Documentation for Preservation

Creating a data base for the preservation of African

Vernacular Architecture.

Relevance of Traditional Architecture

Kano, Nigeria

June 24th-25th 2008

Introduction

Basic concepts

#1

#2

African vernacular architecture has a powerful beauty to it. It is an architecture of the earth.

Vernacular architecture construction techniques and styles are being abandoned for “western” materials and beliefs.

#3 Vernacular architecture is as much a part of a socities culture as language, songs and beliefs.

Beauty of:

Beauty of:There is a beauty

Distinct African style

Architecture of the earth

Makes sense

Has a sense of place

Beauty of the combination of materials:There is a beauty

Thatch

Burnt brick Bamboo

Wood

Sense of placeThere is a beauty

Sense of placeThere is a beauty

Greek Housing

Sense of place There is a beauty

Sense of placeThere is a beauty

New York Skyline

Sense of placeThere is a beauty

Sense of placeThere is a beauty

Japanese Temple

Sense of placeThere is a beauty

Greek Housing

Japanese Temple

New York Skyline

Africa sense

Africa sense

Africa sense

Distinct

To geography

To available materialsTo traditions

To culture

There is a beauty

Zambia sense

Examples from ZambiaThere is a beauty

Nigeria sense

There is a beauty

Is a burnt brick just a burnt brick?

Is a burnt brick just a burnt brick?

Clay content

Size

Firing process

Colour

How implemented

Grand Vernacular Structures

Great ruins of Zimbabwe

Islamic mosque in Sudan

Djenne’s grand mosque in Mali

Simple Vernacular Structures

Importance of:

Importance of: Importance of:

Vernacular architecture is disappearing

Preserving a part of culture

System that has and does work

Relevant

Sustainable

Not being passed on to future generations

Not being passed onImportance of:

Not being passed onImportance of:

Generation #1

Not being passed onImportance of:

Generation #1

Generation #2

Not being passed onImportance of:

Generation #1

Generation #2

Generation #3

How can we build again in beautiful places?

Vernacular Mechanism is firmly tied to:

climate

topography

materials

culture

other particulars of it’s region

How can we build again in beautiful places?

Characteristics of Vernacular Mechanism:

1. The process works with a set of patterns held by a culture at large.

2. Patterns are passed down from generation to generation.

How can we build again in beautiful places?

repeatable

Importance of:

How can we build again in beautiful places?

Easily Perceived

Importance of:

repeatable

Easily Perceived Easily Loved

Importance of:

repeatable

Easily Perceived Easily Loved Easily Executed

People build on economyImportance of:

How to do:

How to do:

What is available for information?

What is available for information?How to do:

Text only

What is available for information?How to do:

Pictures

How to do:

How to do:

It has been done

Does not have to be expensive

Multiple combinations of possible partnering

All it takes is a digital camera and an internet link

How to do:

• 1st step: Gather information

How to do:

Researcher Data

All it takes is a digital camera and an internet link

How to do:

Funding

Researcher Data

How to do:

How to do:

FundingResearcher

Data

How to do:

The Process

FundingResearcher

Universities

Organizations

Driver

Translator

Lodging

Access to a computer/ internet

Transport

Data

How to do:

Flights

Data Bank

The Process How to do:

Process #1

Funding

Researcher

Driver

Translator

Lodging

Access to the internet

TransportData

Flights

How to do:

Process #1: Researcher

Funding

Researcher

Driver

Translator

Lodging

Access to a computer/ internet

TransportData

Flights

How to do:

Process #1: Researcher

How to do:

How to do:Process #2: Researcher with

University

How to do:

Process #2: Researcher with University

Data

Researcher

Funding

Universities

How to do:

Process #3:

FundingResearcher

Organizations

Driver

Translator

Lodging

Access to the internet

Transport

Data

How to do:

Working with organizations

Process #3:Working with organizations

United States Peace Corps

United Kingdom Volunteer Service

Overseas

Republic of Ireland Irish Aid

How to do:

Process #4

Funding

Researcher

Organizations

Driver

Translator

Lodging

Access to the internet

TransportData

How to do:

Process #4:Working with organizations

Architects without Borders

International Habitat for Humanity

Process #4

Funding

Researcher

Organizations

Driver

Translator

Lodging

TransportData

How to do:

Access to the internet

How to do:

How to do:

How to do:Process #5Universities lead research

Data Bank

Driver

Translator

Lodging

Access to the internet

Transport

Universities

Central Data Storage

How to do:Process #5Universities lead research

How to do:

Process #6

Funding

Driver

Translator

Lodging

Access to a computer/ internet

TransportData

How to do:

Central Data Storage

Partnering with the United Nations

Central Data Storage

How to do:Process #6Partnering with the United Nations

Analysis of:

Step 1: Collect data

Collecting dataPromotion of:

Collecting dataPromotion of:

Step 1: Collect data

Step 2: Analysis of data

Promotion of:

Analysis of data

Promotion of:

Analysis of data

Promotion of:

materials

types

styles

decorations

Analysis of data

Step 1: Collect data

Step 2: Analysis of data

Step 3: Testing

What are these materials capable of?

Expanding spaces

Load capacities

Expanding spacesConnections

Testing

Taking essence of:

Possible Solutions

Taking the essence of:

Emergency Shelter

Great ventilation

Good light quality

Easy to construct

Possible SolutionsTaking the essence of:

Is this sustainable architecture?

What is the definition of sustainable architecture?

Promoted as such because it has great insulation values

Possible SolutionsTaking the essence of:

What is the definition of sustainable architecture?

Replaceable

Can be re-grown

thatch

burnt brick

bamboo

mud (for plastering walls)

Taking the essence of:

Creating distinct interiors

Creating distinct exteriors

LodgesTaking the essence of:

Lodges (Zimbabwe)Taking the essence of:

Lodges (Zambia)Taking the essence of:

Limited use of modern materialsTaking the essence of:

Customs

Customs house

CustomsTaking the essence of:

ResidenceTaking the essence of:

CustomsTaking the essence of:

Conclusion

Greater acceptance

Conclusion

Greater acceptance

Conclusion

ConfidenceGreater acceptance

Conclusion

ConfidenceGreater acceptance

Repeatable

Conclusion

All it takes is a camera and communication

Vernacular architecture are part of cultural manifestation