The traditional architecture of Mexico

by: Mariana Yampolsky

Summary: this book contains the Mexico traditional architecture in which their rural dwelling
reflects the perfectly adapted to their environment. This incorporates the natural materials such as
palm for thatching, stone, adobe bricks and wood. Astonishing variety of form such as round,
square and rectangular. Eye catching facades, rooms are grouped around an inner courtyard.

Rural haciendas, were the backbone of rural Mexico. They were painted in vibrant colours to give
a different sound to their personality. These rural haciendas were a different kind of traditional
architecture in golden age. With time, gothic pointed arches, medieval battlements and Moorish
minarets were the part of Mexican landscape in nineteenth century. Luxuriant gardens, tiles from
England and statues from Paris completed the picture. Almost totally self-sufficient, haciendas
were the economic backbone of rural Mexico from Conquest to Revolution.

With the help of plans and historical illustrations, one traces the story of building at traditional
times and defines the architectural characteristics of traditional building from public to private to
rural to urban, Indian and colonial. Photographic representation by Mariana Yampolsky’s
showcases the summation of Mexican lifetime’s work.

This is one of those rare books that is both informed and inspirational. The result is also timely:
many trained architects are now incorporating natural materials into their buildings and drawing
inspiration from popular dwellings. Ironically, the Mexican countryside is itself experiencing a
shift towards "modern" materials and forms: these pages are the last record of centuries of tradition

Housing culture: traditional architecture in an English landscape:

By: Johnson, Mathew

Summary: this book introduces the western Suffolk and their housing tradition and social meaning
through various transformation from open houses to transitional, closed ones. How they were
divided by status, class and what was the key relationship between houses.
Book started with the study of old house, how they were built and why they were built. It discusses
the change in their style, form with time. How people feel about their built environment, according
to different status how they react in accordance with spaces. The study attempts to contribute to
English landscape and community history. Traditional houses of Suffolk, Cecil Hewitt has erected
the complex classification of joint forms used in timber framing. The dominant material of pre-
industrial Suffolk is wood and oak. The framing of building is best kind of Mecca no construction,
a rigid timber skeleton carefully jointed together with the joints held but ideally not supported by
timber pegs. Nails were rarely used until the later 17th century.

The book talks about the open houses which were famous in this region. But with time it
disappeared with Modern world. Then came the era of transitional houses, now most houses were
of the closed, three cell lobby entry form. Later on, there was a transformation in technical systems.
All of the above there was always typologies of houses in relation of class, status between the
houses. The illustration has been represented with the help of plans

Natural energy and vernacular architecture

By: Hassan Falthy

Summary: this book focuses on the principles and examples with reference to hot arid climates.
It describes the nature and architecture with relation to man. How climate has an effect on building
the shape and sound of architecture and its built environment.

There is a conscious approach in modifying the microclimate of the built environment and what
are the trends in the international architecture. The author argues that there are scientific concepts
behind the amalgamation of various architecture forms in the specific climate. These forms are the
combination of beauty, comfort, social and physical functionality. Sometimes individual ignores
the environmental context which were framed in traditional architecture. This results in the
uncomfortable architecture models in call for the modern structure.

With this, author describes about the thermodynamics of the building and human comfort in hot
climates. There is a talk about the amount of radiation, atmospheric pressure, thermal gain and
loss. There is a measurement of conditions of human comfort. Fathy’s approach is informed
throughout a sensitive humanism, demonstrates the ways in which the traditional architecture
forms can be of use in solving problem facing contemporary architecture.

There is an illustration of sun factor, orientation, shading and facades. There is an description of
venetian blind, a type of opening. Traditional elements are mentioned in the category of opening
such as the mashrabiya, and wind escape such as the malqaf.

Vernacular Architecture of Portugal: Regional variations

By: Ali Sayigh

Under: Innovative renewable energy

Summary: this paper aims at providing an overview of the regional differences in vernacular
architecture in portugal. It builds upon a major reference work: The National Survey on Regional
architecture, conducted during the 1950s—a document that should always be an inspiration to the
present and future generations.

This description shows two different geological and climatic regions in Portugal: the Atlantic ones
(based on granite) and the Mediterranean ones (based on clay). Furthermore, it shows the diverse
historical and cultural contexts (the Portuguese Celtic, Sueve Christian culture, and the
Romanesque and Moorish Portugal) and how its complexity impacted the settlements.

Minho is the one such example of Atlantic northwest, which has a temperate climate and cool
weather and high precipitation. the study illustarates the different kind of material used at various
villages such as Granite houses in Padrão’s village, and houses and pastoral shelters constructed
in corbelled dome structure at Gêmea’s summer village. Paper contains some example of hot arid
climate and how building can seek comfort through principles of vernacular.

The paper describes about the vernacular legacy which has been largely forgotten since the dawn
of the “mechanical era”. It is greatly associated with lack of living conditions, rural environment
as well as poverty whereas modern building techniques as symbol of greater value and efficiency.

Furthermore, rural villages across the country that have long been deserted due to migrations to
urban areas are now being re-occupied by families that chose eco- friendly, alternative, ways of
life. New concepts, such as biological agriculture, are slowly contributing to the revival of the rural
space, bringing about a new life to vernacular buildings. Contradicting centralization in mega
cities, this movement is a step towards global sustainability and greater quality of life.

Vernacular architecture is today slowly being perceived as a core reference for sustainable design
and an essential part of Portugal’s cultural heritage. In a world challenged by social conflicts,
global warming, and lack of harmony, vernacular stands as a beacon of hope and possibilities.
There are clear signs of a renewed interest in rural space and vernacular revival; let us hope that
this trend is here to stay.