CADALIN, Angel Gabriel P.

Assignment 1
2018122509 / A53 June 1, 2020
AR144-1 / 4Q1920 Arch. Carlos Sauco

Vernacular Architecture: Definition, Principles and Energy Conservation

Unpredictable future with climate change, population growth, and scarce resources instill us to
come up with an architecture that is energy efficient in order to provide comfortable living conditions for the
next generations. Solutions for this, however, do not automatically require us to use modern technology. In
fact, it is more common to refer back to vernacular architecture since it is sustainable and energy-efficient.
Attitude towards vernacular architecture though is still short-sighted to many since it is often associated
with the past, underdevelopment, and poverty.

In order to debunk the short-sighted mentality towards vernacular architecture, we must first
discuss the roots and the academically recognized definition of it. For starters, the linguistic root of the term
“vernacular” comes from the Latin word “vernaculus” which refers to a native language or dialect that is
usually in its normal spoken form. This means that the term vernaculus is associated with what is habitually
recognized in a certain locale. This meaning of vernaculus can, therefore, be applied to buildings and
landscapes that are regionally distinctive, and just like the language, this architecture is transformed into a
predictable pattern and expression in design.

Historically, the origin of vernacular architecture was when mankind was forced to utilize natural
resources that are around them in order to create a comfortable and secure shelter. Such architecture is
undoubtedly a natural response to an individual's or society's needs. Vernacular architecture is then defined
by Aboulnaga and Mostafa (2019) as:

Representing native, domestic (local) and indigenous buildings in a country. It reflects the
environmental, cultural, and historical context in which it existed. Vernacular architecture uses
available materials to fulfill the local needs. It is almost by definition "A sustainable architecture"
since it utilized locally available resources without exhausting them.1

In addition, vernacular architecture is also expected to evolve over time. This efficiently reflects the
environmental, cultural, and historical context of where it exists. It is also influenced by various aspects of
human behavior and environment which results in architectural forms as shown in Fig 1.

1
Sayigh, A. Sustainable Vernacular Architecture: How the Past Can Enrich the Future. Cham, Switzerland: Springer,
2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06185-2.
 Fig. 1 Vernacular buildings in Ghent, North of Belgium.2

Vernacular architecture is an architecture built by its own local citizens using their own local
materials of which reflects the culture of the locale and their tradition. It is also implied that vernacular
architecture adheres to the basic green architectural principles since its energy efficiency, utilization of local
materials, and resources within its close proximity are used to comply with the climate-responsive building
requirements. For this reason, the architectural context of vernacular architecture is considered as the
'essence of sustainability'.

Since vernacular architecture represents the response of the locale to various cultural systems,
historical events, and environmental forces, it is understandable that vernacular architecture, therefore, is
relatively about transitioning rather than being in stasis. As it is universally acknowledged that change is
constant, human nature also consistently proves that adaptation is always possible. So, rather than
perceiving vernacular forms as old and fixed entities in time, it is strongly suggested that vernacular
architecture is anything but that. In addition, there are various dynamics that shape the vernacular form
which is shown in a structural model in Fig 2.

2
Sayigh, A. Sustainable Vernacular Architecture: How the Past Can Enrich the Future. Cham, Switzerland: Springer,
2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06185-2.
 Fig 2. Three-dimensional exchange model by Kingston WM. Heath 3

As shown in the structural model in Fig 2, Heath (2009) emphasized that:

A vernacular form may reach a point of relative stasis within its environment (stabilized vernacular
or folk); be in a transitional or liminal phase (evolving vernacular); or reach a point at which its
functional vitality, symbolic power, and cultural value is rejected or maintained largely through
memory (extinct vernacular). Placing the emphasis on such thresholds of change draws attention
to the form-types and plan-types that emerge during an era in light of patterns of effect critical to
their contextual relevance today.4

3
Heath, K W. Vernacular Architecture and Regional Design: Cultural Process and Environmental Response. 1st ed.
Routledge, 2009.
4
Heath, K W. Vernacular Architecture and Regional Design: Cultural Process and Environmental Response. 1st ed.
Routledge, 2009.
 In response to climatic conditions, vernacular architecture employs passive, energy-efficient
strategies that are necessary to the form, orientation, and building materials so that human thermal comfort
can be satisfactory. The economical use of local building resources indicates how this type of architecture
is relative to sustainable design. Although it seems that sustainability is too modern and concerned with
technology to be even considered relative to vernacular architecture, it is actually not.

Both sustainability and vernacular architecture is actually in reference to one another. Think of it as
when humans seek sustainable shelter or buildings, designers almost immediately, study the vernacular
features in the site to work on the design. The reason for this is that vernacular architectural designs
correlate highly with the principles of sustainability. As Salgın, Bayram, Akgün, and Agyekum (2017) stated:

Vernacular architectural products could be associated with sustainable architectural principles. This
is because the common goal of sustainable design and vernacular architecture is to produce
environmentally friendly constructions that are compatible with the surrounding conditions and that
can last for many years.5

With the energy use of majority in buildings often results to environmental damage, the need for
applying sustainability increases daily. It is established that sustainability and energy efficiency can be
attained through vernacular architecture; principles and innovations, however, is essential to allows us with
energy conservation and minimal environmental degradation. For this reason, the following sustainable
design principles6 in vernacular architecture identified by Nisha and Jayasudha (2016) are:

(1) Planning and orientation of buildings

5
Salgın, B., Ö. Bayram, A. Akgün, and K. Agyekum. “Sustainable Features of Vernacular Architecture: Housing of
Eastern Black Sea Region as a Case Study.” Arts 6, no. 4 (2017): 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts6030011.
6
Nisha, T, and P Jayasudha. “Sustainable and Energy Efficient Design Principles in Vernacular
Architecture.” International Journal of Advanced Research in Biology Engineering Science and Technology
(IJARBEST) 2, no. 11 (2016).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320243422_Sustainable_and_Energy_Efficient_Design_Principles_in_V
ernacular_Architecture.
Planning and orientation of the buildings

Fig 3. Sample low rise dwelling in a settlement in Tamil Nadu, India: (a) elevation (b) longitudinal section

Fig 4. (a) Map of Vallam settlement in Tamil Nadu, India (b) Small lane in between the dwellings
(c) Front thinnai - the socializing space for all age group

There is a significant direct influence between the climate of a region and the settlement and its
built form. In order to optimize the effects of sun and winds, primary determining factors such as solar path
and prevailing winds are also considered in the process of vernacular architecture and sustainable design.
An example of this is settlements with moderately dense, low rise development (Fig 3) with courtyard type
dwellings that are often found in areas where there is a warm humid climate. As shown in Fig 4, each house
has a row housing pattern with small lanes on both sides to provide access to the backyard without entering
the actual house. This design facilitates continuous air movement within the settlement.7

7
Jayasudha, P, M. Dhanasekaran, M. Devadas, and N. Ramachandran. “A Study on Sustainable Design Principles: A
Case Study of a Vernacular Dwelling in Thanjavur Region of Tamil Nadu, India.” Indian Journal of Traditional
Knowledge 13, no. 4 (n.d.): 762–70. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/vernacular dwelling
Thanjavur.pdf.
Design and spatial flexibility

Vernacular dwellings are adapted based on specific cultural and social contexts. Local builders,
with the available resources from the surrounding environment, creates a design in response to climatic
constraints, culture, social, economic, and religion. This consideration is considered as a strength of
vernacular architecture since it harmonizes conflicting design requirements. The quality of spaces within a
vernacular dwelling depends on its flexibility to optimize natural light, air flow, and various activities that can
be performed within it (Fig 4).

Climate responsiveness

Designing a vernacular dwelling based on the microclimate of the site connotes to the adaptation
of passive energy strategies. One of the major passive and climate-responsive elements in a vernacular
setting is the sloping roof (Fig 5). It significantly reduces the heat gain on the surface is caused through its
slope angle, effortlessly drains the water, its eaves provide sun shading and ventilated roof spaces allow
passive cooling systems. The usage of these design strategies differs based on site since it is vernacular.
Respectively, there are known distinctive vernacular designs for hot-arid zones, warm-humid zones, and
temperate and upland zones.8

Fig 5. Sloping roof with wall shading overhangs and a well-ventilated space between roof and ceiling.

8
Gut, P., and D. Ackerknecht. Climate Responsive Building - Appropriate Building Construction in Tropical and
Subtropical Regions. 1st ed. St. Gallen: SKAT, 1993. http://collections.infocollections.org/ukedu/en/d/Jsk02ce/.
Material usage and Indigenous construction techniques

Nature, materials, and the way the materials respond to nature will never change. Only the
perception of people to specific materials change in time which obviously impacts architecture since the
beginning. In vernacular architecture, all building materials and resources should be available locally.
Construction of such dwellings will be built based on the indigenous construction techniques and skills of
the locale that is passed on from generation to generation. For the vernacular architecture of the Philippines,
pre-Hispanic bahay-kubo (Fig 6) utilizes building materials that are abundant and locally available (i.e.
timber, bamboo, palm fronds, and grass). Through simple construction, a light structure dwelling suited for
the tropics is built and allows easy reconstruction, maintenance, and repair after earthquakes, typhoons,
and floods.

Fig 6. The bahay kubo is the traditional / pre-colonial Filipino dwelling9

9
Igharas, J S. Bahay Kubo. Photograph. Lean Interpretations from Philippine Vernacular Architecture. Lean
Urbanism, 2014. http://leanurbanism.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Antonio_PhilippineArchitecture.pdf.
Density and sense of place

The efficient utilization of land and ecology is also characteristic that encompasses vernacular
architecture. The compactness of form provides more environmental, economic, and social advantages
compared to dispersed settlements. Examples of these factors are ease of transportation, smaller distance
and easy maintenance for service lines, less exposure of walls to direct sunlight, optimizes air flor, and
cohesive social bonding. Additionally, distinction between public, semi-public, semi-private and private
areas in a compact community can be established through varying degree of accessibility. Compact layout
for communities (Fig 7) does not necessarily equate to high density, rather it aims to provide diverse
activities within the community resulting in reduced mobility, energy consumption, and carbon footprint.

Fig 7. Example of a compact structure of a desert vernacular settlement with farm lands and
cemeteries lie on the outskirts of Al Qasr town in the Dakhla oasis.10

10
Dabaieh, M. A Future for the Past of Desert Vernacular Architecture: Testing a Novel Conservation Model and
Applied Methodology in the Town of Balat in Egypt. Sweden: LUND University, 2011.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247849342_A_future_for_the_past_of_desert_vernacular_architectur
e_testing_a_novel_conservation_model_and_applied_methodology_in_the_town_of_Balat_in_Egypt.