Paper Example on Vernacular Architecture and Alternative Practices

Introduction

Vernacular Architecture can be defined as the people's architectural language together with its local, regional and ethnic dialects (Oliver 2007; Asquith & Vellinga 2006). In other words, vernacular architecture refers to architectural styles whose designing is done using the available construction materials and based on individuals' local traditions. "Vernacular" is a term that has a Latin origin from the word "vernaculus" meaning native, domestic or indigenous. The term vernacular architecture is used in the categorization of the construction methods which utilize resources available locally and traditions that address local needs. This architecture type undergoes evolution over time hence reflecting the cultural, historical and environmental setting in which it exists (Kazimee 2008). The term is also used to refer to indigenous architecture with specific place or time, therefore such architecture includes that which is neither imported nor copied from elsewhere. Often vernacular architecture is applied in residential buildings (Ayson & Taylor 2009). Based on this, vernacular architecture can also be defined as buildings that are built by common builders in a way that is informal rather than by architects who make use of design methodologies.

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According to Glassie (2000), vernacular architecture involves buildings that are designed by amateurs who lack any training in design and are usually guided by a sequence of conventions built up in their locality without paying enough attention to fashion. A building's function is considered the key factor with its aesthetic aspect being of minimal significance, despite its presence to some small degree. This kind of architecture predominantly uses locally available materials with the importation of other materials being quite rare. Unlike in the case of architects' planned architecture, vernacular architecture's building knowledge is often conveyed by local traditions. Therefore, vernacular architecture is in many cases grounded on knowledge attained by trial and error (Weber & Yannas 2013). The knowledge is then handed down from one generation to another rather than through calculations involving knowledge of physics and geometry. Vernacular architecture is believed to have originated at the time when human beings were forced to make use of the natural resources around them (Heath 2009). During the said period of time, mankind discovered the need for a shelter, where one could be shielded from the elements of climate while enjoying the comfort that came with such structures. Thus, vernacular architecture can be considered to be a pure reaction of humankind to the building needs of the society which affirms function as a key factor when it comes to vernacular architecture compared to the structure's aesthetic nature. Having provided a detailed explanation of what is meant by "Vernacular Architecture", this paper further demonstrates the relationship between vernacular architecture and Alternative practices.

In the current world, resources are increasingly becoming scarce despite the increasing need for structures and building which calls for the adoption of alternative practices that are more sustainable. Alternative practices involve the architecture that seeks to achieve a balance between the sustenance of the ecology and the materials, techniques, and design of constructions (Anon 2012). The designing of such buildings has proved challenging as they should be both eco-friendly and sustainable without compromising on other key aspects such as comfort and beauty. However, there are numerous ways through which the relationship between vernacular architecture and alternative practices is evident.

To begin with, as aforementioned in the definition of alternative practices, whereby ecology sustenance is a key aspect, ecological impulse serves as a key alternative practice. Contemporary construction is characterized by an excessive energy input due to the use of highly-processed and synthetic materials, heavy use of power-plant on construction sites as well as the continued high consumption of power in the building's working life which includes heating, air-conditioning, artificial lighting and mechanical services (Porteous 2009). Therefore, due to the rising energy and raw material cost, there is the need for the adoption of alternative practices which will ensure fewer demands, particularly in costs associated with running energy. This can be achieved by the use of devices such as solar water heaters, wind generators, solar walls, heat pumps, methane digesters, as well as the use of subsoil among other on-site materials (Anon 2012). By adopting such devices in constructions, it would be possible to come up with a building with an integrated services system that would be self-sufficient and hence reducing demands on the centralized network system. Additionally, the devices would provide a similar amenity level to that enjoyed by the average householders at present (Glassie 2000).

Similar to the ecological maintenance aspect of alternative practices, vernacular architecture is adaptive and stands the waste of nothing. This type of architecture discourages the destruction of structures and is likely to adopt the most unlikely buildings and utilizing them for new purposes. For this reason, it has taken the orthodoxies a long time to support the notion of throw-away buildings based on the fact that a majority of the existing buildings had over-lived their initial uses (Kazimee 2008). This demonstrates the adaptability nature of vernacular architecture which is also a key aspect of alternative practices as it leads to sustainability as well. By enabling an adaptable environment, the two architecture types provide people with the opportunity to enhance the environment with the products of their vision (Ramesh 2012). This is in contrast to environments that deny people this possibility hence preventing designers from determining the meaning and expectations of others.

The relationship between vernacular architecture and alternative practices is further evidenced by the opposing approaches of the two to the issue of cultural presence in various forms of architecture. While vernacular architecture endorses culture through the use of locally available materials in the building of structures as well as ensuring that the buildings reflect customs and traditions, alternative practices can be viewed as counter-cultural (Porteous 2009). Regarding vernacular architecture, culture prescribes some architectural forms. For instance, in cultures where people believe in one-family per apartment or house, the designing of buildings constructed within such cultural contexts is influenced by the culture in that, the structures would be aligned to appropriately meet the needs of such family sizes. Incremental changes may be made to improve the houses to accommodate the growing families. The possibility of making improvements on an existing house in vernacular architecture is a depiction of the flexibility and freedom that this form of architecture offers.

Similarly, alternative practices also offer flexibility given that a building or structure can have multiple uses. The flexibility aspect can also be used to explain the ecology sustenance nature of alternative practices. Having buildings that have diverse uses and that can hold different tasks means that the buildings are definitely adaptable to conversion to additional uses during their lifetime (Fisher 2000). Generally, this implies that such buildings put less pressure on energy and environmental resources compared to the demolition of old buildings for the construction of new structures. Additionally, in the case where culture has an influence on the designing and building of various architectural forms, it is expected that a giant factory complex would necessitate the inclusion of different entrances, lavatories and canteens for separate levels of hierarchy. The same recommendation for specific architectural forms would be expected in vernacular architecture even when it comes to other structures such as a vast scale agro-industry and huge educational institution (Wohlfarth & Riebisch 2006).

On the other hand, alternative practices, or the counter-culture suggests relatively different building types. For instance, instead of a one-family apartment, there would be a commune or multi-family house and the reintegration of industry and agriculture. Therefore, in addition to prescribing quite different forms of buildings, alternative practices would also put them together in different ways. For example, a school can be combined with a workshop while a market-garden can be joined with a music academy (Brady 2011). It, therefore, follows that while vernacular architecture strictly adheres to culture when choosing certain architectural forms, this is not the case with alternative practices, hence the term 'counter-cultural' alternative.

Further, as above-mentioned, vernacular architecture originated at the time when human beings were forced to make use of the natural resources around them. A time when mankind discovered the need for a shelter, where one could be shielded from harsh climatic conditions and enjoy the comfort that came with the constructed shelters. This can be interpreted to imply that vernacular architecture took into account the concept society's personal fulfillment, a concept that is also stressed by alternative practices. In the same way, alternative practices strongly embrace the notion of a surrounding that can be shaped and redesigned by users (Asquith & Vellinga 2006). This encourages creativity and inventiveness which increase the possibility of discovery. When dwellers in a given environment have control over their surroundings, such environs are usually better. For instance, the minute a dwelling place is in control of the inhabitant, the home gets better and cheaper compared to one built through large corporations or government programs. However, in this case, the primary aim of the dwellers is not simply to save the government's money but rather they are focused on achieving their personal and family fulfillment. One of the ways in which the fulfillment is realized is by the dwellers having freedom from possible landlord's negligence and exploitation. Freedom is also one of the key aspects offered by vernacular architecture through flexible buildings that can be modified to accommodate the changing needs of the family.

User participation also depicts the relationship existing between vernacular architecture and alternative practices whereby the two share this principle. In alternative practices, user participation is evident as occupants of a building are involved, either individually or collectively, at various stages of the building process. An illustration of the user participation principle as it applies to alternative practices is as exemplified by Walter Segal, a much-respected architect, who is said to have been trying to unlearn what he previously assumed over the last decade (Kazimee 2008). The renowned architect engages in designing of houses that achieve unlimited economies by meticulously using timber, which is stress-graded and whose components are of the required standard without on-site cutting to waste. The building process involved a few carpenters, who are now Walter's friends, and the clients themselves (Zhai & Previtali 2010). Walter's case, in which he is designing houses and involving his clients is an indication of user participation in the building process which according to Foruzanmehr and Vellinga (2011) is gaining popularity in many societies as an alternative practice. The element of user participation is also present in vernacular architecture whereby s...