by Lim Poon Thong 1001540025
The form of an object should last, that is, we should find it tolerable as long as the object itself lasts.
From the article “Ornament and Crime”, by Adolf Loos, he stated that ornamentation is a waste of time, labor, money, materials and energy. Therefore, ornamentation can be considered as a crime. Since an object or building can achieve aesthetic values without ornamentation, why do we bother adding ornament, while it is practically useless besides improving aesthetic values, maybe? In my opinion, I agree with Adolf Loos idea where ornamentation is a crime.
Why do I agree with this idea? We should all back to the basics and roots before this. In my opinion, the end product of architecture is not the building itself, but the users’ experience. We have to consider the user experience while designing a building, not just to show off the aesthetic value of the particular building. For example, the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe. The idea of Adolf Loos is completely implemented in this project. Mies van der Rohe used the least materials to fully utilize the spaces and the function of this project.
When we related back to our site, which is Petaling Street, I found out that the shophouses around Petaling Street are only made of materials that is necessary, for example brick walls, windows, doors and roof. There is no ornamentation or some sort of extra materials on the façade. Everything has its own purposes and functions. In fact, the addition of ornament will only increase the burden of the local community without giving any advantages to them. For them, although they might not realize the concept of minimalism, actually they are practicing this minimalist concept. There is another word which is contentment. They found contentment in all these simple materials and architecture. A building where they can stay and interact with their friends, or do some business. That’s more than enough. While most of the people experienced Petaling Street via walking, what for we add ornament on the façade where pedestrians would not even realize it?
As a conclusion, the end product of architecture is user experience. It is not that only expensive materials can bring out the aesthetic value of a building. What’s important is that how the building humbly merged and integrated with the local community. Ornamentation will only increase the cost of a building with extra materials and labor works. So, why not we try to seek contentment in a simple life?
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