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Vernacular and Naive Architecture
  Term Paper ID:45862
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This paper provides an analysis of vernacular and na ve architecture a form of ...... More...
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Paper Abstract:
This paper provides an analysis of vernacular and naïve architecture, a form of architecture that is structured on local resources, culture, climate and tastes and has existed since primitive man. The Arab permanent house and the Inuit igloo are used as two examples of this architecture in a comparison of structures.

Paper Introduction:
Vernacular and Na ve Architecture Introduction Since the first hut dwellers built shelter from local materials innon-invasive environmental ways vernacular architecture has existed According to Lillyman and Moriarty vernacular architecture is one thatgrows from a set of local conditions solving problems of shelter andcommunication in a more or less nonself-conscious way it offers simplesolutions simply arrived at p One might translate nonself-conscious with environmentally conscious or sound A vernaculararchitecture is often referred to as a native and a na ve architecture one

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Thesmallest form of Igloo was a temporary dwelling, often used for only one ortwo nights and "built and used during hunting trips, often on open sea ice"(Igloo 2). Often severalof these one room dwellings that housed one or two families were located inproximity of each other, forming an "Inuit village" (Igloo 2). Arising from need, resource availability and local culture andclimate; in 1965 Bernard Rudofsky referred to vernacular architecture as"architecture without architects" (Vellinga 3). One might translate nonself-conscious with environmentally conscious or sound. The most common dwelling werethe permanent houses made of stones or a mud mixture made into blockscalled "Guss" seen in the image above (Mahgoub 1). The Igloo was a much simplerstructure than the Arab permanent house. The courtyard was primarily used for family activities andfor women to move through the dwelling. Al-Hoash - Central Courtyard . The structure clearly shows Juvanec'scontention that a great deal of vernacular architecture is "simple andmodest but effective" (192). Unlike permanent homes built by the Arabs, Igloos were used fordifferent purposes and were built to last for different durations. However, the circularsnow-block building pattern and simpler structure of the Igloo is distinctfrom the UAE permanent house, as seen in the image below: Inuit Igloo Winter Dwelling [pic] The Igloo refers to a shelter like the one above that is typicallymade out of blocks of "compacted snow" and constructed in the shape of a"dome" (Igloo 1). UAE vernacular dwellings involved tents used by Bedouinsduring winter months. As onearchitect notes, "on the outside, temperatures may be as low as -49. 49). New York: Taylor and Francis Group, 2 6.Bronner, Simon J. Al-Mukhtasar - Family Seating Area . Yet is complexity also puts the lie to onearchitectural historian's claim that vernacular architecture is "less akind of building than an approach to looking at buildings" (Bronner 1 71).Nothing could be further from the truth. This wascomparable to Arab settlements of permanent houses. Under such a broaddefinition, Asquith and Vellinga argue that homeless dwellings made from"cardboard boxes, corrugated tin" and other materials comprise vernaculararchitecture; encouraging students of vernacular architecture to"understand the continuities and consistencies in material behavior" asopposed to social tradition (39). Al-Daraiesh - Windows . "Anthropology and the Challenges of Sustainable Architecture." Anthropology Today, June 2 5, 21(3), 3-7. Conclusion Because of their use of local resources, their innovative design andability to harness natural ventilation and heating and other features ofvernacular architecture, the style has had a rebirth in popularity amongmodern environmentalists, green architects, community planners and others.The igloo is clearly one of the least environmentally invasive means ofconstruction, while the Arab permanent house offers unique solutions tocooling and cultural traditions. The mudand stone permanent house used by Arab cultures is typical of vernacularelements in a number of ways and is seen in the image below: Arab Permanent House with Courtyard [pic] Vernacular architecture in the UAE were designed withcharacteristics similar to other areas in the region. Al-Mathar - Ablution Space . It is likely thisprimitive form of architecture that has been part of humankind since itsinception will continue to grow in popularity for its unique and innovativeelements and its environmentally-conscious construction and ideology.Since it also rests on local culture and its needs and values, it will alsogrow in popularity as a social form of architecture, since the generationof vernacular architecture is well-suited to the increasing diversity ofcommunities in the U.S. The igloo often has a passage andstorage area beyond the front entrance below ground level. Al-Liwan - Outside Courtyard Seating Area . Press, 1994.Mahgoub, Dr. Yasser. Al-Makhzan - Storage Area . Critical Architecture and Contemporary Culture. Oftenbased on local culture as much as local resources and climate, vernaculararchitecture is highly associated with cultures that create it from thepermanent mud and stone houses of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to theIgloo structures of carved snow blocks associated with the Inuit. This analysis will provide a comparisonof two vernacular architecture structures - Arab mud and stone houses andInuit igloos - using relevant concepts and terms in comparing the twoworks. Some UAE inhabitants built summer houses over winter houses,leaving openings for natural ventilation. As one architect explains, "In the traditional Inuit igloo the heatfrom the kudlik (stone lamp) causes the interior to melt slightly. Showing how local climate is often a consideration ofvernacular and naïve architecture, the snow is used because of its abilityto trap air pockets inside. Al-Darawiz - Doors (Mahgoub 3)Arising from local resources (mud and stone); structured around localculture (prayer area and privacy for women); and located near trade routes,the Arab permanent house reveals the core of vernacular and naïvearchitecture ideology. Winter permanent homestypically arose near coastal areas, while UAE permanent homes for summerwere generally located near palm tree farms showing the local nature ofvernacular architecture. Many important activities occurredin the courtyard and it offered privacy for women. UAE vernaculararchitecture was "influenced by the natural environment as well aseconomic, social and cultural factors" (Mahgoub 1). More elaborate forms of vernaculararchitecture, exist; however, like the sugar plantation houses of Hawaii. Vernacular Architecture In The Twenty-First Century: Theory, Education and Practice. Vernacular housesin the UAE were typically built in communities near trading routes,allowing "tribal clans to cluster together and expand" as necessary(Mahgoub 2). Others were permanentdwellings and rather elaborate structures considering the often primitivetools and difficulty of manipulating materials in ancient times. The medium-size igloo was built as a semi-permanent dwellingcapable of handling an intermediate-sized family of Inuit. and around the world.Works CitedAsquith, Lindsay, and Vellinga, Marcel. This opened toa living and resting area that had a window and a ventilation hole. New York: Oxford Univ. Modern architects have included homelessdwellings into the vernacular and naïve style of architecture, while greenarchitects incorporate many of its innovative features into their ownstructures. 9 318 Vernacular and Naïve Architecture Introduction Since the first hut dwellers built shelter from local materials innon-invasive environmental ways, vernacular architecture has existed.According to Lillyman and Moriarty, vernacular architecture is one thatgrows from a "set of local conditions solving problems of shelter andcommunication in a more or less nonself-conscious way; it offers simplesolutions simply arrived at" (p. A conclusion will address how vernacular architecture is gainingpopularity due to its local and environmentally-friendly orientation. When built properly, anigloo can withstand the weight of a full grown man on its roof. Theigloo is typically built by forming a dome from separate snow blocks thatlean on each other for support. Privacy was important in the UAEpermanent house where structure was concerned, with Arab culture ensuringthe "male reception area was separated from other family private areas"(Mahgoub 3). The largest iglooswere often two structures, one for special functions and a large permanentdwelling nearby that contained as many as five rooms and was capable ofhousing up to 2 people (Igloo 2). The UAE permanenthouses were actually quite detailed, consisting of the following sections: . "Basics of Proportional Systems in Architecture." Prostor, 17(1), 2 9, 192-199.Kuckro, Anne Crofoot. It was not permanent and mainly awinter dwelling, as many Inuit lived in vernacular dwellings built fromdriftwood in summer months known as "tupiq tents" (Igloo 2). Despite its practicality for the Inuitand its ability to serve their local needs and conditions, the igloo is amuch less sophisticated and less complex structure than the Arab permanenthouses of mud and stone. Body While some vernacular architecture structures were simple nomadicdwellings constructed simply and of few materials. degree Fahrenheit, but on the inside the temperature may range from 19degrees Fahrenheit to 61 degrees Fahrenheit from body heat alone" (Igloo1). This makes it an effective insulator. Thismelting and refreezing builds up an ice sheet and contributes to thestrength of the igloo" (Igloo 2). A vernaculararchitecture is often referred to as a "native" and a "naïve" architecture,one in which "there is common agreement about form" (Lillyman and Moriarty49). Whereas the Arab permanent houses were built to serve as protectionfrom the heat and humidity, the Igloo was constructed to protected theInuit from the harsh frozen conditions of the Artic in winter. The igloo is a rather strong structure. "Vernacular Architecture." Magazine Antiques, 172(1), July 2 7, 78-83.Lillyman, William J., and Moriarity, Marilyn F. Like the UAEpermanent houses and summer houses, different seasons and different huntingor survival purposes caused changes in locations. Vernacular architecture includes everything from Iron Age huts andTipis to Bedouin tents and Togo's tin-and-thatch houses: Tipis, Bedouin Tents, Togo's Tin-and-Thatch Houses[pic][pic][pic] In this way, vernacular architecture is firmly rooted in localresources, ways of living and climate considerations. "Architecture in the United Arab Emirates." March 3 , 2 1 http://victorian.fortunecity.com/dali/428/ uaearch/uaearch6.htm, 1-4.Vellinga, Marcel. "Building Environments: Perspectives in Vernacular Architecture." Journal of Social History, Summer 2 8, 41(4), 1 7 - 1 73."Igloo." Wikipedia. Vernaculararchitecture typically refers to residential dwellings. In summer they lived in dwellings built from palmtree leaves known as "Al Arish" (Mahgoub 1). The Inuit often relied on vernacular structures referred to asIgloo, especially during the winter months. Theprocess of melting and freezing also helps reinforce the strength of theigloo. Al-Samat - Eating Area . March 3 , 2 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Igloo, 1- 3.Juvanec, Borut. It also shows that vernacular architecturestructures were "structured to suit local climates, building materials,skills and tastes" (Kuckro 78). Al-Musalla - Prayer Area .

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