Presentation 6 31 08
Transcript of Presentation 6 31 08
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