Open AccessPalafitas & Tulous: a comparative analysis of the climatic response from the vernacular architecture of Fujian (China) and Amazonas (Brazil)
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
revista asia américa latina
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2524-9347
DOI - 10.33177/4.7
Subject(s) - vernacular architecture , china , architecture , geography , vernacular , poverty , scale (ratio) , environmental planning , civil engineering , environmental resource management , architectural engineering , economic growth , engineering , cartography , archaeology , environmental science , economics , linguistics , philosophy
This paper presents a comparative climatic analysisresponse of traditional dwellings in two locations: Northern Brazil(Amazon) and Southern China (Fujian). The study explores howpositive and negative aspects of traditional dwellings (Construction/materials use) need to be addressed at a larger scale, across diversecommunities, if it is to survive the tests of practicality, convenienceand environmental feasibility within our modernized and urbanizedworld. Vernacular architecture, despite its widespread acceptanceamongst academics, and increased interest by high socio-economiclayers of society, especially in the developed world, is in fact ona decline within local rural traditional communities. The three keyreasons for such decline are based on: high maintenance costs(especially labour), poor overall performance of traditional buildings,followed by associations of poverty with locally sourced materials.The need for better understanding of the needs and aspirations ofdiverse communities and their living conditions, can lead us towardsarchitectural solutions that are affordable, environmentally appropriate and engaging of traditional and contemporary approaches towardsbuildings. This particular study focuses on the analysis and responseof roofs, given its significance as a construction element that providesnot only shelter, but structural integrity for traditional dwellings.