ASIAN ARCHITECTURE (ARC60403/ARC2234)

Project Part B: Case Study Paper

Topic and Issue Proposal (10%) Due Date: 11th October 2016
Prepare a two-page type-written proposal, including a concept mapping, a summary of the
topic and/or issue to be explored, some of the questions you hope to address, along with a
title, and an annotated bibliography of sources.
Student names and ID:
1. Wong Zhen Fai 0317890
2. Yan Wai Chun 0319626
3. Khor Hao Xiang
4. Teo Hong Wei 0322990
5. Eddie Poh Goh King 0322915
6. Yeoh Xiang An 0322691
Tutor: Koh Jing Hao

Usage of traditional building materials in Great

Bamboo Wall to integrate with the surrounding
physical and cultural context.
Concept Mapping

Research Questions
1. How does bamboo, as a building material, promote integration with the surrounding
physical context in terms of visual appearance and form?
2. How does bamboo, as a building material, promote integration with the surrounding
cultural context in terms of material characteristics and cultural significance?
3. If bamboo was to be substituted with a modern building material, what will be the
difference and impact to the original concept?
4. What were the existing and significant elements of the physical and cultural context
that were focused in depth with during the design process?
5. How does the modern construction method incorporate with the traditional building
materials to achieve the essence of the material?

Summary of Topic
Buildings that are designed in regards to the context seamlessly coexist with
the surroundings. It does not stick out like a sore thumb when viewed as a whole
with the context. Furthermore, buildings that are contextually designed are tailored fit
to the specific context and will not blend in harmoniously if placed at different
contexts.
Kengo Kuma is a renowned Japanese architect known for his contextual
designs and philosophy. Most of his works include the usage of bamboo and other
traditional building materials. One of his greatest examples would be the Great
Bamboo Wall in Beijing, China. The assigned brief was to design a villa while
preserving the original geographical context and to utilise the local materials as
much as possible.
Bamboo is significant to the physical context of the Great Bamboo Wall.
China is most well-known as the Bamboo Kingdom as it has an abundance of
bamboo. Therefore, it is easily harvested from site and its rapid growth will cause
minimal harm to the natural environment. Moreover, bamboo is being used for its
verticality to blend with the surrounding forests. Lastly, the main element of the
physical context is the Great Wall and to reduce the attention diverted away from
that landmark, bamboo is used to give a visual effect of dissolving into the context
through its natural earthly colour and also the overall low height of the structure.

Other than that, bamboo is also culturally significant to its surrounding

context. Previously, other than it being used as traditional material, it is also used in
daily essentials. Bamboo to the Chinese and Japanese tradition also actually means
prosperity due to it being in abundance. Despite being thin, bamboo is able to stand
tall and have relatively great strength hence being a symbol of integrity as well.

References

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http://www.bdonline.co.uk/uncharted-territory/1021376.article
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http://www.masterplanningthefuture.org/?p=3275
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http://nezumi.dumousseau.free.fr/japon/kumakengo.html
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from http://www.vantage-magazine.com/living-room/kengo-kuma-master-ofunderstatement.html
10. Kuma, K., & Frampton, K. (n.d.). Kengo Kuma: Complete works.

11. L, S. (n.d.). Great (Bamboo) Wall by Kengo Kuma. Retrieved October 10,
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