ABOUT THE PROTOTYPOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE DWELLING

Abstract

Throughout human history, housing has been crucial for human existence, serving as shelter, a symbol of social status, economic prosperity, and cultural identity. Studying archaeological data from different times and peoples has enabled the analysis of the main stages of the development of one of the fundamental values of human material culture - housing. Housing stands as concrete evidence supporting hypotheses and scientific discoveries, offering insights into the life, culture, and traditions of specific epochs. Its extensive evolutionary journey has been shaped significantly by advancements aimed at optimizing living conditions, influenced by societal norms, domestic practices, and scientific advancements. This ongoing evolution has defined housing's architectural characteristics, including differentiation of family, household, functional planning, work, and communal spaces, alongside spatial and expressive architectural elements. It encompasses the development of individual housing units within broader building and settlement frameworks, encompassing diverse housing types and their typological classifications, as well as applying construction and technical methods. This study examines the distinctive typological groups of housing, characterized by their structural underpinnings. These groups are delineated by key factors influencing the inception of formative architectural techniques, such as the early development of functional-planning solutions rooted in familial and regional contexts, and cultural traditions. Additionally, the article explores the architectural evolution of housing, analyzing how prototype components have shaped the phased development of residential functional-planning structures over time. This research contributes to a broader series of investigations into typological evolution of housing, aiming to deepen our understanding of its transformative journey across different historical periods.