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Vernacular Architecture – Correlation Between Cultural Expressions and Sustainable Built Forms

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Vernacular Architecture – Correlation Between Cultural Expressions and Sustainable Built Forms Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology p-ISSN: 2349-8404; e-ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 5, Issue 6; July-September, 2018, pp. 364-370 © Krishi Sanskriti Publications http://www.krishisanskriti.org/Publication.html Vernacular Architecture – Correlation between Cultural Expressions and Sustainable Built Forms Ar. Bhagyalaxmi Madapur1 and Dr. Mamatha P Raj2 1Associate Professor, B M S College of Architecture, Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore, Karnataka, India 2Director & Professor, B M S College of Architecture, Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore, Karnataka, India E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract—"Vernacular architecture is folk building in response to actual needs, fitted into environment by people who knew no better 1. VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE – TANGIBLE than to fit them with native feeling”- Frank L Wright EXPRESSION OF A COMMUNITY Architecture of built forms of a region with strong identity and unique contextual setting engages a culture's deepest social values The term vernacular is derived from the Latin vernaculus, and expresses them in specific forms and diverse meaning 'indigenous, native'; from verna, meaning 'native techniques/materials. In this context, vernacular architecture refers slave'. So, it means 'native science of building'. The term, to those built forms conceived by inhabitants in an unceremonious vernacular architecture generally refers to the informal way using indigenous insights, understandings and perceived notion of methodologies. Vernacular architecture generates built forms that construction of buildings using traditional methods by native are reflections of the place evolving over a time to resonate the people. environmental, cultural and historical context in which it exists. In contrast to formal architecture, the building acquaintance in Several confines such as access to difficult terrains, climatic vernacular architecture is often transferred by native challenges, limited technical advancement and resources prompted the indigenous society to evolve creative built forms by employing ethnicities and is thus based on knowledge achieved by trial innovative building techniques and resourceful usage of materials. and error and often handed down through the generations Thus vernacular architecture is the manifestation of a system which rather than deliberated knowledge only. is holistically (ecological-social-economical) sustainable while being Vernacular architecture consists of buildings or landscapes culturally adaptive. Although, 85% of the world's architecture is vernacular, vernacular that endorses rootedness of the place and embraces the architecture still occupies a marginal position in the contemporary promise of achieving a compatible and sustainable relationship world. Vernacular architecture continues to be associated with a between nature and the human built environment. nostalgic longing being limited to sentimental regionalism. Relatively, there seems to be fringe interest in the culturally relevant Considering social expressions of culture, vernacular and holistically sustainable attributes of the built forms generated by environments clearly respond to the largest connection vernacular builders who are exceptionally knowledgeable, proficient systems, family structures, roles, status quo, social networks, and skilled. etc. Using vivid analysis of vernacular architecture of Bhutan set in a unique context, this paper attempts to illustrate the correlation Vernacular architecture stems from the belief that architecture between cultural expressions and sustainability of built forms. is a balanced combination of common sense and logical Further, the paper deliberates on evolving locally sensitive knowledge. Vernacular architecture is influenced by a great strategies, generative concepts, and methodologies at various scales range of different aspects of human behavior and environment, by which contemporary challenges pertaining to cultural identity and leading to differing approaches, significant building forms and sustainability of built forms can be addressed. structural systems for almost all the contextual settings. Keywords: Vernacular Architecture, Culture, Sustainable, Built 1.2 Cultural expression and sustainability of built forms forms, Contemporary challenges. Built forms, like poems and rituals, realize culture. Different cultures and their practices shape landscapes. Built form and its functionality are greatly influenced by socio-cultural requirement. Vernacular Architecture – Correlation between Cultural Expressions and Sustainable Built Forms 365 Culture has a great influence on the appearance of vernacular ‘High Value Low Impact’ policy are yielding the multifold buildings. The lifestyle of the residents has a huge impact on growth. The ‘High Value Low Impact’ policy being an the forms of buildings while influencing their appropriate expression of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness (GNH) spatial usage, layout and unit sizes. accentuates that economic growth should not be trailed at the expense of environment and unique culture. Categories of vernacular architecture: Domestic vernacular Countryside (mainly farming) Urban (mainly commerce) Agricultural Industrial- Buildings with industrial related activities such as wind and watermill, corn, lime kilns, potteries, etc. Religious- structures such as temples, churches, mosques, etc. Factors influencing vernacular architecture: Figure 1: Model highlighting the topographical features & Culture and symbolism: Socio-cultural forces may include related built forms of Bhutan religious beliefs, family structure, and social organization, means of livelihood and social relations between or 2.1. Climatic Context varying needs of genders or different age groups. Wide variations in temperature and the intensity of rainfall Religion- Anti-physical determinism (neglecting material even between adjoining valleys is the most characteristic factors)- attributes form of houses to religious beliefs; feature of Bhutan's climate owing to its topographical features. raised on stilts or underground can also be attributed to Ranging from hot and humid tropical conditions in the south religion. to alpine type in the snows and the ice on the mighty Himalaya in the north, the climate of Bhutan defies any Climatic and Geological aspects: Their imperatives as descriptions of altitude, sunlight, rainfall, wind velocity, etc. determinants of form for shelter. presenting unique set of physical and environmental conditions. Defense - compact settlement patterns as a form resulting from defense needs. Bhutanese settlements are often compact clusters/hamlets of group of houses as a mutual protection against the prevailing Economics - Exerts constraints on structure development, climatic conditions. Trees around these act as wind buffers. but does not account for house form. The virgin environment of the Bhutan owing to its Technology adopted and local resources and materials geographical settings has bestowed it as one of the world's used. sensitive biodiversity land with more than 70% of the forest in 2. BHUTAN – A BUDDHIST KINGDOM the country preserved through the focused efforts of its government and environmental organizations. Through Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge rigorous enforcement of several polices such as Structure is a country extending over a small geographical area and Plans, Local Area Plans and Development Control relatively trivial number of population. Bhutan is one of the Regulations, Bhutan government is attempting to address the few countries where traditional living is way of current life adverse impacts of urbanization on its ecology, culture and and not a nostalgic past. People, most of them practicing traditional architecture of built forms. Mayana Buddhism with humble lifestyle live in harmony with 2.2. Bhutanese Cultural Heritage Mother Nature. Dzongkha is the official language of Bhutan and has its roots in the old Tibetan language. It literally means Bhutan's culture is distinctive in the world escorting the ‘the language spoken in the Dzongs and administrative centers sovereignty of a nation and is visible in the everyday life of of all the districts'. the inhabitants. Buddhism has been the principal contributor for Bhutan's spiritual and cultural legacy. Several sacred Majority of Bhutanese are self-sufficient with primarily monuments, monasteries, stupas, religious institutions prayer agriculture being the main economic activity along with wheels and prayer flags dominate the cultural landscape. cottage industries specializing in weaving, handicrafts along People wear traditional woven attire, 'Gho' for men and 'Kira' with the growing intensely scrutinized eco-tourism heralding for women that suits the climate and culture of everyday life. Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology p-ISSN: 2349-8404; e-ISSN: 2349-879X; Volume 5, Issue 6; July-September, 2018 366 Ar. Bhagyalaxmi Madapur and Dr. Mamatha P Raj Bhutan’s colorful and spiritual festivals, unique arts /crafts and Degree of uniformity - Although there is a clear commonality, fine architecture lend Bhutan a unique cultural setting. each region has its own architectural vocabulary and character differences adhering to the availability of workmanship, Culture is always interwoven with built forms. As Bhutan techniques and construction materials. rises in a new era of development, it faces the
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