WOON SHIAO THUNG ASSIGNMENT 1B

2020/2021 SEMESTER 3

ATBR 2313 HISTORY OF WESTERN ARCHITECTURE
ASSIGNMENT 1B : ARCHITECTURE ANALYSIS REPORT

WOON SHIAO THUNG (20WVD03635)

TABLE OF CONTENT Page
3
No Title
1 INTRODUCTION TO ASSIGNMENT 1 4-5

2 BASILICA ULPIA 6-7

3 SHOPHOUSE AT JALAN HANG KASTURI 8
9
4 BUILDING MATERIALS 10
5 SPACE PLANNING 11
6 LIGHTING 12
7 AMBIANCE 13
8 SCALE 14
9 PROPORTIONS 15
10 STRUCTURES 16
11 CONCLUSION
12 REFERENCE

INTRODUCTION TO ASSIGNMENT 1

This assignment is an integrated assignment with ATBR1106 Architectural Design Studio I. It aims to train students in
critically examining and differentiating significant architectural ideas from historical buildings for architectural design.

As learning objective , the students are expected to form simple comparative analysis of selected case studies
buildings.Hence ,each student is requied to select a building in Malaysia which have a strong application of Classical
architecture features and study on building material ,space ,opening ,lighting ,ambiance ,scale ,proportion,structure .

The students are required to prepare a report with comprehensive information on the selected building for Assignment 1a
and Assignment 1b. As a visual aid in comprehension , students need to produce related drawings for both buildings such as
floor plans, sections, elevation, and details by using manual drawing.The students are required to conduct a comparative
analysis between selected building for Assignment 1a and Assignment 1b by identifying similarities and differences between
the two buildings on building materials, space planning, ambiance, scale, proportion, and structure.The students are
encouraged to substantiate these with sketches, diagrams, and other sources of information. This assignment also requires the
students to include their own observations, comments, and analysis in order to show throughout understanding on this
assignment.

BASILICA ULPIA

This basilica is located at Foro Traiano, 1, 00187 Roma RM, Italy (Google Map ). It is built by Apollodorus of Damascus
(Becker J ,n.d.) .It is completed in AD 112( Flyover Zone ,n.d.) The Basilica Ulpia (named after Trajan’s family: the Ulpii) was
inaugurated in 112 A.D. and it served as a huge courthouse. The importance of its juridical function was stressed by the
grandeur of its architecture. Outside it appeared as a 40 metres high building which completely hid the view of the Trajan’s
Column from the square of the Forum(WordPress,n.d.).

The Basilica Ulpia is constructed by the a very well-known Roman emperor Trajan, this building is mainly used as an
vital civic center and court of law.It is located in the center of Rome.The Basilica Ulpia became a amazing enjoyable spot
which is perfect for a visit ..Despite its socio-political appeal, however, it is universally acknowledged that the architecture of
the Basilica Ulpia that attract so much people from all over the world and render it significant in the context of its influence
on later architectural tradition(Laura J ,2010).

Plan of Basilica Ulpia Elevation of Basilica Ulpia Section of Basilica Ulpia
( Bianchi et al. , 2021 ) ( Wikipedia , 2021 ) ( Cambridge University Press , 2019 )

A basilica was a huge, rectilinear volume building with a considerably wide interior space for conducting
governmental services. Typically these structures were organised in a specific layout, complying to an architectural
trend popular in Imperial Rome. The Basilica Ulpia was a particularly magnificient example of this trend--a
reflection of the commissioned emperor's wealth, power, and desire for recognition and legacy(Laura J ,2010).

Reconstruction drawing of Basilica Ulpia ( Wikipedia , 2021 )

Shophouse at Jalan Hang Kasturi

The shophouse chosen for this assignment is located at No 48, Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur,
Selangor(Google Map).It is built by A.K.Moosdeen in 1920 (Heritage Buildings of Malaysia ,2016) .The shophouse itself
situated in a row beside the Market Square which serve as a shoe shop nowadays .However , it tends to resemble with other
shophouses by having almost same numbers of storey and architectural style .

For this shophouse , the clasical architecture feature that can be found is the use of arch .It is shown in the elevation that
there are 3 arches dominating the second storey facade .The keystone which act asa center voussoir is used for spanning of the
opening in this building . Not only that , for the column part , Greek Ionic order has been used .

Similar facade of selected shophouse Application of arch for window opening Greek Ionic order column

Plan of Basilica Ulpia Elevation of Basilica Ulpia Section of Basilica Ulpia

*dotted line used to represent the another lot with walls hacked off to share common space with two shop facades in different address .

BUILDING MATERIALS

For Basilica Ulpia , the monolithic columns made of Egyptian granite (WordPress,n.d.) .The 50 meter (164 ft) high
roof was covered by gilded bronze tiles ( Wikipedia , 2021 ).Bianchi et al. ( n.d.) claim that as part of this structural
configuration, Roman architect intended to reduce the unit weight of the concrete by purposely including specific
proportions of lightweight and coarse aggregate .This reduction in weight was done in order to reduce the overall load on the
marble elements that formed the entablature colonnades and thus prevent the element from structural failure.It is considered
further in the following.In the central colonnade that divide the two side aisles, the trabeation was not only consisted of
marble, but also an upper row of travertine blocks. These correspond to the level of the (marble) cornice in the colonnades
lining the central nave. However the building material for shophouse at Jalan Hang Kasturi is mainly concrete .

Concrete Egyptian granite

SPACE PLANNING

The basilica Ulpia is oriented around a longitudinal axis However for the shophouse at Jalan Hang Kasturi , the
It was rectangular in shape, had five aisles and apses at the space planning seems to be more oriented towards
short ends. The main entrance was on the facade of the commercial manner . As such , all of the space are used to
building facing the open plaza of the forum. The façade was display items to be sold as much as possible . A store room
punctuated by three porches. Between the porches were three is even demarcated . The counter is placed almost at the
colossal statues of Trajan, of which two are preserved (one centre side so that can be easy to be recognised and
shows him as a general; the other as a magistrate) ( Flyover approached by customers . Hence , the space planning seem
Zone , n.d. ) . Such space planning will definitely enhance to be rather ordinary alike the other shophouses .
the visitor or citizen to be amazed by the powerful strength
of the emperor due to the emphasis on their statues . Store
room
Apses
Display area
Nave
Entrance

Porches / porticos

LIGHTING Clerestory window

For Basilica Ulpia , the building itself has clerestory Available
window as lighting . Openings tend to be more and bigger opening for
, hence can utilise the daylighting at its maximum . The lighting
naturalness, and seemingly unreachable height, of the
lighting flooded through the clerestory would cast a
heavenly glow from top of the building , accentuate the
resplendent columns and marble and creating an
atmosphere which is very beautiful and emorable for
visitors ( Laura J ,2010) .

However for shophouse at Jalan Hang Kasturi ,it only
have ordinary window opening for lighting .Yet, its both
sides is flanked by continuous shophouses row. Hence , it
is clear that the light intake is very minimal .Plus , the
orientation of the window not high enough for higher
intensity of sunlight . Hence , this building will face
difficulty in harvesting natural light for illumination or
even creating own space ambience without artificial light .

AMBIANCE

For Basilica Ulpia ,as the building itself tends to serve as juridical function (WordPress,n.d.) , thus the
ambience within the basilica is intended to be created as a solemn place . For example , all of the element
found in basilica do come with a reason or follow specific and organised order . The floor tiles arranged in
orderly manner can shown . However for shophouse at Jalan Hang Kasturi ,it is only mainly for
commercial purposes .Hence , the ambience within does not really interconnected with the classical
architectural style of the facade outside . By having modern light fittings and wall finishes , it tends to
further disrupt the classical architecture ambience possessed .

SCALE

For Basilica Ulpia , Roth ( 2018 ) maintains that it is the largest of all the basilica in Rome .This basilica illustrate the
building type at a grand scale. Not only that , the large central area, nave, would engulf visitors upon their entrance,
reducing them to a size noticeably less significant than their majestic surroundings (Laura J ,2010 ). This clever
application of scale will definitely achieve intention of convey powerful sense to visitors . However for shophouse at Jalan
Hang Kasturi, the shophouses maintain same scale with the shophouses nearby. This an create uniformity and
collectiveness among the users .However the rather small area , not enough to sacred visitors upon their entrance, the
opening size also fit to human scale hence convey the sense that visitors and building itself are being juxtaposed .

PROPORTIONS Entrance

For Basilica Ulpia , Roth ( 2018 ) maintains that excluding
the apse , the building was measured 385 by 182 feet ( 117.4
by 55.5 m ) wall to wall , with two concentric internal
colonnades opening onto a central vertical space , which by
itself was 260 feet ( 80 m) long .He also mentioned that vast
center space was covered by a timber truss roof spanning 80
feet ( 25 m) . The matching proportion of building element
with one another makes the building appear in more
grandeur manner.

For the Jalan Hang Kasturi shophouse , information was
not obtained from the owner . However , according to the
rough estimate by counting the tiles within the space , the
rectangular space within is rather proportional and will
not create abrupt corner which will create pause space for
customer except left hand side corner area from entrance.

STRUCTURES

Bianchi et al. ( n.d.) claim that the surface presumed to constitute the intrados of lower order vault was at. In its present
state it displays little trace of the curvature that which has been generally accepted by previous scholars. Hence, I will
therefore infer that the lower order, rather than having a fully curved or reduced vault prole, actually formed a broad
extended loft with a atoor hidden behind a false ceiling or false vault . The examination of fragments assigned to the upper
story of the vaults reveals that these vaults likely featured at least some degree of curvature. Many vault fragments have
been attributed to the upper order.This can be probably because they exhibit a layer of cocciopesto on their upper surface
(corresponding to the external terrace pavement ) . In another case , this is due to the light of fact that they retain traces on
their lower surface. This property is the one that suggest a curved surface of an intrados. However for the Jalan Hang
Kasturi shophouse , excluding of the facade ornamentation ,as I observe in the shop ( photograph within shop is not
encouraged) the building structure is fairly ordinary with clear ceiling span supported with beam and columns .

CONCLUSION

However there is long time ago for classical architecture to start developing, we should always
cherish and value it as there many parts ranging from building materials , space planning , lighting ,
ambiance ,scale , proportions and structures to be learnt from. We should always remember that
being in modernised era does not mean we must give up every previous architectural styles by
labelling them as lousy or old . The correct attitude is to accept with open-mindedness between
both and extract both practical element to be implemented in future .

REFERENCE

(CONTENT & MANUAL DRAWING )

• WordPress , n.d. , Basilica ulpia , viewed 8 February 2021 , < http://fori-imperiali.info/en/005-2/1-3/ >
• Roth , LM 2018 , Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning , 3rd edn , updated 13 March 2018 ,

viewed 11 March 2021 , <
https://books.google.com.my/books?id=q_5QDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT426&lpg=PT426&dq=opus+reticulatum+basilica+ul
pia&source=bl&ots=wC69BLuF-1&sig=ACfU3U2GBeYT67Q8oJ9Ef3eHCeDH52CMsQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKE
wj6wNi01anvAhVM4zgGHRHJAgEQ6AEwEHoECB4QAg#v=onepage&q&f=false >
• Laura J ,2010 , When rome met christianity , viewed 8 February 2021 , <
http://laurajsspace.blogspot.com/2010/11/when-rome-met-christianity.html?m=1 >
• Becker J ,n.d. , Forum and Markets of Trajan ,viewed 22 March 2021 ,
<https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/ancient-mediterranean-ap/ap-ancient-rome/a/forum-and-marke
t-of-trajan >
• Wikipedia , 2021 , Basilica Ulpia , viewed 21 March 2021 , < https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Ulpia >
• Cambridge University Press , 2019 , Roman architecture and urbanism, viewed 21 March 2021 ,
<https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/roman-architecture-and-urbanism/imperial-architecture-in-rome-from-the-flavia
ns-through-the-antonines/9E02B3E991FCB5BFAD886B34D4D23F5F >
• Flyover Zone ,n.d., Basilica ulpia , viewed 9 March 2021

,<http://archive1.village.virginia.edu/spw4s/RomanForum/GoogleEarth/AK_GE/AK_HTML/CB-007.html >

• Bianchi, E , Meneghini, R , Brune, P ,&Jackson, M n.d. , Archaeological, structural, and compositional observations of

the concrete architecture of the Basilica Ulpia and Trajan’s Forum , Comm. Hum. Litt , Vol 128 , No 2011 ,pp. 73 -95 .

• Heritage Buildings of Malaysia ,2016 ,Category: AK moosdeen , viewed 12 March 2021 ,<

https://myheritagebuildings.wordpress.com/category/ak-moosdeen/ >