Indigenous Architecture Research Articles

The habitat of two deserts in India: hot-dry desert of Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and the cold-dry high altitude mountainous desert of Leh (Ladakh)

This paper explores the possibility of developing a design methodology and criteria for climatically responsive buildings and settlements for the two desert conditions of India, i.e. hot-dry desert of Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and cold-dry desert of Leh (Ladakh), through a study of the indigenous architecture of these areas. The method explained, in detail, in the paper is based essentially on development of a mathematical model after co-relation of the monitored thermal performance and computer simulation of indifenous buildings. This paper limits its presentation to the stage of thermal performance data and analysis.

Indigenous Architecture and the Spanish American Plaza in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean

AbstractsPlazas are often important spatial representations of society and social hierarchy. Those built in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean under the direction of the Spanish have been interpreted as architectural representations of colonial control and oppression. Underlying these interpretations is the tacit assumption that plaza‐centered urban design was of solely European derivation, in spite of considerable evidence of pre‐Columbian contributions. In fact, the correspondence between the indigenous forms and Spanish reconstruction is so well documented that the denial of its significance is startling.

Wusasa — Where the future acknowledges the past

This article discusses the architectural development of Wusasa College, the oldest Anglican theological establishment in Northern Nigeria, and considers the ways in which buildings at Wusasa reflect on how socio-cultural, environmental, and economic factors have influenced the development of recent construction trends. Its contention is that the new move towards the use of traditional locally available building materials in Wusasa and elsewhere in the country, is a direct result of the economic situation and other socio-cultural factors influencing choice in present day Nigeria. It hypothesises that if this move towards more appropriate building is to achieve permanence, more effective forms of public encouragement are required. It is felt that the contribution of four factors: (1) publicity, (2) government involvement, (3) private sector involvement, and (4) research and development, are crucial to this process. The need to develop an affordable and sustainable local building materials market is essential for the development needs of small communities and self-help groups in all parts of Nigeria, and is the first step towards creating truly indigenous architecture.

Afghanistan: an atlas of indigenous domestic architecture

Afghanistan: an atlas of indigenous domestic architecture

Relevance of Art in the Training of Creative Architects in Nigeria

Most students of architecture in Nigeria do not have the ability to translate beautiful proposals into reality. Freehand sketches of design proposals are difficult and often they are completely absent in schools of architecture. Art is a form of mental development in terms of creativity, imagination and aesthetics. Architecture in Nigeria must have a heavy emphasis on art education if evolving an indigenous architecture is to become a reality. Details of the impact of art in the development of creative architects are discussed.

Edge conditions — climatic considerations in the design of buildings and settlements

The degree to which buildings and settlements in extreme climatic conditions create favourable living conditions depends to a large extent on their interface with the surrounding natural environment. The intricacy of this relationship is clearly expressed in historical and indigenous architecture, whilst contemporary planning and building very often ignore this issue. Edges should be designed carefully to respond to topography and landscape orientation, wind patterns, humidity, and visual and physical links with the surroundings. Proper edge design must operate at all levels, from the settlement, through the housing cluster, the individual house, and down to building details and materials. This paper advocates the concept of edges as a major form determinant of architecture and planning in extreme climatic conditions.

Indigenous architecture as the basis of house design in developing countries: A case study evaluation of traditional housing in Bhutan

This paper discusses criteria for new housing design based upon traditional building solutions that are indigenous to a specific locale, climate, and culture. It is argued that the study of indigenous architecture can contribute to new building design criteria, which too often are based on styles and construction methods that are not properly matched to the ecological and cultural needs of a nation under development. Illustrative material is drawn from a case study of traditional housing in Bhutan.

Indigenous Architecture: Architecture in the Subarctic Region

Indigenous Architecture: Architecture in the Subarctic Region

Indigenous Architecture: Modern Technology and Native Tradition

Indigenous Architecture: Modern Technology and Native Tradition

Indigenous Architecture: Architecture in the Tropics

Indigenous Architecture: Architecture in the Tropics

The Decorated Headhouse of Torres Straits

Research Article| March 01 1960 The Decorated Headhouse of Torres Straits Douglas F. Fraser Douglas F. Fraser Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians (1960) 19 (1): 25–30. https://doi.org/10.2307/987963 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Douglas F. Fraser; The Decorated Headhouse of Torres Straits. Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 1 March 1960; 19 (1): 25–30. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/987963 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentJournal of the Society of Architectural Historians Search This content is only available via PDF. Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.