Shin Khant Bryan Toe

Dialectic synthesis. I explore the dynamic interplay between disciplinary and circumstantial architecture, emphasizing the theme of dialectic synthesis. Beginning with the exemplary Guardiola House by Peter Eisenman, a manifestation of disciplinary architecture characterized by rigid principles and abstract geometries, I propose a reevaluation of disciplinary boundaries. This leads to the recognition that disciplinary architecture evolves through engagement with circumstantial factors. Transitioning towards circumstantial architecture, responsive to contextual variables, I discuss my current project, a twin house competition set in contrasting urban and rural contexts. Employing divergent typologies—a courtyard design for the urban house and a pinwheel layout for the rural counterpart—I aim to demonstrate contextual sensitivity. Each design reflects its surroundings, with the urban house prioritizing privacy and introspection amidst cityscape density, while the rural house embraces outward engagement with expansive landscapes. Through this exploration, I illustrate how architectural practice evolves from adherence to disciplinary principles towards an adaptive synthesis of theory and context, ultimately expanding the possibilities of architectural expression.