Objectives:
- To understand the benefits of researching traditional local methods to inform modern sustainable design
- To understand the benefits to local culture and economies of using ideas based on the vernacula
Case study Rationale:
How are the case studies related?
- All are inspired by local vernacular design whether for cultural reasons ( Bolivia, China, PNG, BRE:Natural House) or for climatic reasons (Bolivia, PNG, China, Cobtun, BRE:Natural House) or for potential modern benefits of construction (Chile, BRE:Natural House)
- None use technology to aid climate control
- Local materials used
- User considered
- Locality and culture considered
How are the case studies different?
- Different cultures
- Different climate
- Different vernacular styles incorporated
- Resulting designs are quite different (this shows locality and culture consideration)
Case studies relating to eco-modernism:
BRE Innovation park, Passivhaus standard Scotland and Freiburg Germany). How do these relate:
- All use technology or rely on modern construction to overcome climate issues
- None have looked at vernacular or local traditional architecture for inspiration
- ‘International’ style, not particularly relevant to locality or user
Method:
I will conduct interviews and author analysis using the questions below.
Building Assessment Criteria (author analysis):
- How has the building learnt from the local vernacular?
- What vernacular technologies have been incorporated?
- What vernacular technologies have been altered to suit a modern lifestyle or for other reasons, and why?
- What cultural symbols/styles have been retained, why are these significant?
- How does the building represent the culture of the user?
- What energy savings have been made?
- How does this building compare in energy use to a typical modern building in the locality?
- How does the building compare to local vernacular?
- How has climate been thought about?
- Are there large variations of climate within the country, if so how has that been dealt with?
- Are materials locally sourced?
- Have any green technologies been incorporated?
- What passive strategies are used to reduce energy use?
- What modern benefits exist in the new design?
Building Assessment Criteria (user analysis):
General information about interviewee (e.g name, age, no. of people living there, occupation)
Questions about the case study:
How would you score your house from 1 to 10 on:
- Appearance
- Comfort
- Climate control
- Cost
- Lifestyle
- Happiness
- Overall rating
- Are there times when the house is too hot/too cold?
- What do you do in these times?
- Is the house adaptable to make you comfortable?
- Is it easy to do this?
- Does the house offer you flexibility– does it suit the way you live?
- Does this house suit your religious belief? How so?
- Does this house suit your culture? How so?
- Is there anything in the building you would like to change?
- Is there anything you dislike about your home?
- Do you find your home easy to use?
- How does this house compare with your previous homes?
- What is better about it?
- What is worse?
- Do you have friends or relatives who live in different types of housing?
- What are their thoughts about your house?
- How do you think this house compares to other houses?
- What do you think about traditional/indigenous architecture of this region?
- What do you think about new buildings built now?
Building Assessment Criteria (designer analysis):
- How did you become involved in this project?
- What interested you in this project?
- Did you enjoy the process?
- What inspiration was used to form the design?
- What lessons did you learn from local vernacular?
- How much did this inform your design?
- What are your thoughts on vernacular architecture in the locality?
- What are your thoughts on modern architecture in the locality?
- Do you consider this a global issue?- Are you pleased with the result of this project?
- How have you rated the success of this project?
