Vernacular Architecture

Presented by:-Arshad Nafees
Vernacular
architecture: is a category of
architecture based on localized needs and
construction materials, and reflecting local
traditions.
Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over
time to reflect the environmental, cultural,
technological, and historical context in which
it exists. It has often been dismissed as crude
and unrefined, but also has proponents who
highlight its importance in current design.
Vernacular architecture is cheapest and simplest.

Vernacular architecture is sustainable
Vernacular architecture is what ordinary people
do
They do not even employ architects technocrats
the family do it themselves.
Vernacular architecture is like any craft is an
organic evolving form
Vernacular architecture almost always has good
solution to all problems.
Peoples themselves take an active part in
making there houses.
VERNACULAR
ORGANIC
FOLK
DOMESTIC
Vernacular architecture is influenced by a great
range of different aspects of human behaviour

and environment, leading to differing building
forms for almost every different context; even
neighbouring villages may have subtly different
approaches to the construction and use of their
dwellings, even if they at first appear the same.
Despite these variations, every building is
subject to the same laws of physics, and hence
will demonstrate significant similarities in
structural forms.
One of the most significant influences on vernacular architecture is the macro
climate of the area in which the building is constructed. Buildings in cold climates
invariably have high thermal mass or significant amounts of insulation. They are
usually sealed in order to prevent heat loss, and openings such as windows tend to
be small or non-existent.
Buildings in warm climates, by contrast, tend to be constructed of lighter
materials and to allow significant cross-ventilation through openings in the fabric
of the building.
Buildings for a continental climate must be able to cope with significant variations
in temperature, and may even be altered by their occupants according to the
seasons.
Buildings take different forms depending on precipitation levels in the region
leading to dwellings on stilts in many regions with frequent flooding or rainy
monsoon seasons. Flat roofs are rare in areas with high levels of precipitation.
Similarly, areas with high winds will lead to specialised buildings able to cope with
them, and buildings will be oriented to present minimal area to the direction of
prevailing winds. Climatic influences on vernacular architecture are substantial and
can be extremely complex
HOT & SEMIARID

HOT ARID
TROPICAL WET
&DRY
TEMPERATE HUMID
COLD & SEMIAIRD
COLD & AIRD
DIFFERENT CLIMATE REGION
The way of life of building occupants, and the
way they use their shelters, is of great

influence on building forms. The size of family
units, who shares which spaces, how food is
prepared and eaten, how people interact and
many other cultural considerations will affect
the layout and size of dwellings.
The
local environment and the construction

materials it can provide governs many aspect of
vernacular architecture. Areas rich in trees will
develop a wooden vernacular, while areas without
much wood may use mud or stone.
In early California redwood water towers supporting
redwood tanks and enclosed by redwood siding
(tank houses) were part of a self-contained windpowered domestic water system. In the Far East it is
common to use bamboo, as it is both plentiful and
versatile. Vernacular, almost by definition, is
sustainable, and will not exhaust the local resources.
If it is not sustainable, it is not suitable for its local
context, and cannot be vernacular.
An
appreciation
of
vernacular
architecture
is
increasingly seen as vital in the immediate response to
disasters and the following construction of transitional
shelter if it is needed.
The work Transitional Settlement: Displaced Populations,
produced by Shelter Centre covers the use of vernacular
in humanitarian response and argues its importance.
The value of housing displaced people in shelters which
are in some way familiar is seen to provide reassurance
and comfort following often very traumatic times. As the
needs change from saving lives to providing medium to
long term shelter the construction of locally appropriate
and accepted housing can be very important.
As many jurisdictions introduce tougher
building codes and zoning regulations, "folk

architects" sometimes find themselves in
conflict with the local authorities.
MID EAST
The informal, functional architecture of structures, often in
rural areas of India, built of local materials and designed to

meet the needs of the local people.
The builders of these structures are unschooled in formal
architectural design and their work reflects the rich diversity
of India's climate, locally available building materials, and
the intricate variations in local social customs and
craftsmanship.
It has been estimated that worldwide close to 90% of all
building is vernacular, meaning that it is for daily use for
ordinary, local people and built by local craftsmen. The term
"vernacular architecture" in general refers to the informal
building of structures through traditional building methods
by local builders without using the services of a professional
architect. It is the most widespread form of building.
Kachcha
Akachchais a building made of natural materials such asmud,grass,bamboo,thatchor
sticks and is therefore a short-lived structure. Since it is not made for endurance it requires
constant maintenance and replacement. The practical limitations of the building materials
available dictate the specific form which can have a simple beauty. The advantage of
akachchais that construction materials are cheap and easily available and relatively little
labour is required.
PAKKA
Apakkais a structure made from materials resistant to wear, such as forms of stone or brick,
clay tiles, metal or other durable materials, sometimes usingmortarto bind, that does not
need to be constantly maintained or replaced. However, such structures are expensive to
construct as the materials are costly and more labour is required. Apakkamay be
elaborately decorated in contrast to akachcha.
Semi-pukka
A combination of thekachchaandpukkastyle, the semi-pukka, has evolved as villagers have
acquired the resources to add elements constructed of the durable materials characteristic of
apukka. Architecture as always evolves organically as the needs and resources of people
change.
Regional variation
Building material depends on location. In hilly country where rocky
rubble,ashlar, and pieces of stone are available, these can be patched

together with a mud mortar to form walls. Finer stonework veneer covers the
outside. Sometimes wood beams and rafters are used with slate tiles for
roofing if available. Houses on hills usually have two stories, with the
livestock living on the ground floor. Often averandaruns along the side of
the house. The roof is pitched to deal with the monsoon season and the
house may sit on raised plinths or bamboo poles to cope with floods.
On the flat lands, abodes are usually made of mud or sun-baked bricks,
then plastered inside and out, sometimes with mud mixed with hay or even
cow dung and whitewashed with lime.
Where bamboo is available (mainly in the north and north-eastern states) it
is widely used for all parts of the home as it is flexible and resilient. Also
widely used isthatchfrom plants such as elephant grass, paddy, and
coconut. In the south, clay tiles are used forpukkaroofing while various
plant material such as coconut palm is common forkachcha.
Vernacular architecture comprises the dwellings and other

buildings of the people. Related to their environmental contexts
and available resources they are customarily owner- or
community-built, utilizing traditional technologies. All forms of
vernacular architecture are built to meet specific needs,
accommodating the values, economies and ways of life of the
cultures that produce them.
(Paul Oliver)
In vernacular architecture, the process of evolution using a
model continues with adjustments and variations. The dwelling

is now built by tradesmen. Vernacular architecture does not
have theoretical or aesthetic pretensions and models develop in
accordance with regional, climatic and economic factors.
(Baker)

Vernacular Architecture

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How does climate influence vernacular architecture?

How does climate influence vernacular architecture?

What are some common building materials used in vernacular architecture?

What are some common building materials used in vernacular architecture?

Presented by:-Arshad Nafees

Vernacular architecture is cheapest and simplest.

Vernacular architecture is influenced by a great

range of different aspects of human behaviour

One of the most significant influences on vernacular architecture is the macro

HOT & SEMIARID

DIFFERENT CLIMATE REGION

The way of life of building occupants, and the

way they use their shelters, is of great

local environment and the construction

As many jurisdictions introduce tougher

building codes and zoning regulations, "folk

The informal, functional architecture of structures, often in

rural areas of India, built of local materials and designed to

rubble,ashlar, and pieces of stone are available, these can be patched

Vernacular architecture comprises the dwellings and other

In vernacular architecture, the process of evolution using a

model continues with adjustments and variations. The dwelling

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