ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH, Vol. 17, No. 4(December 2015). pp. 127-137 pISSN 1229-6163 eISSN 2383-5575 Typology of Lao Vernacular Dwellings and Settlements in Context of Cultural and Physical Environment Xayaphone Vongvilay, Young-Hwan Kang, E-doo Kim, In-Soo Seong and Joong-Hyun Choi Ph.D. Candidate, School of Architecture, University Of Ulsan, Korea and Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Souphanouvong University, Lao PDR Professor, School of Architecture, University Of Ulsan, Korea Professor, School of Architectural Engineering, University Of Ulsan, Korea Professor, School of Architecture, University Of Ulsan, Korea Professor, Department of Architectural Engineering, Woosong University, Korea http://dx.doi.org/10.5659/AIKAR.2015.17.4.127 Abstract A typology study is a comparative study of the physical characteristics of the built environment divided into distinct types such as architecture, culture, and environment. Lao vernacular dwellings were initially created based on the Lao people’s behavior in terms of beliefs, traditional culture, lifestyle, and local wisdom with regard to the environment, climate, geography, and materials. The main research method used in this study is a comparative case study of three ethnic dwellings. The multiple data collection tools employed included second source data and primary data to analyze the findings of the unique characteristic typology of Lao vernacular dwellings. The objective of this paper is to compare the cultural and physical contexts, the patterns and origins of settlement, the architecture, the cultures, and the local indigenous knowledge related to the dwellings and settlement of the three main ethnic groups. These three groups are rich in tradition and their documentation is therefore essential for the intellectual history of the society of Lao; this research could therefore aid in enhancing our understanding of the three typologies of Lao vernacular architecture and settlement within the historical and socio- cultural contexts of each ethnicity to convey an understanding of Lao vernacular dwellings by analyzing their different types to help identify the differences and similarities among architectural artifacts by recognizing the invisible connections between them, whereby the figurative ornamentation is based on the relationship between man and nature. This study also provides a glimpse of the living culture and characteristic features of Lao vernacular architecture. Keywords: Lao Vernacular Dwelling, Settlement, Cultural Context, Physical Context, Typology, Characteristics 1. INTRODUCTION inhabited by 49 tribes which are classified into three different main ethnic groups: lowland Lao (Lao lum), upland Lao (Lao theung), Lao vernacular dwellings are a product of the integration and highland Lao (Lao sung), (Figure 1.). Lowland Lao (Lao lum) is between natural environments and the socio-cultural features of divided into 8 tribes: Xaek/Xek, Nhouan, Tai, Thaneua, Phouthay, various ethnic groups. The integration of Lao vernacular dwellings Yang, Lao, and Lue. Upland Lao (Lao theung) is divided into 32 with nature was appropriate and was based on the ancestor’s tribes: Khmou, Katang, Katu, Kriang, Kree/Kri, Khmer, Ngouan, knowledge of the best methods of achieving a comfortable life Cheng, Samtao, Sadang, Xuay, Xingmoun, Nhaheun, Ta - Oy, in a hot-humid climate within a rich natural environment. Lao Triang, Tri, Toum, Thaen, Bid/Bit, Brao, Pakoh/Pacoh, Pray, Phong, vernacular dwellings addressed the needs of the inhabitants, as well Makong, Moy, Yrou, Yae/Ye, Lamed/Lamet, Lavi/Lavy, Oy, Oedou, as their beliefs, culture, and lifestyle while responding to the local and Harak. Highland Lao (Lao sung) is divided into 9 tribes: environment. The population of Lao PDR is ethnically diverse and Hmong, Iewmien, Singsily, Sila, Lahu, LoLo, Hor, Akha, and anyi1. The vernacular dwelling represents an organized pattern of Corresponding Author: Xayaphone Vongvilay communication, interaction, and place. While the dwellings reflect School of Architecture, University of Ulsan. Ulsan,, Korea. the characteristics, way of life, codes of conduct, environmental e-mail: [email protected] preferences, and the time-place taxonomies of the each ethnic group, they also reflect images of its owner regarding its essence, This study supported by Ministry of Education and Sport, Lao PDR (Grant its tendency for proving and explaining itself. Thus, the dwellings 0166-LAO Strengthening Higher Education Project). Funded by ADB (Asian Development Bank) 1 Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South, Department of Statistics (DOS) of the Ministry of Planning and Investment This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons. (MPI), Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat (LNMCS) of the Water org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, Resources and Environmental Administration (WREA) of the Office of the distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is Prime Minister of the Lao PDR (PMO). (2008). Socio-economic ATLAS of the properly cited. Lao PDR, 84. ©Copyright 2015 Architectural Institute of Korea. 128 Xayaphone Vongvilay, Young-Hwan Kang, E-doo Kim, In-Soo Seong and Joong-Hyun Choi of each sub-tribe reflect the inhabitant’s character and are of the three main ethnic groups of Lao PDR. The factors influencing distinguished via their design, decoration, and style (Gür, 2000). Lao vernacular dwellings must be divided into two different The vernacular dwelling, which is one of the fundamental categories: natural environment factors and socio-cultural factors. discourses of culture, is also a prime indicator of cultural relations The study will be cross-checked with aspects such as culture, within its locality. Thus, the sustainability of the vernacular history, society, geography, climate, and the relationship between dwelling is closely connected with cultural continuity. The the physical environment and the social culture in terms of their sustainability of traditional dwellings and their surroundings will effective role in the dwelling structure in order to acknowledge help future generations maintain their cultures by acting as a tool the driving forces that are embedded in the formation of Lao for transferring cultural norms, traditions, and values (Günce et al., vernacular dwelling and living culture. 2008). Since each ethnic group in Lao PDR has its own unique cultural 2. METHODOLOGY experiences and natural environment, the dwellings of each group also have their own unique cultural, lifestyle, and topographic Research was conducted on the three main ethnic groups characteristics, reflecting the unique methods they have used to dwelling in Lao PDR, on characteristics considered to provide create their specific built environment. Therefore, Lao vernacular rich information on the vernacular villages. The main research dwellings have diverse forms representing the specific culture, since method was a comparison of case studies of the three types of the dwellings have been developed in response to the cultural needs ethnic dwellings and settlements. Multiple data collection tools and have been adapted with time to fulfill specific demands within were employed, including second source data and primary data the group without any designer planning. These dwelling typologies to analyze the factors that generate and affect the typology of Lao describe various lifestyles and philosophies of societies. Cultural vernacular dwellings. Methods included key informant interviews, values and traditions facilitate a society to flourish. Although in-depth interviews using a standard structured open-ended research interest in traditional dwellings includes a wide array of questionnaire, a literature review, observation, photographic specialization studies, typically oriented towards the research of documentation, architectural sketches, and group discussions with the genesis and evolution of built form, most studies are performed key informants. Qualitative data collected were analyzed using the based on two main determinants, namely culture and nature. content analysis with the aid of schematic sketches together with The aim of this paper is to chronicle observations of Lao findings from a comparison of three ethnic vernacular dwellings. vernacular dwellings within the entire region of Lao PDR, and to document specification of the ethnic group socio-culture. The 3. NATURAL PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIO- objective of the study is to compare the significance of the cultural CULTURAL CONTEXT OF VERNACULAR DWELLINGS and physical context, the patterns and origins of settlement, the built form, the living cultures, and the local indigenous knowledge The determining factors that affect the typology of Lao vernacular dwellings can be classified into two distinctive categories: natural physical environment and socio-cultural factors. These can be evaluated according to natural indicators, cultural indicators, and social indicators. Rapoport argues for a transformative relationship between the natural and socio-cultural factors and the traditional dwelling structures (Rapoport, 1969). Table 1. Contexts that are determinants in the design of a residence Natural physical Climate environment factors Topography Environmental texture Local materials Building techniques Socio culture factors Lifestyle Family structure Economic structure Neighborhood Beliefs Traditions