Timber circularity on modern Ganlan vernacular architecture in Chongqing, China

ABSTRACT This project explores the vernacular architectures and axiologies of youth who represent the Global Majority in a 3-week summer design-build programme. Through a visual ethnographic approach of the design-build programme hosted by a university in the Pacific Northwest, high school age youth opted into learning architectural design, carpentry, and metal work. Using photographic data, digital field notes, interview data and b-roll, I use a collage analysis and the concept of layering to interweave narrative, materiality, and representation across modalities to explain youth’s cultural expressions through drawings, aesthetics, and built form. Youth designed pollinator villages embodying personal and ecological stories, revealing values of care, kinship, and community. Layering surfaces and meanings, this analysis offers insight into emergent cultural spatialities and the transformative potential of design education to better support youth’s ongoing knowledge production as a process of facilitating relations.

Synchronizing the water, energy and food nexus in the Makran coastal region: A new approach using indigenous architectural patterns

ABSTRACT Integrating the multi-dimensional values of geoheritage landscapes into planning and decision-making is essential for sustainable conservation and development. This article develops a hierarchical and relational geoheritage value framework distinguishing intrinsic geological values, geo-environmental functions, and derived socio-cultural and economic meanings. Focusing on Göreme in Cappadocia, Türkiye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the study examines its unique landscape of rock formations, valleys, cave dwellings, and monastic complexes. Based on qualitative research combining literature review, archival sources, field observations, stakeholder workshops, and semi-structured interviews, the study systematically identifies and interprets multi-layered geoheritage values through a value typology and relational value matrix. The findings show that Göreme’s significance lies in the functional coherence among geological formations, ecological processes, vernacular architecture, cultural practices, and tourism economies, while revealing tensions between economic valorisation and the preservation of ecological integrity, cultural authenticity, and landscape sustainability, highlighting governance challenges and trade-offs in achieving sustainable conservation and development.

Although Renaissance art often favoured classical architecture as the setting for sacred events and characters, several works from the period, from different European regions, placed religious narratives within rural landscapes that included vernacular architecture. Far from serving as neutral scenery, these rustic settings conveyed symbolic meaning shaped by theological discourse. Christian humanism and Platonic thought converged, prompting many Renaissance paintings to articulate the harmony between the humble life of the countryside and the divine order inscribed in the natural world. Drawing from contemporary humanist thought, pastoral literature, and the iconographic analysis of five case studies, this article argues that vernacular imagery provided a culturally resonant language for divine presence to be more easily experienced. The artistic choice of vernacular architecture, rather than revealing a rejection of Renaissance classicism, suggests a parallel mode of revival, grounded in classical heritage, just as much as Greco-Roman architecture would. This article explores how such architectural choices impacted the audience’s performative construction of sacred meaning, allowing spiritual experience to be mediated through recognisable and symbolically resonant landscapes.

As UNESCO's cultural heritage protection philosophy shifts from monumental architecture to traditional living architecture, the preservation of vernacular architectural heritage has received increasing attention. Nevertheless, it is still in trouble at present. The paper utilizes textual analysis and fieldwork to examine the situation of present vernacular architectural heritage preservation, serious games, and issues and solutions associated with conservation of the vernacular residential cultural heritage buildings. The research confers that preservation of the vernacular architectural heritage is still focused on the heritage itself and there is relatively lack of protection of the collective memories and cultural spirit that is contained within such heritage. The present paper suggests a vision of the serious games incorporating the concept of heritage awareness and cultural experience. The study results indicate that serious games can not only break the time and space restrictions and safeguard the privacy of the residents, but also address the flaws in memory passing and emotional bonding. The research offers a new direction of the ongoing preservation of the vernacular architecture in the digital era and contributes to the innovative methods to the designing of the further cultural serious game narratives.

ABSTRACT This article compares the plan characteristics of traditional houses in Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan) and Van (Türkiye) through a comparative, plan-based typological framework, with attention to strategies of environmental adaptation and sustainability. Although both cities are continental, seismically active, and connected to the Silk Road, their vernacular housing has been studied within separate national narratives. The study uses field surveys, drawings, and archival material from 19 houses in Nakhchivan (Nakhchivan city, Culfa, Ordubad) and 20 houses in Van (Tuşba, İpekyolu). Using a coding matrix, the houses were analysed through plan typology, vertical organization, courtyard configuration, circulation logic, and service-space distribution. Plans were redrawn and coded with variables covering vertical organization, core type, room alignment, courtyard configuration, circulation and open/semi-open space relations, and service-space distribution (kitchen, storage, bath-toilet, tandır). Comparative tables consolidate the dataset into plan-type families applicable to both regions. Results show strong parallels alongside local emphases: Type A single-storey linear courtyard houses and Type B two-storey houses with service-related lower levels and upper living spaces occur in both, while basement use linked to storage and water-related practices is more systematic in Nakhchivan and circulation differs (inner-sofa in Van; dəhliz-eyvan sequences in Nakhchivan). These insights inform conservation priorities and housing design.

This study aims to identify strategies and innovations in the development of earthquake-resistant housing in Indonesia during the 2015–2025 period through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). A total of 20 articles were rigorously selected from 233 initial publications in Google Scholar, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria relevant to the local context in Indonesia. The findings reveal three main approaches: (1) modular prefabricated construction systems such as RISHA, RIKO, and RISBA; (2) improvement of conventional construction in accordance with the latest Indonesian National Standards (SNI); and (3) adaptation of vernacular architecture based on local wisdom. The study also examines the performance of materials such as bamboo, timber, steel profiles, light-gauge steel, and composite materials in enhancing earthquake resilience. Architectural studies in Indonesia generally focus on identifying features and concepts of vernacular architecture that are responsive to seismic conditions; however, they have not yet advanced toward the modernization and generalization of these principles for application in earthquake-resistant housing design. Although various technical and social innovations have emerged, implementation in the field remains constrained by weak technical supervision, disparities in construction and material quality, and low disaster literacy among communities. Therefore, this study recommends strengthening technical regulations, enhancing community capacity, and integrating technology with local values as key strategies toward developing earthquake-resistant housing that is contextual, adaptive, and sustainable in Indonesia.

Pengejaran Village in Kintamani District has significant natural and cultural potential. It can be developed as a community-based tourist village. However, realizing this potential faces substantial limitations in tourism support facilities, particularly regarding destination information provision and promotion of local resources. This research aims to strengthen Pengejaran Tourism Village development through the design of an Information Center to serve as an information hub and promotional space for the village's potential. The methodology employed includes field observations, interviews with community members and village officials, focused group discussions (FGD), and digital-based architectural design planning. The research findings demonstrate that the village center area holds a strategic position suitable for development as a gateway to village tourism activities. The Information Center design accommodates multiple functions, including a tourism information center, village potential gallery, MSME product promotion space, cultural performance venue, and public open space . Sustainable architecture principles are applied through optimized natural lighting, cross-ventilation, the use of local materials, and the integration of the building with open spaces. The design incorporates elements of Balinese vernacular architecture based on the Tri Hita Karana philosophy to maintain balance among humans, the environment, and local cultural values Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureSDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Abstract - This dissertation investigates how vernacular construction materials in the Eastern Himalayas—particularly locally known Icra/Ikra bamboo-based structures in Darjeeling—can be adapted into prefabricated systems without losing cultural authenticity. The study responds to the growing urgency of disaster displacement in India and globally, where prolonged post-disaster shelter conditions expose communities to social, climatic, and psychological vulnerability. Through field-informed analysis, material studies, stakeholder observations, and design prototyping, this research proposes a hybrid prefabricated framework rooted in vernacular logic rather than imposed industrial standardization. The study demonstrates that cultural continuity, climatic intelligence, and scalability are not mutually exclusive when prefabrication evolves from local knowledge systems. Key Words: Vernacular Architecture, Prefabrication, Disaster-Resilient Housing, Cultural Authenticity, Timber Framing

Utilizing the Theory of Architectural Vernacularism by Amos Rapoport (1982), this research aims to analyze the architectural local elements of Jesus Catholic Church’s Sacred Heart in the village of Fohoeka, Regencu of Belu, East Nusa Tenggara. The objective of the study is to explore church architecture’s local elements (structure, symbol, form, orientation, material) that manifest the local community’s spiritual and cultural values. The methodology of the research applies a qualitative-descriptive method encompassing document analysis, documentation, observation, and interviews. The findings uncover four cultural values major elements of Tetun or Belu community in accordance with Vernacular Architecture Theory by Amos Rapoport (1982): (1) local natural stone used in the wall structure symbolizing nature sacredness and faith strength manifested in the ritual construction tradition; (2) symbolizing communal and divine protection, roof shape that is semicircular adopted from lopo traditional house inverted roof; (3) local wood application for the interior respecting Tetun cosmology sacred materials; (4) six pillars in ornaments Tais woven fabric incorporating church structural strength with communal responsibility. In general, these findings are in line with Bhabha's (1994) concept of cultural hybridity, in which cultural identity is not understood as a static and exclusive entity, but rather as the result of a process of negotiation and dialogue between cultures that produces new forms that do not lose their authenticity.

This study investigates the capacity of text-to-image (T2I) artificial intelligence models to reproduce the morphological characteristics of vernacular architecture across culturally distinct contexts. Focusing on Turkey, Japan, and Mexico, a comparative framework is developed based on a standardized prompt system and a visual morphological analysis matrix. The study integrates expert evaluation with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess form typology, material articulation, roof configuration, spatial organization, openings, and symmetry. Results reveal that while contemporary T2I models can successfully approximate dominant formal and material cues, they often simplify deeper spatial and cultural logics embedded in vernacular traditions. Among the evaluated platforms, Leonardo.Ai demonstrates the highest level of morphological fidelity, followed by DALL·E 3, while other models show increasing reliance on stylistic generalization. The findings position generative AI as a selective mediator of architectural knowledge and propose a replicable framework for evaluating cultural fidelity in AI-generated design outputs.

Indoor air temperature is a key parameter defined by ASHRAE Standard 55 for assessing thermal comfort. Numerous studies have examined thermal comfort conditions in vernacular architecture across different climatic regions. In particular, Dr. Hom Bahadur Rijal and Dr. Sushil Bajracharya, frontiers researchers in this subject have investigated the thermal comfort characteristics of vernacular buildings in high-altitude settlements and Kathmandu valley respectively. This study focuses on the thermal observations of vernacular dwellings in Gurjakhani, Myagdi, Nepal, situated at an elevation of 2638 meters above sea level. The region experiences cool summers, cold winters and occasional snowfall. The local buildings are primarily constructed with stone masonry bonded with mud mortar, while internal partitions are composed of timber planks. The flooring system consists of timber framing with mud overlay, and roofing materials typically comprise stone slates. The houses vary in height from one to three stories. Field measurements of indoor air temperature and surface temperatures within a designated room were conducted using available electronic sensors. Supplementary meteorological data were obtained from online sources to calculate the operative indoor air temperature. The CEB thermal comfort tool was used for thermal comfort analysis. Findings from the one-week field investigation conducted in October indicate that the indoor environment remains cold relative to the calculated operative temperature, yet demonstrated greater thermal satisfaction compared to the outdoor environment.

Traditional Nepalese rest houses, locally known as patis or sattals, are vernacular structures that have served as communal shelters and social spaces for centuries which can also be used during the earthquake. These buildings typically exhibit a hybrid structural system, with timber frames along one grid and masonry load-bearing walls along another, constructed using regionally available materials and indigenous craftsmanship. This configuration often leads to eccentricity in both mass and stiffness, significantly influencing the building’s global seismic response and torsional behavior. This study investigates the load-resisting behavior of a typical Nepalese rest house, with particular emphasis on the traditional Nepali timber joints. A representative structural model was developed based on field documentation and literature, capturing key geometric and material characteristics. Numerical analysis was conducted to evaluate the structural response under gravity and lateral loads, simulating seismic actions. Special focus was given to the behavior of traditional timber joints, which are commonly constructed without nails or adhesives, relying instead on intricate interlocking geometries. A macro-modeling approach was adopted for masonry walls, while timber joints were studied at both macro and micro levels using the finite element method along with interaction properties. The results provide insights into the interaction between timber framing and masonry walls, highlighting the strengths and vulnerabilities of this traditional construction system. The findings contribute to the understanding of Nepalese vernacular architecture and offer a basis for its preservation, retrofitting, and informed adaptation in contemporary practice.

ABSTRACT By tracing the historical activities of the Japan-China Society of Architecture and Building Technology (JCSABT, 1973–2003), which was established in Japan in 1973, this study firstly provides an overview of the friendly exchange groups visiting China from Japan over a 30-year period. Drawing upon a systematic review of Nichi-Chu Kenchiku [Japan – China Architecture], the official journal of JCSABT, this study delineates the evolving professional concerns and focal themes of Japanese architects engaged in China. The focus gradually shifted from early concerns with the construction of socialist China to an interest in cultural heritage, particularly Chinese vernacular architecture, and later to friendly visits and international exchanges. These shifts reflect the dynamic interplay between political context, architectural evolution, and cultural exchange. The study concludes that beneath the surface of “friendly diplomacy,” China and Japan each pursued distinct agendas. China seeks to learn advanced techniques from Japan, while Japan, faced with pressing issues such as widening urban-rural disparities and environmental crises, endeavours to learn from China’s urban and rural development models. Above all,“architectural diplomacy” played a crucial role in fostering Sino – Japanese friendship. The interplay among state power, architecture, and socioeconomic forces collectively contributed to strengthening bilateral relations in Cold War era.

This study examines how traditional Saudi vernacular architecture can be strategically integrated into contemporary urban development as a culturally grounded and sustainability-oriented design approach, rather than as a symbolic or esthetic reference. While heritage-led urban projects are increasingly promoted within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda, the existing scholarship has insufficiently addressed how vernacular architectural principles operate as socio-cultural systems within modern urban frameworks. Drawing on theories of vernacular architecture, adaptive reuse, and culturally responsive urbanism, this study conceptualizes “integration” as the functional, spatial, and social re-embedding of traditional architectural logic within contemporary planning processes. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the study integrates comparative case study analysis with primary data from expert interviews and structured survey questionnaires administered to residents and visitors. Secondary demographic and policy documentation were analyzed to contextualize the case studies and support triangulation of findings. The findings demonstrate that projects that meaningfully integrate vernacular principles, such as climate-responsive construction, spatial hierarchy, and material authenticity, contribute to strengthened cultural identity, enhanced environmental performance, and increased public acceptance of urban transformation. The study further reveals that modernization does not inherently conflict with heritage preservation when guided by context-specific policy frameworks and community engagement mechanisms. By explicitly linking vernacular architecture to sustainability, socio-cultural continuity, and urban governance, this research offers an original contribution to heritage and urban studies. It provides evidence-based insights for policymakers, planners, and designers seeking to balance rapid urban growth with the preservation of cultural identity in Saudi cities and comparable contexts.

Kampung Pulau Belimbing is a traditional village in Limo Koto that is currently included in the administrative area of the Kampar Regency. One of the uniqueness is depicted in the Uma Kabuong Limo building which is found in various forms. One of the exclusive varieties is Uma Kabuong Limo with a multi-storey roof type. The development of this type was influenced by Malay architecture in Malaysia because the owner of this house worked for a long time in the country Malaysia. This study aims to document the vernacular architectural typology of the Uma Kabuong Limo multi-storey roof type. This research approach is descriptive and qualitative with a combination of synchronic analysis and diachronic reading. Modeling and simulation research reproducing reality through substitute media. Furthermore, the data obtained through observation and interviews are used for model creation as a simulation tool. The creation of this model is through a heritage building information modeling (HBIM) approach. HBIM is a process of informing in the form of simulations similar to cultural heritage buildings to facilitate decision-making in the management of cultural heritage buildings. In this study, a study of the architectural typology of Uma Kabuong Limo's multi-storey roofs was obtained. This building has a multi-storey roof development called a paranginan roof. The existence of carvings, the manufacture of fine buildings, and selected wood materials indicate the high social and economic status of the owner in the people of Kampung Pulau Belimbing.

The vernacular mud-brick architectures of the Western Sahel region attest to a long history of exchange between indigenous African and Islamic building traditions driven by Trans-Saharan trade. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, French colonial occupation forced the homogenisation of these architectures into an aesthetic style known as “Sudanese” and its modern manifestation, “Neo-Sudanese,” to further colonial rule both on African soil and abroad. Postmodern iterations of this architectural tradition have taken form in the postcolonial African landscape, which prompts an interrogation of postmodernism’s ability to truly transcend colonialism, modernism, or the colonial modern, and to live up to the monumental rupture it had envisioned. This essay highlights the limitations of these postmodern architectures in postcolonial Mali, particularly along the axis of architectural style.

Vernacular wood architecture in Puntarenas Costa Rica: Shape of cross-section and dimensions of boards, wood species, lesions and causative fungi

Abstract This study examines placemaking as a form of living heritage preservation within the vernacular architectural context of Tumbu Village, Karangasem, Bali. Employing a qualitative exploratory approach and case study method, the research demonstrates how the local community shapes space through customary values, Hindu-Balinese spirituality, and adaptation to contemporary needs. Core principles such as the Tri Mandala zoning system, the use of local materials, and participatory practices like a tegen, serve as the foundation for creating spaces that are both functional and imbued with spiritual and social significance. Customary documents ( awig-awig ) and historical inscriptions reveal that these spatial practices have been sustained across generations through deeply embedded socio-cultural structures. The findings indicate that placemaking in Tumbu Village is a dynamic process rooted in local wisdom, participatory governance, and contextual adaptation, offering an alternative model for preserving traditional spaces in the face of modern challenges.