Lessons from Vernacular Architecture

The architectural community has had a strong and continuing interest in traditional and vernacular architecture. This has been rekindled by the need to develop an architecture that works with climate, rather than against it, to create more sustainable buildings. Most earlier research and existing publications on traditional or vernacular architecture have followed an anthropological or archaeological approach, whereas books on climatic design and sustainable architecture tend to refer to contemporary principles and built precedents without direct reference to past experience. Lessons from Traditional Architecture takes lessons directly from traditional and vernacular architecture and offers them to the reader as guidance and inspiration for new buildings. The appropriate technical and social solutions provided by vernacular and traditional architecture are analysed in detail. International case studies focus on environmental design aspects of traditional architecture in a broad range of climatic conditions and building types.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Part 1: Bioclimatic Facets of Vernacular Architecture 1.Four Elements of Santorini Architecture Lessons in Vernacular Sustainability 2. Shape, Culture and Environment: a Lesson in Urban Design at the Dakleh Oasis 3. Windows as Environmental Modifiers in Lebanese Vernacular Architecture 4. The Historic Hammāms of Damascus and Fez: Lessons of Sustainability and Future Developments 5. H.AM.M.A.M. Project and Climate Design of Islamic Bath Buildings 6. The Environmental Performance of Traditional Courtyard Housing in China – Case Study: Zhang’s House, Zhouzhuang, Jiangsu Province 7. Comfort in Outdoor Spaces in Turkish Architecture Part 2: Vernacular Architecture as Model 8. Applying the Lessons of Indian Vernacular Architecture: The Bungalow as Example of Adaptive Climatic Response 9. Lighting Features in Japanese Traditional Architecture 10. Bioclimatic Lessons from Luis Barragan’s Architecture 11. Architecture Integrated to Nature: The Use of Timber by Severiano Porto in Brazilian Amazon 12. Questioning the Lessons of Tradition: Comparison of Traditional Houses from Different Climatic Regions of Thailand with a Typical Comtemporary House Design 13. Wee Energy House; Environmentally Responsive Architecture for Rural Northern Ireland 14. The Vernacular as a Model for Sustainable Design

About the Author :
Simos Yannas is the Director of the Environment & Energy Studies Programme at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London where he is responsible for the Master of Science and Master of Architecture in Sustainable Environmental Design and is the Academic Coordinator of the AA School's PhD Programme. Willi Weber is a fully qualified architect. He is Professor of Building Physics at the Institute of Environmental Sciences of the University of Geneva. During 10 years he was the Director of the University Centre for the Study of Energy Problems (CUEPE) where he directed a research group involved in expert appraisals in the field of energy and environment in architecture.