Culture & Sustainability: Lessons from Vernacular Architecture by Basma Fahim
In a time of revolutionary technological development dominating our lives, the thought of traditional construction techniques may appear to be regressive, but vernacularity symbolizes more than just wistful yearning. Instead, it is about learning from a time when different cultures and spaces were in harmony with the ecology and natural integrity of a place. Vernacular architecture incorporated efficient use of resources, resulting in ingenious forms that were culturally adaptive and sustainable at the same time. People discovered and invented ways to fulfill their needs while sensitively dealing with forces of nature, and achieved their aspirations by by working with natural phenomena rather than against it. Over the years, it has become imperative for us to seek the wonders of vernacular systems given the ever-growing need of the urban populations. For that, one needs to discuss the fundamentals of vernacular architecture that can guide us to enhance our environment, and perhaps, start from a shelter.
It is without a doubt that tackling the 21st-century urban housing problem is a challenging task. These people construct with local materials and make use of the self- help mechanism incrementally to cater to their growing family necessities and develop their homes, and this culture of user contribution to the building process is just beginning to be acknowledged. We need to realize that social status is temporary and multi-use spaces should be adaptable and allow opportunities for personalization. Flexible spaces put less burden on our environmental resources, as compared to spaces designed for specialized and single-use. This presents itself in stark contrast to the traditional construction techniques that cater to the growing needs of its users. Therefore, not only is flexible design a hallmark for a vernacular and sustainable mode of construction, the encouragement of resources that already dwell in the determination and skill of people will lay the ground for economical settlements for a great bulk of the population.
The process of construction itself utilizes a great amount of energy, and we need to find ways of lessening this consumption. An important aspect of vernacular architecture is the use of local materials for construction. The availability of these materials vary by geography; rammed earth, red brick, and bamboos are some popular examples. These materials respond to their environments well towards heat gain and heat loss. In addition, local materials require minimum transport and use lower energy inputs for production in most cases. The use of local materials also offers familiarity and belonging through the projects lifecycle – knowledge transfer during construction, and ownership in the years after.
It is a noteworthy observation that vernacular communities are also defined by their economical use of land and tightness of form which brings several social and environmental benefits in contrast to modern spaces. Of course, land is an important resource and its preservation is pivotal to all ecosystems. Vernacular settlements often
require much less infrastructure such as roads and piped water supplies, and generally have a much lower unit cost for their entire development. Along with that, it perceives the building as a living entity shaped in consonance with distinct cultural and social needs. Driven by simple architectural principles, traditional settlements contain spaces that breed spontaneity and create a secure environment that encourages people to interact with their communities. This is because the integrity of a shelter in high-density settlements is often suited to the specific cultural values and lifestyles of its people, reinforced through family traditions and a sense of community.
In conclusion, through the use of sustainable techniques such as energy conservation schemes, flexible designs, and adaptive reuse of buildings, we can begin to master the art of existing in harmony with nature and save our ecosystem from further deterioration. We need to understand that vernacular architecture has provided us with an abundance of lessons for a meaningful connection with the spirit of place. This connection that is arbitrated through traditional values and knowledge acts as a precious lesson for the rather orthodox architecture of the twenty-first century. Perhaps, it is time we strive for environmentally friendly communities and reunite intimately with the ecological gradations of culture and region.
