built to meet needs

[...]... through extensive travelling, drawing and photographing Attitudes to the subject have changed, but it is still thought valuable to be involved in it, even though the reasons for considering such work important in architectural education are not expressed It seems to me that it is necessary now to ask the question: ‘Why study vernacular architecture?’ BUILT TO MEET NEEDS This question invites another: ‘What... are not erected on a whim and are not intended to impress, but they help satisfy the pyscho-social, as well as the physical, needs of those that use them In compiling this collection of accounts drawn mainly from field projects that I have undertaken, I am not suggesting that the issues that arose and the needs that the structures were built to meet, are to any degree comprehensively covered; rather,... belief systems and symbolism, together with many other factors, contribute to the wide variety of built forms of different cultures They are reflected in the barns and byres, granaries and mills, stores and shops, chapels, mosques and temples among innumerable other types of buildings, which are constructed by communities to meet the specific needs of their respective ways of life In varying degrees... support, based on xxvii INTRODUCTION xxviii recognition of those aspects of the vernacular traditions that have evolved to meet the needs of the cultures that they represent Which raises the question, ’what are those needs? ’ I believe them to be implicit, as they are fundamental to the living of humankind The need for shelter from certain natural elements, especially when in periods of climatic extremes,... photographs were taken by the author and are copyright Paul Oliver, except in the instances listed below, copyright in their names: Photographs by the late Valerie Oliver: 6.6, 6.10, 6.11, 6.13, 7.6, 8.11, 10.4, 10.5, 10.7, 11.2, 11.3, 11.12, 16.3, 17.10, 17.11, courtesy Paul Oliver Photograph by Yasmin Cheema: 15.4 Photographs by Ian Davis: 14.5, 14.3 Photographs by Joseph Fortin: 3.5, 3.6 Photograph... statements made Reference is made in certain chapters, to resources, INTRODUCTION technologies and construction, and to forms, plans and functions However, the main purpose of the present collection is to consider the cultural factors that bear upon the subject Specifically, these relate to the study and understanding of vernacular traditions, and to aspects which reflect the motivations, means and methods... inspiration On the other hand, the vernacular owner-builders 5 BUILT TO MEET NEEDS 6 will dig and puddle their own clay, mix it with straw and dung, mould the walls, cut the poles, harvest and trim the straw, construct and thatch the roof – build in fact, their own houses We may seek to gain a little experience on site during training, but we do not expect to build every structure we design Both at the design... or have responded to them In view of the vast demands on housing, social buildings, and their servicing that will be made in the coming decades, they, and the students preparing to assume these roles, should be fully aware of the cultural factors that may affect their implementation In particular, they need to comprehend the potential of appropriately supporting vernacular traditions to ensure sustainable... populations of what may be overlooked as ‘minor’ disasters The significance of cultural factors such as economy, language and religion, to zones of seismic activity is mapped in one chapter, while xxv INTRODUCTION xxvi the long-term evaluation of post-disaster housing in Turkey and its failure to meet the cultural needs of the victim communities is presented in another A case study considers the impact... approaches to design (1990) 18.1 Plan of New Lebanon Shaker village, New York State 18.2 Proportions of Shaker buildings, New Lebanon 18.3 New Lebanon Meeting House, New York State 18.4 Section through New Lebanon Meeting House 18.5 Brick dwelling house, Church Family, Hancock, Massachusetts 18.6 Interior of Church Family building 18.7 Round Barn, Hancock, built 1826 18.8 Interior of the Round Barn 18.9 Built- in . class="bi x0 y0 w0 h1" alt="" Built to Meet Needs This page intentionally left blank Built to Meet Needs Cultural Issues in Vernacular Architecture Paul Oliver Amsterdam • Boston • Heidelberg • London • New. subsequently invited me to Costa Rica. To my co-author on another book, Richard Hayward I am indebted for my trip to Peru. In the United States, I gave papers at the Built Form and Culture Research meetings,. Kansas and Cincinnati, to whom I send my warm thanks. I am also grateful to viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Wayne Attoe, for invitations to speak at his conferences, and sim- ilarly to Simon Bronner in Pennsylvania.