attuned to the rhythm of the era
 Those who lived in that era were not aware of it
 Details tell nothing essential about architecture, simply because the object of all good architecture is to create
integrated wholes. It is not enough to see architecture; you must experience it
 Observe how it was designed for a purpose and how it was attuned to the entire concept and rhythm of an era
 Man, alone forms dwellings which vary according to requirements, climate, and cultural pattern. Refined methods
of enclosing space
a. How does the topic of the author fit into the context of Arch 10? Provide background information from our Arch 10
modules that relate to the matter discussed.

The main point of the reading was how Architecture should be experienced, rather than just explained. That is, from our
experiences arise our instincts, discoveries, and the holistic understanding of how and what true Architecture is. Similar to
our discussion in Arch 10, one highlighted source of creativity is experience. It truly is self-explanatory how experience is
our best teacher and how it molds us into becoming better in design by showing us firsthand what is, what isn’t, and what
might be. Here, creativity comes in because we are allowed to design according to our own liking and pace, from which we
learn not only the definition of design, but as well as how we enhance, elaborate, and apply what we assimilate
continuously. Another point that fits our discussion is observing how structures are designed for a particular purpose and
how it is attuned to a concept. In all of our exercises and plates, one criterion that is always present is the fulfillment of
design requirements. Hence, there is always a purpose for every design. The author noted that, as opposed to other art
forms, Architecture is more abstract because it has utility. It forms shapes around man and those forms connect to man’s
daily lives. Similar to our case, we were instructed to create a paper sculpture, a greened chair, and even a folly, all to
serve a specific purpose, all for the advancement and/or pleasure of man. Last but not the least, one notable aspect that I
want to ponder on is the idea that “the best buildings have been produced when the architect has been inspired by
something in the problem which will give the building a distinctive stamp.” Our usual mindset when supplying a solution to a
problem is to simply eradicate the problem via a standard or creative means. The author pointed, however, that by
becoming inspired by something in the problem, we are able to make our provision distinctive. In my experience, when we
were asked to think of a design for a paper sculpture for only an hour, I was rattled. My problem was the inspiration for the
design, or the lack thereof. But one source of creativity was the deadline itself. Indeed, it was true. I had to make something
out that problem. About 15 minutes left, I looked around and saw an inspiration coming from the light hitting the window at
a particular angle, causing the window to cast a circular shadow on the wall. This became the basis of our design. From the
problem itself arose a unique inspiration, which, in turn, gave our paper sculpture a special, distinctive stamp.

b. What key points were made by the author? Describe at least 3 points. What is your opinion about these?

The first one is how Architecture is concerned with the beautiful and how it is usually only judged by external appearance.
In reality, however, the building’s appearance is only of the several factors the architect is involved with. “He studies plans,
sections, and elevations… and believes that for it to be a good building, these must harmonize with each other.” The author
also compared the architect to a theatrical producer because he plans the setting of people’s lives. As an architecture
student, I understand how a building cannot only have a single element. A house with only a door isn’t a house. A building
with only its façade isn’t a building. It has to be fitting; that is, it should be in the right site and the right environment. Certain
components, certain principles must go hand in hand to create a building with utility. I am at awe at how an architect has to
consider several aspects, especially living things, when designing because no matter how beautiful his conception is, if it
does not allow people, animals, and even plants to flourish, it is deemed futile and of no purpose. Architecture is indivisible.
That is, it is the sum, or even more than, of its parts.

Second, Architecture is a functional art. And unlike other types of art, it should be experienced rather than just be
explained. Even from our birth up to this point in our lives, our experiences shaped, and is shaping how we think, see, and
feel. It molds us into having certain sets of instincts, smarts, and erudition. And by a combination of these experiences, we
learn to judge things based on a number of factors and criteria. Rasmussen showed examples of this idea through things
as small as balls, to large ones like pavements and structures. He highlighted that because of certain experiences, we are
able to judge things without actually touching them. I hadn’t thought much about it, but now that I am enlightened, I realize
that a mere glance is indeed sufficient. I know that the surface of my sketch journal is smooth just by looking at it because
I’ve held it countless times. I know that the surface of our greened chair is rather rough because we assembled it with
corrugated board. I know that the pavement behind Building 3 is hard because we once sat upon it while sketching. From
such observations I was able to gather enough experiences that allowed me to judge things even just by imagination.

Lastly, I want to ponder on the irony of Architecture’s forms. Architecture lacks emotional sensitivity for it seeks a form
which is more explicit and finished. Truly, we do not view houses and skyscrapers in the same manner that we view
paintings and sculpture. We do not scan them at museums for half a minute then proceed to the next artwork. Architecture
has a special quality and great clarity of its own. It does not need thorough interpretations for it is comprehensible and
organized; the design speaks for itself. As the author noted, whether it be a medieval cathedral or a modern building, it has
rhythm and harmony that is attributed to organization, which is the underlying idea of Architecture. Hence, no other art
employs a colder, more abstract form. But at the same time, no other art is also much intimately connected with man’s daily
life. An architect’s medium is space. And in this space, man is supposed to thrive. It is supposed to give him shelter and
provide venues for the creation of all sorts of memories and experiences. From hospitals where a child is born, and homes
where birthdays are celebrated, to churches where the dead is blessed for the last time, Architecture is present. Truly, it is
connected with man from cradle to grave. This summates the task of Architecture – to bring order and relation into human
surroundings, for humans.
The subject matter of this exercise is the most notable place that you will be at during the period of October 31
to November 2. It can be the cemetery, your family's trip destination, or where you are staying (your own
house, apartment, condo or dorm).

Having determined this place, describe it using text and drawings, using Rasmussen's chapter as guide for
proper observation.

Once described, answer the following question critically, again using the Rasmussen chapter as guide: How is
the place memorable?
Typical families travel great lengths to visit the departed during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. We, too, used to visit my
grandparents’ graves in Batangas or in Bicol (depending on whether it was my mother or my father’s time to decide), back
when my lola was still physically able to ride our van for long periods of time. This year, however, my mom and my sisters
decided to stay at home to rest. As a result, I was stuck at home for the holiday. I’m not complaining, though, because I’ve
always seen our house as my safe place – somewhere I could just exist without being bombarded with deadlines or by the
thought of having to be presentable. Here, I was myself.

Our house has only been standing for about 20 months. It was late 2017 when we moved into this modern and minimalist
home. When you enter the main gate, you are greeted by the front lawn at your left side. These plants give our abode the
soft, natural portion it needed to balance out all the concrete. The greenery goes through the sides of the lot and behind the
house itself. The rough pavement which serves as the parking space is at your right. The façade is painted white with only
wall lights as its embellishment. The inside of the house rather plain, with only the necessities present. If you are by the
front door, at your right is the dining, and behind it is the very busy kitchen. The second level is filled with bedrooms, with
one bathroom at the middle. After you walk through the hallway, you’d see the open below at your right and in front is the
door to the balcony. The balcony is enclosed with a wall with rough, grey bricks or decostone to complement the dark hue
of the other adjacent to it. These bricks give the overall façade of our house its accent. On the third floor, only one bedroom
is present along with a family room. And if you go outside, there is a

Once described, answer the following question critically, again using the Rasmussen chapter as guide: How is
the place memorable?

To answer the question about what makes this place memorable is pretty simple – it’s memorable because it’s
home. Being a new college student in a new environment surrounded with new faces, going home after a tiring
and draining day is, for me, the best remedy. It’s memorable because most of my favorite memories and
favorite people are here. I’ve travelled to different places, to a different country, even, but still, nothing beats
the feeling of coming back to your most beloved place – your home.