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Aesthetics of Vernacular Architecture Comparative
Aesthetics of Vernacular Architecture Comparative
Aesthetics of Vernacular Architecture Comparative
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ABSTRACT: In this paper vernacular architecture is explored through the aspect of contemporary aesthetics. The research is
focused on the environmental aesthetics as the part of contemporary aesthetics. Recent development of this aesthetics’ field, which
considers environment, provide new possibilities to examine the vernacular architecture with the contemporary approach.
The question of context, as the basic parameter of vernacular architecture is considered. The comparative analysis of the elements of
the context is elaborated for chosen representatives of vernacular architecture. The intuitive approach to the process of design and
creation of the buildings of vernacular architecture evidently implement elements of context in a process of building generation as
well as in generation of the environment itself. In effort to follow these principles, vernacular architecture carries logic and harmony
in entity and details, evident aesthetic meaning and need for its expression. The research includes contemporary aesthetic
interpretation of the vernacular architecture context of particular region.
The subject of this research is a single-family house of vernacular architecture. Two regional types of Balkan traditional vernacular
architecture are chosen: Vojvodina and Ohrid traditional house. Elements of context and aesthetics characteristics have been
analyzed, both as a consequence of harmonious relation of the object and the environment.
Keywords: Vernacular architecture, Environmental aesthetics, Context, Traditional Ohrid house, Traditional house in Vojvodina,.
AESTHETICS – HISTORY OF AESTHETIC IDEAS nature and the beauty of objects intentionally produced
AND THEORIES by man, but doubts in division of aesthetic experiences in
Aesthetics as a discipline was originally part of comparison to these variants of beauty. The theme of this
philosophy and cosmology, primarily it was used to research deals with the relation of the objects made
create a holistic picture of the world. Throughout history, intentionally - objects of traditional architecture and
subject and tasks of aesthetics as a discipline have been naturally created context of the objects1 This relation
changing in different historical, cultural, religious and with its interactions forms unique environment whose
artistic discourses. There are many definitions of aesthetic components are considered through
aesthetics, in global sense: "Aesthetics as a philosophical interpretation of contemporary aesthetics.
discipline is multitude of philosophical theoretical both Aesthetic as a science that deals with consideration,
successful or unsuccessful attempts to establish determination and evaluation of the aesthetic qualities of
systematic and fragmentary discourses between open and natural objects and human (artistically expressive or non-
closed philosophical doctrines. The extraordinary focus expressive) acts has an important role and position in
on sensualism and sensually presented artistic, creating and valuating architectural act. This research
cultural or natural, which is always derived from does not deal with the evaluation of the architectural
cultural conditions of individual and collective relations object as a piece of art, but with the evaluation of the
of particular art, culture or nature is usually called environment that is created by architectural object in
aesthetics. " [14]. relation with its surroundings (natural and built
Traditional aesthetics studies fundamental aesthetic environment).
categories especially considering the question of artwork Different aesthetic concepts: pragmatic ones and
and its aesthetic experience as well as criteria of the idealistic ones define the relation between architecture
value and evaluation [6]. There are some aspects that and aesthetics. In the first concept exact parameters are
separate aesthetic qualities of the nature from those of art accepted as self-sufficient (symmetry, rhythm,
where the accent is on artistic or intentional proportion…) and they define architecture as aesthetic
expressiveness as their particular difference [6]. object, while in the other concept those exact parameters
Aesthetics is defined here as beauty of things made represent just tools of non aesthetic values through which
consciously [6] and that from the perspective of aesthetic
qualities of architecture provides concrete guideline for 1
The expression natural / developed context essentially
this research. Stanislaw Osowski [9] speaking of signifies natural and built surrounding (environment) of
aesthetics, as a subject clearly distinguishes the beauty of particular building.
PLEA2012 - 28th Conference, Opportunities, Limits & Needs Towards an environmentally responsible architecture Lima, Perú 7-9 November 2012
they achieve necessary sensual appearance of the ideas. research considers conceptual or cognitive point of view
Idealistic concept is an attempt to establish essential in environmental aesthetics.
values that belong to field of aesthetics, and that are Cognitive (conceptual or narrative) positions in
observed through philosophical, cultural, religious, environmental aesthetics consider the thought that
sociological aspect [4]. Thus this concept is crucial for knowledge and information about the nature of the object
the planned research. of appreciation is central to its aesthetic appreciation. In
Traditional aesthetics (ancient, medieval, renaissance, other words, aesthetic appreciation of nature could
baroque and classical interpretation of the aesthetics) is require knowledge of natural history — the knowledge
based on pragmatic aesthetic concept, while provided by the natural sciences or especially sciences
contemporary aesthetic interpretations are based on such as geology, biology, and ecology, etc. Several
idealistic concept. In last three decades of XX century an cognitive approaches emphasize different kinds of
immense reversal takes place in aesthetic theoretical information, claiming that appreciating nature may well
aspects, its studying is in fact theoretical basis of this involve experiencing it in light of various cultural and
research. historical traditions. The cognitive approach relevant for
this research focuses on exploring local and regional
characteristics of natural environment, human respond to
ENVIRONMENTAL AESTHETICS the climate conditions of the region, culture, folklore and
At the end of XX century an enormous reversal takes traditions which are approved either as complementary
place in aesthetic understandings that are for the most with or as alternative to scientific knowledge. Non-
part shown through enrolment of environmental cognitive in environmental aesthetics are not relevant for
aesthetics. “Environmental aesthetics is one of the major this research.
new areas of aesthetics to have emerged in the last part Conducting this research we want to analyze
of the twentieth century. It focuses on philosophical traditional architecture from the aspect of contemporary
issues concerning appreciation of the world at large as it aesthetics. More precisely, aesthetic manifestations that
is constituted not simply by particular objects but also by have been created in relation to the objects of traditional
environments themselves. In this way environmental architecture and its environment. To establish relation
aesthetics goes beyond the appreciation of art to the between traditional and contemporary we search for
aesthetic appreciation of both natural and human operational elements in contemporary bioclimatic
environments.”[13] Theories about technology, machines architecture. Consequently, it was necessary to
and industrial aesthetics are very actual, and once again interpret objects of traditional vernacular architecture
aesthetics returns to nature and glorifies ancient view that from aspect of contemporary, precisely environmental
emphasizes the importance of nature. Right here aesthetics as its part. The context, as a common
theoretical strongholds significant for this research are denominator for three considered fields of the research:
positioned. Aesthetics of XXI century, in the way nature bioclimatic architecture, vernacular architecture and
is treated, is closer to ancient theoretical aspects then to environmental aesthetics, stood out through conducted
the modernistic ones, despite the fact that on a theoretical research.
conceptual level they differ completely (pragmatic and
idealistic level).
When we speak of contemporary interpretation of BIOCLIMATIC/VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
environmental aesthetics we should underline that it does Bioclimatic architecture signifies architectural
not consider only the natural factors but the factors concept where building becomes an integral part of the
created as a consequence of human influences environment. It implies designing and constructing or
(sociological, cultural, economical). A new field of reconstructing of houses, where climate, conditions of
research is opened here which could in a special way the location, tradition, materials, context, resources,
consider contemporary interpretation of aesthetics of capacity, customs and conditions of the natural and
vernacular architecture, in fact that represents the starting developed environment of a certain region have been
point of this research. considered [16]. This is architecture sensitive to context
The contemporary positions in environmental [3]. The term bioclimatic architecture can be defined as
aesthetics were developed from different points of view overall programming–planning–designing architectural
concerning the aesthetic appreciation of the natural and approach to comprehend urban and architectural pieces
generated environment. These positions in environmental as organisms of multiple correlation to its environment,
aesthetics are divided into two main viewpoints: based on scientific research of natural and developed
cognitive and non-cognitive [1], conceptual and non- characteristics of every concrete place and its influence
conceptual [5], or narrative and ambient [2]. Within on man and his activity [10].
these main viewpoints several distinct positions have Vernacular architecture as a term has numerous
been developed. It is important to emphasize that this interpretations. In the most general sense, it implies
methods of constructing where locally available
PLEA2012 - 28th Conference, Opportunities, Limits & Needs Towards an environmentally responsible architecture Lima, Perú 7-9 November 2012
materials and traditional experiences are used. Bernard NATURAL CONDITIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT:
Rudolfsky (1987) [12] names it: architecture without an - Climate
architect or architecture without pedigree. Regarding the - Soil
generic naming he uses terms vernacular, anonymous, - Topography
spontaneous, indigenous and rural, depending on a case. - Vegetation
Therefore it is anonymous architecture - architecture of - Water surface
nameless architect (Amos Raport, 1969) [11] and it
comes from culture and tradition of specific community DEVELOPED CONDITIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT:
(Paul Oliver, 1997) [8]. As already mentioned, for this - Urban structure
research traditional, actually folk architecture of the - Street grid
chosen region has been analyzed. The chosen examples - Parcel
may be named examples of vernacular architecture of the
region. Phenomenon context interpreted in this way, can be
Darko Radovic2 emphasizes the attitude that mainly identified with Shulc’s theory of tradition of the
bioclimatic architecture is, comparing to natural place, where he considers spiritual aspect of the place or
environment and to integration into its flows and genius loci. “The spirit of the place is an expression of
rhythms, very close to principles of the vernacular traditional folk spirit, actually it is the result of
architecture [10]. The vernacular architecture of the everything that has been stored throughout time and
chosen region has been confirmed here as a logical sublimed through its authentic expression. (…) Folk
choice for polygon’s research. Researches as well as architecture interacts profoundly with the ambient.” [7]
theoretical assessments are numerous and they confirm Context or according to Shulc the genius loci, is the
that vernacular architecture follows certain principles of expression of natural characteristics of the location and
bioclimatic architecture. In this sense, vernacular in that manner it is unique. Combination of climate,
architecture as the essential case of this study might be geographical and other circumstances of every place is
defined also as bioclimatic architecture. similar to a fingerprint - there are similar situations but
they are never the same [10]. That gives an exceptional
individuality to any context, which if it is respected,
CONTEXT AS A BASIC PARAMETER FOR BOTH results into architecture of outstanding regional
BIOCLIMATIC AND VERNACULAR characteristics. Master-builders of traditional architecture
ARCHITECTURE throughout history have created remarcable architectural
The importance of the context as a starting pieces that confirm that logic.
component of bioclimatic architecture could be
recognized in the examples of vernacular architecture.
The objects of vernacular architecture are directly REGIONAL VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
conditioned by the context in which they originate (both In this chapter elements of context (natural/
natural and man-made: the sociological, cultural, etc.). developed) and their aesthetic manifestations are
Regarding that, the context is their essential component, analyzed as a consequence of harmonious relation of the
which is the main point in this research. chosen objects and their environment (natural/built). Two
The term context signifies assemblage of regional types of Balkan vernacular architecture are
circumstances where concrete object exists including chosen: Vojvodina and Ohrid traditional house.
social and natural environment. Starting from theoretic Vojvodina traditional house can be characterised as
attitude of Cristian Norberg Shulc concrete place is a type of house in plain earth topography. Vojvodina has
product of interactions of natural and social factors that continental climate. The average temperature amplitude
influence it [7]. Interpretations that represent this idea are winter/summer is over 40ºC. The house is constructed of
numerous. The aspect of dialectical materialism one main building material: earth or clay, which
considers the relation between man and nature, insisting responses very well on these climate conditions. The soil
on the idea that nature cannot be separated from man. is composed of loess deposits which is very suitable for
These interpretations succinctly illustrate the idea of intensive agriculture, which is the main occupation of the
human habitation as a syntheses of natural and social population in Vojvodina. This directly influenced the
factors. Concerning that, components that constitute developing of the house and its surrounding.
context may be divided into: Considering the topography, the terrain is flat. The
height elevation is around 80 meters above the sea. Vast
plains dominates and causes the building to lay on the
ground. Houses are always with only one floor which
2
Darko Radovic received his doctorate in Architecture and was more practical for the every day life activities. From
Urbanism from the University of Belgrade. He did various the aesthetics point of view houses and all settlements are
researches in the field of Vernacular architecture, sustainability,
environment, urban and architectural design.
PLEA2012 - 28th Conference, Opportunities, Limits & Needs Towards an environmentally responsible architecture Lima, Perú 7-9 November 2012
laid down on the ground making the impression of Table 1: Parallel overview of characteristics of the elements of
fleetness even stronger. the context of considered regional types.
Vegetation in this region is usually represented
through deciduous trees positioned in precise lines
parallel with the street.
Vojvodina settlements were mainly developed to
have the water near the surface, but there is no unique
regulation, so each situation is different.
Urban structure can be characterised as orthogonal
geometrical structure. These settlements have being
formed as planned settlements dating from the XVIII
century. Most of the settlements were built in the process
of artificial colonisation and urbanisation implemented
by the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. All the settlements
had very strict plane which was implemented. The
streets, average wide from 25 to 40m. are interconnected
in the correct geometrical patterns. Basically urban
structure does not correspond with natural environment,
it is completely artificial. Subdivision was set up without
dimensional limitations, in strict geometrical grid, each
parcel wide from 20 to 40m. and long from 120 to 150
m. long. The site disposition of the building is artificially
imposed and it’s not always favourable with the natural
conditions of the environment.
Used materials are compact earth or bricks. Various
types have been developed but basic type of house has
three rooms in a row and in later period continues to
develop longitudinal always in strict geometrical shape.
Although emerged in the strict architectural and urban
regulations houses strive to adjust to the conditions of
environment both natural and generated.
Ohrid traditional house can be characterised as a
combination of a type of house typical for a mountain
and a lake region. Ohrid region has Mediterranean -
continental climate. In other words: moderately warm
rainy climate. The house is constructed of two main
building materials: stone and wood in two constructive
systems: massive (lower part – winter apartment) and
bondruk (upper parts of the house – summer apartment).
In that way the house responses in the best way on the
climate conditions during the all year around. This region
is relatively windy: during the day - south wind blows,
during the night - west. The average temperature
amplitude winter/summer is approximately 30ºC.
The soil is composed of rocks with sand in the bottom
of the hill and rock with earth in upper parts of the hill.
The town is located on a hill surrounded with the
mountains Galicica and Jablanica on the height elevation
from 693,50 to 794 m. The facilities are based on the
slope, the terrain has steep course. Objects oppose the
terrain and are positioned one under the other from the
top of the hill going down all the way till the lake bay. In
that way they are establishing a harmony with the terrain
and the lake. This characteristic, we are observing as an
aesthetic manifestation.
Even though in this way the houses form very dense
urban matrix, every house enjoys lots of sunshine, fresh
PLEA2012 - 28th Conference, Opportunities, Limits & Needs Towards an environmentally responsible architecture Lima, Perú 7-9 November 2012
air and a beautiful view. The lack of vegetation in the Table 2: Review of the aesthetic manifestations of primarily
immediate surroundings of the objects is a result of this considered elements.
dense urban matrix.
The town is positioned on the northern side of the
Ohrid Lake.3
Talking about artificial preconditions (human -
influenced and human - constructed environment) we
must mention that the urban structure of the town of
Ohrid is very thick and irregular. It is formed
spontaneously through the centuries. 4 Urban matrix
consists layers of different historical periods,
civilizations and building traditions. The street width is
from 2,4 m to 5 m. The streets can be described as
winding that follow the contours of the terrain. This
characteristic forms one kind of organic street pattern, or
seen widely as an organic urban matrix.
The house parcel is very small, narrow and
inaccessible. That is a result of the falling terrain and it
resulted in vertical superposition of the program content
of the house on 3 or 4 levels. Usually the object is partly
buried. Ohrid house can be described as vertical
silhouette emerging from the steep terrain. In that way
the flexibility and elasticity of the object allows
adaptations and modifications of the house. Main
orientation of the houses is south, southeast or southwest,
which can be determined as a harmonious relations
between the facility and the transit flow of wind and
solar radiation.