Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

What's good architecture and why the world doesn't need more star architects | Xi Zhang | TEDxZurich

TEDx Talks

287K views 7 years ago

Warm-up Questions

What do you think “good architecture” means?
Why might the world not need more “star architects”?
How can architecture affect people’s daily lives in a city?

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What's good architecture and why the world doesn't need more star architects | Xi Zhang | TEDxZurich

Star architects vs. selfless architecture; Europe vs. Asia (00:00 – 03:12)

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1. According to the speaker, truly great architecture is NOT mainly about…

expressing the architect’s creativity
being selfless rather than self-serving
respecting integrity and tradition of each context
making design harmony with human nature

2. What does the speaker say about traditional Chinese architecture over centuries?

It changes dramatically each era to show new styles
It is defined by famous individual designers
It rejects roofs and focuses on facades
It uses a modular system with a large roof supported by wood columns

3. Why does the speaker ask the audience to raise their hands?

To see who can name star architects from Asian history
To see who has visited Kyoto
To test pronunciation of difficult names
To check who agrees that Europeans are self-centered

What's good architecture and why the world doesn't need more star architects | Xi Zhang | TEDxZurich

Feng shui, the “void,” and a Kyoto example (03:12 – 06:35)

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1. In the speaker’s description of traditional house-building in China, who decides where the house and garden can co-exist based on terrain, light, and view?

The feng shui master
The craftsman
The owner
The city mayor

2. What does the speaker say the “void” is?

A type of steel used in modern skyscrapers
A material like clay or gold
A force that shapes a space and supports energy flow
A design mistake that makes buildings feel empty

3. In Kyoto, what is protected by building codes, according to the speaker?

The color of roof tiles on every street
Only the imperial palace walls
The building volume of private houses
The pedestrians’ view to the sky and public urban space

What's good architecture and why the world doesn't need more star architects | Xi Zhang | TEDxZurich

China’s consequences; redefining good architecture (06:35 – 09:21)

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1. What consequence does the speaker describe in many Chinese cities?

Old neighborhoods are preserved and renovated slowly
Only traditional modular systems are allowed
High-rise buildings are illegal nationwide
Old neighborhoods are discarded and replaced by gigantic building blocks

2. According to the speaker, what is good architecture really about?

Using the newest materials and technology
Having the fanciest look and becoming a trend
The relation a building creates with context and its contribution to society and nature
Winning awards and being internationally famous

3. What does the speaker say happens when you shift the focus from the building to the void/space?

You reduce the need for building codes
You automatically shift it to the people
You focus more on the architect’s personal style
You make buildings taller

What's good architecture and why the world doesn't need more star architects | Xi Zhang | TEDxZurich

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1. What is the speaker’s main argument about “star architects”?

They should be the only people allowed to design public buildings
They are the main reason traditional architecture survives
They are essential because cities need iconic buildings
They can be captivating, but the world needs better (more selfless) architects

2. How does the talk connect the idea of the “void” to city life?

It argues that focusing on space and public urban areas supports livable cities
It says people should ignore public space and focus on facades
It claims the void is a physical material used for stronger buildings
It suggests empty land should always be filled with construction

3. Which contrast is used to illustrate different cultural ways of positioning the self?

How Europeans and Chinese ask for food in restaurants
How Europeans and Chinese choose construction materials
How Europeans and Chinese decorate building interiors
How Europeans and Chinese give directions (left/right vs west/north)

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

What's good architecture and why the world doesn't need more star architects | Xi Zhang | TEDxZurich

Do you agree that “good architecture” is more about relationships (with context, society, and nature) than about appearance? Why or why not?
In your city, what public spaces (streets, parks, views, “voids”) are protected—or not protected? What are the results?
Should architects be celebrated as individual geniuses, or should architecture be treated as a collective cultural product? Explain your view.
If you were designing a new neighborhood, what rules would you add to prevent “discarding” old areas while still allowing innovation?