Vernacular or Modern; It’s All aboutChoosing Right Applications for Environmentally Friendly Architecture

Abstract

In the past, passive vernacular architecture was used in the buildings so that the residents could live in a cool environment in summer and warm environment in winter. Vernacular buildings were well-adjusted to local climatic conditions with the best suitable materials. With the development of new techniques and materials; low-tech methods of vernaculararchitecture were regarded as backward and have been ignored by architects of modern architecture and vernacular applications were replaced by inappropriate architectural values along with their detrimental effects on the environment. Different materials and technology for a comfortable life are available today; but without passive cooling features in place, extensive use of air conditioning and energy has become inevitable for the houses to be thermally comfortable. However; high heating and cooling costspose an economic problem for low-income people.In this qualitative study; four case studies, built in different periods of the XXthand XXIstcenturies (from 1925 to 2020)were examined. Two mass houses and two detached houses in Lefkoşa were selected and examined from the viewpoint of architectural elements. The aim of this study is to analyze these houses in terms of building materials, building orientationand facade characteristics and question if importance to vernacular applications were given to these buildings during the construction in order to overcome negative effects of the hot dry climate of Lefkoşa.The results pointed out that only light building color was used in all cases as a vernacular strategy. Except the modern building from the 2000-2020 period, the other houses were oriented in the North-south direction. Reinforced concrete was used in three cases, except the Samanbahçe mass houses where 50 cm thick adobe was used in the walls. Extension of the roof was provided only in Efruz houses. Sun shading devices, which is one of the vernacular applications, was seen in the other three buildings however it was neglected only in the modern building from the 2000-2020 period