In the concrete utopia would you say such projects are sustainable in the long run? Or is it necessary to fuse these methods with the new age concepts of building?
The key challenge in the 21st century is to find out how the existing knowledge of the vernacular design systems can be fruitfully applied in a modern context. Likewise it is also necessary to devise methods that enables us to scientifically test the actual performance of vernacular traditions and generate an awareness on how they can be utilized to build sustainable structures in the existing built environment.
How green is a project based on the principles of vernacular architecture? When the features of vernacular architecture green design parameters are compared,
Ar. Himanshu Patel, Principal Designer, d6thd design studio
In vernacular architecture, the user who designs his own building tends to meet all his needs by using the opportunities and the possibilities offered by nature. The designer/ constructor/user tries to eliminate every single detail that could adversely affect his life.
Q and A with Ar. Himanshu Patel
It must be recognized that although many vernacular technologies, resources or forms are suitable and sustainable, there are a couple of techniques/method that are no longer properly functioning because of the changed cultural and ecological situations. Sometimes it is not practical to go back to traditional buildings, for they were designed for a different culture and climate.
As a natural result of this process, vernacular buildings include the values of present day green architecture. Without the use of mechanized services or electrical gadgets, Indian vernacular architecture thus offers strategic responses of the built form to combat the harsh vagaries of weather within a frugal resource base. Thick wall mass for insulation (for both warm and colder climates); multi-tiered roof for hot air escape and cross ventilation; jaaliperforated screens for light, view and ventilation without the ingress of heat, haze and glare are just a few novel examples. Though this may sound akin to romancing the past but the idea is to dwell on the facts which have performed well within an indigenous climatic framework.
Design Connect|June 2018
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