What I read
We have just read and checked our understanding of "The Metropol Parasol."
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Our response
Having now read the text a couple of times, Bixby and Scanlon now invite us to respond to those idea in a critical thinking exercise.
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Bixby and Scanlon's questions
Comment on the following questions, which are the critical thinking questions on page 19 (Bixby & Scanlon, 2013), and then reply to at least two of your classmates' comments.
- Consider the different opinions about the Metropol Parasol. What do you think? What are the advantages and disadvantages of its design?
- Think about a public space in your city or town. Which aspects of its design do you like? What would you change about it in order to improve it?
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Reference
- Bixby, J. & Scanlon, J. (2013). Skillful Reading & Writing, Student's Book 3. Oxford: Macmillan Education
Although I can understand the opponents of the Metropol Parasol, I don't agree with them. It's true as they say that the design does not match the old traditional architecture of the city, but it is attractive and modern. This shows that the city is evolving, not remaining in its dead, fossilized past.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, the design does respect the past history of Seville. I like the way that the plans were changed to incorporate a museum that both protects and displays the past history of the city from the time is was a Province of the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire.
I think this is an advantages for Seveille city which show the ancient can go with modernisation smoothly without disturbing. Moreover, It is also beneficial for community and young generation that this place can influence people to spend time and learn in the same place. It is a mix-used building more than just a museum or a shopping mall.
ReplyDeleteI would say Bangkok has so many public spaces to visit but the most interesting one that I have never been is Bangkok City Library. Bangkok city library is located on Ratchadamnern Rd and it design is antique and valuable. It was replaced the ancient useless building and transformed it to library which has modern technology in it. The library has a cafe for meeting and computer room for self studying. As I said, it's better to use one building for many purposes to influence different people and generation to participate in. It's the old fashioned to use a library just for reading and be quiet.
DeleteI can think of two main advantages of the Metropol Parasol which was floated above the ground, but I can't find any disadvantage for now. First, as in the book, it doesn't ruin any traditional place or thing they have below. Sometimes, the space is limited and they need to build something more, so this idea is a good one to meet the requirement. Second, it is the shade for people and buildings below it. Like in Thailand, it's most of the year that the weather is hot and sunny. I like to walk wherever there is a shade. Also in Seville, I don't really know the weather but I think it's also hot most of the year so it's a good idea to provide shade for the things below.
ReplyDeleteIt is good place for a landmark and this meeting place for people in this city. Advantage of this design are the center of town and it makes city look modern and landmark for traveling but I don't like this design of roof isn't water prove.
ReplyDeleteIn Bangkok I like Lumpini Park because it big place for exercise and meeting but it should more clean and security.
Like Bangkok, Sydney has many public spaces, from parks to plazas and streets that have been closed to traffic. On my visits to Sydney every year, I like the walking street in the centre of the city. When I was at university, it was a main street for traffic, but about ten years ago, a section of central Pitt Street (or is it George Street?) was closed to traffic. This created a large open space for people to walk, sit, chat and relax as they are shopping in the central business district. I think business also supported this because it made it easy for customers to wander from one expensive shop to another without having to worry about traffic. I would like to see more trees and green, but Hyde Park is only a few minutes walk away, so I guess this isn't a big problem.
ReplyDeleteThe Metropol Parasol advantages are iconic landmark. It changing all the time. In addition, it is also public place where people can enjoy many activities like enjoying view.
ReplyDeleteon the other hand, It is overpriced and different form other building.
For the second question, I like the public design in my country because it is almost access for free. However, there are limit place to go. For example, there are only a few of library which I can access such as in university library and library of stock of exchange. It would be better to have it more in every places.
I agree to build it because it can be the most popular tourist attraction. There are shopping malls and meeting area that induce people come to visit here. Also, with the outstanding construction, people feel interesting and want to visit here for taking memorable picture. The design provides the benefit that the light can come inside, but the worse is it is not located on the ground, so it is not safety.
ReplyDeleteI like Siam Square because it has big area to meet and hang out with my friends. The designs are quite modern, and mix with the old styles also. However, I would like to suggest about the garbage management because there are few bins there, and most people lift them on the ground. That leads dirty rats come. I think it is so disgusting, and tourists might avoid to come Siam Square again.
1. Although the Metropol Parasol has bad critics, I personally support the decision to build it. First, It is cleverly designed to build without damaging the ruins below. It certainly needs a collaboration between engineer and architect to achieve. Moreover, its modern design reflect the acceptance of new things that is not limited to their own norms.
ReplyDelete2. Central World Plaza designed to be a space for various events such as concert, food fair, celebrations or even a beer-drinking space. Its wide-open spaces make it versatile to adapt for various events platform. Its sheer space can hold a lot of participants together. However, Thailand is very hot and may cause heat problems for people who join the event there. Some people don't want to participate the event in daytime because of its hot temperature.
From my point of view, the metropol parasol can reflect the identity of the town, and show how modern the town is. Expression of the art no need to accompany through only those ancient architectures; in fact, the concept of this modern building can impress us tremendously of how it can "float" above the fragile structure.
ReplyDeleteThinking about public space in Thailand, The Bangkok art exhibition center is the first place that came up to my mind, it shows the modernized structure with stand out among other buildings there at Siam area. In my opinion, it is already perfectly built according to its purpose,to exhibit a piece of art;so, I would rather not change anything. Maybe add up some of Thai decoration such as kanok design to show out roots.
1. I do agree with the primitive purpose of the building, which is to protect the ruins. And I also like the idea that making a place to be more benefit than being just a historical place. To be a shopping mall and a place the townspeople can gather at and enjoy the city view. It's a great idea to make a place become multi-purpose with beautiful look.
ReplyDelete2. Which aspects of the design of the Dusit Zoo do you like?
I like how they can manage the place very well that they can fit many cages of animals in such a not-that-big place. However, If I had a chance, I would make it more interesting to attract more people. In people's eyes, Dusit Zoo is just a zoo that collects animals, but if we can change the way it looks, probably the walking paths or the animal zones, it would be more interesting. I think they also need some new management to make the place new and comfortable for both animals and visitors. It's somehow plain and boring.
I like JJ park, which is in Bangkok. It is a good meeting place near my home that I usually go with my friend. There's many delicious and eccentric food there with the music in the background. However, there's something I don't like and want to change it, if I could. First is about the air pollution. As it is in the middle of the city, I know it's inevitable that the air is not admirable. If I could I would change the location or maybe do something with the car, which also make traffic problem. Second is about the garbage everywhere. This seems to be easy to solved if we, people, are responsible enough to drop our garbage in the bin. But it also seems impossible because I can't change one's habit. And for other thing - the shop - is already okay.
ReplyDeleteThe modern structure seems definitely different from the ancient Roman ruins. but it serves its purpose of gathering people into this place, which is the treasure of the city. So, I think the modern structure can represent lifestyles of people in the era and the ruins shows the greatness of their ancestors, and it can be united.
ReplyDeleteThe public place I always visit is Suan Santipab Park, close to Victory Monument. It's a small park amid the uptown. I like to go there for a walk and run because it provides green space and 800-meter track for walking and running. It also provides a public space for aerobic exercise where I join the group sometimes, But the is too small.
1) Advantages of this design are iconic and work of art. Therefore, it will be tourist attraction in the future. That lead a lot of income from tourist.
ReplyDeleteHowever, disadvantages of it are some conservative people will think it not fit with the city. It is not eco-friendly. It choose be more green space in the city. This city will lose their charming and become as same as typical modern cities.
2 I think about train flea market. The most interesting thing I like about it is the colorful of the roof of each shops. A lot of photographers took a picture of it market. It makes this place more and more famous. It is a vibrant place. If I can change something about it, I would like to make the street on each soi bigger and cleaner.
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