And the list goes on..

 It gets longer, trust me. However, please keep in mind, the first step is always the hardest. heeee. So, it'll definitely get easier to read as i'll keep you thinking! and at the end of this, you'll be.... just.like.me. hahaha! (forgive the lame joke if you didnt find it funny)

Outline

1.0 Introduction

Issues

2.0 Distinguishing the good, the bad and the mediocre designs in architecture

          2.1 The definition of a good design
          2.2 Judging process of designs in architecture

          2.3 Reacting towards the designs

3.0 Judging art by its colours

          3.1 What is the meaning of design process?

          3.2 Interaction with designs

          3.3 Human senses playing a part

4.0 Death of architecture
          4.1 Aesthetics above functionality
          4.2 Superficial surprises

          4.3 A contest that everyone loses
          4.4 The Malaysian mindset

5.0 A rough start to a beautiful ending

          5.1 Learning from the past
          5.2 Changing attitudes and perspectives

          5.3 Hitting the awareness buttons

5.4 Attainable Nirvana

6.0 Conclusion

DISSERTATION STRUCTURE

Introduction

- Brief statements about the background and history of architecture.

- Designer’s point of view about design, architecture, functionality and outcome of a building.
- Layman’s point of view about the design in architecture.
- Define the problems in the current day designs that are seen in the architecture of buildings.
- The necessity to implement more critical and analytical thinking when looking at a design in architecture.

Issues

Distinguishing the good, the bad and the mediocre designs in architecture

- The definition of a good design may be very subjective but the basics of idea generation are similar. It is the process of execution that plays the major role when compared with just the outcome.

- Is there a specific rule book to follow? (Research needed)

- A good design is not one that only thinks of the present day but incorporates thoughts of the past and the future as well.

*Insert Case Study 1*

- How is a good design in architecture judged by the public?

*Insert Survey Type 1*

- What about those who do know how to distinguish the good from the bad in designs in architecture?

*Insert Survey Type 2*

- Designing opportunity / Designing the convenience

Judging art by its colours

- Similar to being thought of never to judge a book by its cover, one also must exercise the concept of not judging art by its colours. Thus, it is the design process that matters the most, despite the outcome.

*Insert Survey Type 1*

*Insert Case Study 2*

- “Architecture is the thoughtful making of space” as quoted by Louis Kahn.

- Architecture begins with an idea. An idea is a specific mental structure by which architects organize, understand, and give meaning to external experiences and information.

*Insert Survey Type 2*

- Extravagance leads to bombastic forms but lack in functionality.

- How do the human senses play a part in judging design? (Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste, Smell)

- Design should be somewhat interactive, not plain aesthetic but does not offer a sense of connection with a human being. (Making people desire towards engaging the building)

*Insert Survey Type 1*

Death of architecture

- If everyone were to believe that a good design in architecture is merely something high in aesthetics or even something that directly conveys the meaning of a space, then no architect would be striving to create an ideal space that promotes the cost of living.

- A building that is very pleasing to the eye which is filled up purely with high aesthetic designs but lacks greatly in purpose and function will also lead to the death of architecture.

- More superficial buildings are being built just for mere “surprises” to people IE : Basket house (Research needed)
- All the superficially built buildings will eventually deteriorate and no one would feel at loss cause people cannot connect/interact with the building, thus eventually there wont be any remains to remember our architectural era.

- A good building reveals different things about itself when viewed from different distances.

- A competition between professionals leads to turning a blind eye on the main point of putting people as priority.

*Insert Survey Type 2*

- A good building should be made to serve the people who will utilize it and not merely for designers name/brand purposes.

- Engineers and technicians are the “designers” now.

- The mindset of Malaysians also leads to the destruction of architecture in Malaysia. People feel complacent towards architecture. They think that whatever happens in changes of architecture does not affect them thus they feel indifferent towards it, which causes the butterfly effect of problems to arise with architecture.

- Additionally Malaysian architects tend to imitate rather than come up with something new; or rather the Government would feel that it is better to hire a foreign architect than utilize the many talented Malaysian architects to build any iconic buildings. IE: KL Twin Towers. Why so?
- Also, the lack of opportunities and freedom of design given to the local professional architects will cause them to think within the box when designing to fit the “Malaysian standard”.
 *Insert Survey Type 2*

A rough start to a beautiful ending

- As seen in movies and as cliché as it sounds, the “bad guy” usually ends up a dying hero. And the crowd goes wild. This too can happen in reality, when people change for the better after seeing the destruction they’ve brought upon themselves.
- Where to begin? By looking back into the past, as back then they too started from scratch. If our ancestors could do it, so can us for our future generations to come.
- It always takes two hands to clap, we can’t just blame the layman nor can we blame the professionals. Thus, an awareness seed should be planted so that attitudes towards design in architecture can change for the better.

- Educational design/humanitarian design can help change perspectives of the world of architecture.

- Even the designers should change their attitudes to help design for a cause, a cause that helps lead architecture to greater heights.

- The more aware people are about the effects that lead to the death of architecture, the more they will change to prevent it from happening.

- If all goes well, nirvana can be attained, maybe not so soon but definitely in the near future.
- Additionally, even back in the modernist era they have thought out what nirvana would be like for them, and if we were to follow suit and not repeat their mistakes the chances of attaining ultimate harmony between people and buildings will be within grasps.

Conclusion

- Restate and reinforce points that have been made throughout essay.
- Give a recap of architecture history and how ours era can be part of the progress to achieve nirvana in the future.
- Question readers; subtly push their subconscious to wake up and speak to them, to urge them to think, and change for their future. Make them aware that they need to be able to think and analyze designs so that the designs will not lead them to a blank future.

- “An architect does not simply create interesting looks merely for aesthetic value but instead creates a space that has a sense of place.” – Louis Kahn