The Influences of Globalisation and Architectural Resistance within Tropical Climate by: Willie Yogatama, University of Nottingham
1.1.2 Traditional and Pre-Colonial Architecture According to Awotona (1986) the nature of the place relates strongly to its climate, environment, geographical location, and geological condition. On the other hand, the culture of the society relates to their way of living with others. These two driving forces determine the traditional architecture of tropical climate. Therefore, the role of traditional and pre-colonial architecture in tropical climate is essential as the reflection of its climate and environment, as well as, culture and social conditions. On the other hand, according to Osasona (2006) traditional architecture in tropical country is a spontaneous building process by using spontaneous design and construction techniques with local materials. It was passed from one generation to another, went through a process of trial and error, and selective borrowing. Following the time, some features, dispositions, and ornamentations became subtle and part of their civilisation, while others were rejected. Through this slow process, traditional architecture made itself as the representative of every culture. Therefore, in tropical country, this process linked strongly to the nature of place and the culture of the society. 1.1.3 Colonial Architecture Colonisation has strong influences to the creation of vernacular architecture in tropical countries. The traditional architecture changed and evolved significantly when the colony came and conquered their area. There are a few definitions referring to colonial architecture. According to Wright (1991), there was a tendency for the colony to imitate their original design in their conquered areas. However, there were some responses from colonised countries to adapt this colonial style into their local culture. This adoption and acculturation process was determined by their architectural resistance. This resistance level might be different one from another based on their affection to their local past and history. This could be seen through the hybrid between the local architectural with the colonial architecture which created vernacular architecture of particular places. Bhabha (1994, p. 269) claimed that tropical colonised architecture is: ―[the] invention of historicity, mastery, mimesis or as the ‗other scene‘ of Entsellung, displacement, fantasy, psychic defence, and an ‗open‘ textuality.‖ 8