ORNAMENTATION

The role of ornamentation in architecture has definitely paled in comparison to what it used to be. The three texts has provided rich insight on ornaments from every perspective possible, whom I agree with mostly.

What I felt with ornaments place in architecture’s history books is that they could still play a big role in modern day architecture especially in the field of architecture education and knowledge.

The field of architecture education and knowledge could be separated into learning and researching. As for learning, it provides a platform for architecture students like me who are gaining knowledge on past and present architecture. The rich era of ornamentation in architecture allows students to rapidly recognise buildings from different parts of history. While on a domestic level of architecture, ornaments could play a role of distinguishing different cultures that has been present throughout the country’s past and present.

Figure 1 : Roman Gothic architecture is shown in the picture above, gothic architecture are famous with their extensive ornamentation, especially on the exterior of the buildings. Through thorough research and studying, one may be apt at identifying the era of the building through looking at the elements and ornamentations closely.

Figure 2 : The Roman Triumphal Arches, symbolizing the roman architecture period through the ornamentation.

The identification of cultures present in an area is vital to the studying of the current said area. With Malaysia being a multi-cultural country, with each building belonging to its very own unique roots of culture, be it Malay traditional style , Chinese electic straits, and so on. Learning all these cultures could enrich our knowledge on our own past endlessly and understanding how could all these culture live together throughout time, and some times, under one single roof together, creating a fusion between cultures and style, giving birth to a new generation of culture and designs. All of these could play a vital role into upbringing future generations of architects as they will need to understand the roots of being a Malaysian, including those who practise different culture from one to another.

Figure 3 : Chinese Temple, a common sight for a the local Malaysian especially at the Klang Valley and Penang. The extensive ornamentation of the Chinese temple from bottom to top is still practised till this day. Some of the ornamentation symbolizes the values and culture of the Chinese people.

Figure 2 and 3 : The above show the classic Chinese electic straits style back in Penang, where it has been lauded as valuable heritage buildings.

On a researching field of architecture, ornaments could play a role in innovating designs that incorporate aesthetics and fundamental needs of a basic building elements, such as wall vents, decorated columns, and so on.

All in all, although ornamentation may not hold a valuable face value in the modern society, it could still provide a vital role for the modern society as a page of history and a book of knowledge to enrich the fledging architects of not just our countries, but also many others as well.