Search Results (78)

This paper investigates the cultural landscapes established by nineteenth-century German immigrants in South Australia and the southern Riverina of New South Wales, with particular attention to settlement patterns, architectural traditions and toponymic transformation. German immigration to Australia, though numerically modest compared to the Americas, significantly shaped local communities, especially due to religious cohesion among Lutheran migrants. These settlers established distinct, enduring rural enclaves characterized by linguistic, religious and architectural continuity. The paper examines three manifestations of these cultural landscapes. A rich toponymic landscape was created by imposing on natural landscape features and newly founded settlements the names of the communities from which the German settlers originated. It discusses the erosion of German toponyms under wartime nationalist pressures, the subsequent partial reinstatement and the implications for cultural memory. The study traces the second manifestation of a cultural landscapes in the form of nucleated villages such as Hahndorf, Bethanien and Lobethal, which often followed the Hufendorf or Straßendorf layout, integrating Silesian land-use principles into the Australian context. Intensification of land use through housing subdivisions in two communities as well as agricultural intensification through broad acre farming has led to the fragmentation (town) and obliteration (rural) of the uniquely German form of land use. The final focus is the material expression of cultural identity through architecture, particularly the use of traditional Fachwerk (half-timbered) construction and adaptations such as pug-and-pine walling suited to local materials and climate. The paper examines domestic forms, including the distinctive black kitchen, and highlights how environmental and functional adaptation reshaped German building traditions in the antipodes. Despite a conservation movement and despite considerable documentation research in the late twentieth century, the paper shows that most German rural structures remain unlisted and vulnerable. Heritage neglect, rural depopulation, economic rationalization, lack of commercial relevance and local government policy have accelerated the decline of many of these vernacular buildings. The study concludes by problematizing the sustainability of conserving German Australian rural heritage in the face of regulatory, economic and demographic pressures. With its layering of intangible (toponymic), structural (buildings) and land use (cadastral) features, the examination of the cultural landscape established by nineteenth-century German immigrants adds to the body of literature on immigrant communities, settler colonialism and landscape research. Full article

Adaptive reuse of Mediterranean earthen houses offers a unique opportunity to fuse heritage preservation with sustainable development. This study introduces a comprehensive, sustainability-driven framework that reimagines these vernacular structures as culturally rooted and socially inclusive assets for contemporary living. Moving beyond conventional restoration, the proposed framework integrates environmental, socio-cultural, and economic sustainability across six core dimensions: ecological performance and material conservation, respectful functional transformation, structural resilience, cultural continuity and community engagement, adaptive flexibility, and long-term economic viability. Four geographically and culturally diverse case studies—Alhambra in Spain, Ghadames in Libya, the UCCTEA Chamber of Architects Main Building in North Cyprus, and Sheikh Hilal Beehive Houses in Syria—serve as testbeds to examine how earthen heritage can be reactivated in sustainable and context-sensitive ways. Through qualitative analysis, including architectural surveys, visual documentation, and secondary data, the study identifies both embedded sustainable qualities and persistent barriers, such as structural fragility, regulatory constraints, and socio-economic disconnects. By synthesizing theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, the proposed framework offers a replicable model for policymakers, architects, and conservationists aiming to bridge tradition and innovation. This research highlights adaptive reuse as a practical and impactful strategy for extending the life of heritage buildings, enhancing environmental performance, and supporting community-centered cultural regeneration across the Mediterranean region. Full article

Typo-morphology, as interpreted by the Italian School of Planning, provides an approach to investigate the relationship between built form and socio-cultural patterns in vernacular settlements. This study examines Harran, a heritage site in southeastern Türkiye known for its distinctive conic domed dwellings, to explore how typo-morphological analysis can inform culturally sensitive design and adaptive reuse approaches. Despite its historical significance and inclusion in the UNESCO tentative list, Harran faces insufficient documentation, fragmented governance, limited conservation, and increasing pressure from urbanization and natural disasters. Using multiple sources and fieldwork, the research reconstructs the morphological evolution of Harran through diachronic maps across compound, district, and town scales. Reflections from Alberobello, Italy, i.e., the sister city of Harran and a UNESCO-listed town with a similarly unique vernacular fabric, provide a comparative view to explore different heritage management approaches. Harran evolved through informal, culture-driven growth, whereas Alberobello followed a regulated path. While Alberobello benefits from planned development and institutional preservation, Harran faces partial abandonment and neglect. By positioning typo-morphology as a conceptual planning tool, this paper emphasizes the need for context-responsive, ethically grounded, and inclusive approaches to heritage planning and conservation. It argues for planning practices that are not only technically competent but also attuned to place-based knowledge, local identities, and the long-term sustainability of living heritage. Full article

In the vernacular architectural history of the Arabian Gulf region (the Gulf), the courtyard house is a common domestic typology. Islamic and sociological precepts regulate the design and the function of vernacular courtyard dwellings, resulting in homogeneity and harmony in the entire urban fabric of historic settlements. In this research endeavor, the aim is to investigate the degree to which the shaping of the spatial form in a sample of vernacular courtyard houses in the Gulf inscribes socio-cultural factors. It sheds light on visibility graph analysis, human behavior, and the system of activities in the domestic space. As a hypothesis, visibility and connectivity analysis could prove the existence of common spatial patterns among courtyards in the vernacular courtyard houses of the Gulf, attributing it to the similar socio-cultural context, the climatic effect, and the architectural and construction knowledge of the region. This study utilizes a collection of courtyard houses from the Gulf as a pilot study to investigate the emerging patterns in the spatial analysis and room layout, or in the distribution of activities or functions in the domestic space. It, therefore, offers a visual analysis (VGA) of six regional courtyard houses from each Gulf country that were built during the period 1850–1950. This study anticipates an affirmation of a direct inscription of socio-cultural factors in the spatial form of the courtyard house in the Gulf. Conclusively, a sustainable, organic linkage between architecture and society exists where the three criteria of housing spatial form, socio-cultural factors, and system of activities interact. Full article

Traditional residential architecture is more than a historical form; it is a repository of lived experiences, cultural identity, and socio-spatial organisation. However, scholarly understanding of its social life and spatial logic remains disjointed. This study aims to identify existing research gaps in the spatial configuration of historic houses by systematically reviewing the social life of residential architecture. Using the PRISMA framework, 534 peer-reviewed articles were retrieved through a rigorous screening process from the Scopus database. A combination of bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer term mapping and SankeyMATIC visualisations was employed to categorise thematic concentrations and reveal methodological and regional distributed trends. The findings identified ten dominant thematic clusters: sustainability, restoration and conservation, gender role, vernacular architecture, space syntax, semantic values, spatial characteristics, cultural studies, environmental psychology, and adaptive reuse. The strong quantitative presence in spatial metrics and qualitative dominance in cultural and gendered perspectives suggested a rich yet segmented field ripe for future mixed-method development. The findings expose pervasive research gaps in traditional residential architecture, from a lack of real-time empirical data and fragmented interdisciplinary knowledge to underutilised innovative methodologies and insufficient representation of diverse user groups, collectively highlighting the urgent need for integrated approaches to understand evolving socio-spatial dynamics. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive digital documentation and preservation effort for the Sellman Tenant House, a historic structure once part of the 18th-century Sellman Plantation in Maryland, USA. This research employs an array of digital technologies, including Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), digital photogrammetry, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), 3D virtual tours, and Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM), to document and analyze the construction techniques and historical evolution of the house. Given the absence of written records detailing its original construction, this study utilizes data from these digital documentation methods to explore the building’s structure and determine its construction timeline and methods. Additionally, this research investigates the potential of HBIM as an educational platform to enhance public understanding of heritage buildings by creating interactive and accessible digital models. The findings highlight the effectiveness of combining digital tools to decode vernacular construction and showcase the potential of HBIM in preserving and interpreting historic buildings for diverse audiences, especially for educational purposes. This research contributes to the growing field of digital heritage preservation by showcasing a case study of integrating multiple digital technologies to study, preserve, and promote understanding of a culturally significant yet understudied structure. Full article

Improving microclimate conditions is a pivotal aspect of urban design, particularly in hot, arid climates, where it directly influences outdoor comfort, mitigates the urban heat island (UHI) effect, and reduces the indoor cooling energy demand. The objective of this study is to quantitatively assess the impacts of neighborhoods’ urban size when combined with compact streets’ geometry regarding the outdoor thermal comfort generated in a typical vernacular settlement of the Saharan region of Algeria. The Ksar of Al-Atteuf in the city of Ghardaïa is taken as a case study. The related interior thermal conditions of buildings assumed to be potentially affected by the urban morphology are also examined. To study the effectiveness of the two urban morphology parameters (i.e., urban size and compactness) on outdoor and indoor thermal conditions, a mixed methods approach was adopted, integrating in situ climatic measurements and dynamic simulations. Indoor temperatures were examined in a traditional house located in the core of the Ksar. Year-round operative temperature (OT) simulations were achieved using the Ladybug tool within Grasshopper, and they were complemented by the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) values calculated during peak hot and cold weeks. Furthermore, a parametric analysis was conducted, focusing on the thermal performance of the compact urban fabric by varying progressively the neighborhood sizes from 20 m, 40 m, and 60 m. The results indicate stable indoor thermal conditions across the monitored residential building, which suggests that the architectural envelope is closely affected by its immediate surroundings. On the other hand, the UTCI analysis revealed significant differences in outdoor thermal comfort since the larger urban area provides better mitigation of heat stress in summer and cold stress in winter, the improved outdoor thermal conditions generated at the neighborhood level, being proportional to the size of the urban area. The findings underscore the value of compact urban fabrics in creating climate-responsive built environments and provide further insights into sustainable urban planning and energy-efficient design practices in hot, arid regions. Full article

The traditional Malay house is a significant component of the Malay cultural heritage and a key example of vernacular architecture. It is characterised by its outstanding design and the various styles across Malaysia. Traditional Malay houses experience deterioration and damage due to various threats, resulting in many houses being abandoned. A thorough structural evaluation is crucial for preserving the traditional Malay house. This research aimed to develop guidelines for the global structural evaluation of the Malay house. A case study approach was adopted in this research. Site visits, visual surveys, geometrical surveys, and dilapidation surveys were also employed. The research involved structural analysis using SAP2000. The results revealed the vulnerability of the houses to lateral forces, sliding, and differential settlement under scouring. The key structural members have adequate load-bearing capacity, which might be compromised under certain conditions, as in the case of deterioration. These results helped identify potential safety concerns and led to the development of guidelines for the global structural evaluation of Malay houses. The guidelines cover analysis inputs and modelling techniques in terms of material, geometry, joints, and foundations. They address load criteria and the impacts of flooding and scouring on the structural behaviour of the traditional Malay house. The guidelines, finally, recommend that structural checks be considered. This research contributes to traditional Malay house preservation by providing an evidence-based approach to designing preservation measures. Full article

Heritage is strengthened through proactive actions, known as preventive conservation, that are considered before earthquakes, rather than reactive actions addressed when the emergency situation occurs. Considering that there are several regions around the world with very active seismicity, conservation interventions should guarantee human safety and the improvement of the inhabitant’s living conditions while keeping alive the earthen fabric and adobe buildings, thus preserving the lives of the residents but also preserving cultural heritage in the face of earthquakes. The main aim of this paper is to define a comprehensive conservation procedure addressing the preventive conservation of vernacular adobe vaulted houses in Yazd, an Iranian World Heritage property, since 2017. The fundamental phases of this procedure, which this paper’s structure is based on, include introducing the case study and addressing the conservation objectives, the assessment of significance and value, the seismic criteria, the conservation strategies, seismic safety assessment, and decision-making on interventions. The comprehensive preventive conservation procedure presented in this paper was determined by relevant conservation criteria, which contributed to an adequate seismic-retrofitted intervention design. This conservation approach requires evaluation of the seismic performance and the buildings’ safety, through which the decision regarding intervention could be made. Accordingly, this research also dealt with the seismic safety assessment of an adobe building through numerical research work performed using the software HiStrA Ver.2022.1.6. Based on the numerical results, decisions on the need and on the extent of intervention techniques were addressed. In addition, a comparative study was performed on different seismic strengthening techniques available in the literature to define fundamental conservation criteria. In this way, there are more chances for human lives to be preserved if an earthquake occurs. Full article

Building optimisation techniques provide a rigorous framework for exploring new optimal design solutions. In this study, a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to investigate the energy efficiency of a vernacular architectural element (Rawshan) in Saudi Arabia. Two objectives were optimised using a GA simulation enhanced: energy consumption optimisation and useful daylight illuminance (UDI) optimisation. A calibrated simulation model of a typical house in Saudi Arabia was used in the study. Several metrics, such as light interference from shadows or other windows, were considered to indicate the importance of the Rawshan. Computational studies were performed using different climatic conditions, and the results were compared with and without a Rawshan element using the weather data of Mecca, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Al-Baha. In this study, the blind thicknesses on the front and sides of the Rawshan were used as optimisation variables. The results showed that using a GA with energy consumption as an objective can reduce energy consumption. One of the methods proposed in the paper can reduce energy consumption by 3.6%, 3.6%, and 16.6% for Mecca, Riyadh, and Al-Baha, respectively. The single-objective optimisation method demonstrated that Rawshan provided sufficient UDI in four cities: Mecca, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Al-Baha. The research provided optimised values for Rawshan blind thicknesses on the front and lateral sides under different optimisation constraints. The results showed that using Rawshans in modern building architecture can reduce energy consumption and improve useful daylight illuminance. Full article

There are still gaps in the legislation on the protection of rural areas in Turkey. Despite these gaps, rural settlements and the cultural heritage in these settlements are attracting attention with the increasing demand for places with high ecotourism potential, which has become more popular with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many rural areas, especially those with unused vernacular architectural elements, have been rehabilitated and made available for ecotourism use by local people and tourists. One such area is the (former) village of Beydilli in the Sütçüler district of Isparta province, Turkey. The people of the village have abandoned this area, which has a history of about 250 years, due to the lack of transport and other facilities, and only a few building owners visit the village for transhumance in the summer, but even these users use the houses as warehouses. In order to achieve this objective, the present study employed a range of methods, including on-site observation, laser measurement (surveying), utilisation of oral sources, texture analysis, typological comparison, and SWOT analysis. These methods were selected for their suitability for the protection of rural architecture in a context of ecotourism. In order to develop rural tourism in a manner that preserves the cultural heritage, a series of solution proposals have been developed under a number of different headings, including transportation, accessibility, the physical condition of buildings, socio-economic factors, and the tourism sector. In making decisions, consideration was given to the potential for ecotourism in the Sütçüler district, to which Beydili is connected. The principal objective of this research is to present the findings of the study, which focuses on cultural heritage and its conservation in order to ensure the sustainability of ecotourism planning in rural areas, with a specific case study of Beydilli Village in the Sütçüler District of Isparta. Furthermore, this study aims to highlight the significance of safeguarding cultural heritage, which constitutes a vital component of rural tourism in Turkey. Despite the existence of inadequate rural protection legislation, this study seeks to document the conservation status of Beydilli Village, which has not undergone any conservation work to date. Full article

Many regions of the world have traditional dwellings, which not only represent the main form of residential architecture, but also carry the local vernacular culture, display the region’s unique architectural style, materials and technology, and have important historical and cultural value. Due to environmental factors, traditional dwellings often suffer from architectural damage that threatens the stability of their structure and affects their esthetics value, resulting in a significant number of abandoned and demolished houses. In order to scientifically and effectively solve the damage problems of traditional dwellings, based on the theory of architectural pathology, the following diagnostic method for damage manifestation and the characteristics of traditional houses is proposed: “Architectural Pathology Appraisal–Pathological Environment Analysis–Mechanical Properties Testings”. The traditional dwellings in the ancient city of Guangfu were used as a case study for the practical application of the methodology for analyzing the main types and causes of the damage of the dwellings by examining the damage information of the dwellings, collecting the environmental data of the damaged walls, and testing the mechanical properties of the damaged walls. The results show that the main damage type in the ancient city dwellings of Guangfu is dampness damage, with corrosion deterioration, wall alkali flooding, and the moisture infiltration phenomenon as the manifested symptoms, and the damage is mainly concentrated in the lower part of the wall. In addition, the humidity and moisture content in the lower part of the wall is higher than that in the upper part of the wall, and the compressive strength of the damaged part of the wall is lower than that of the undamaged part. The humid environment of the old town contributed significantly to the destruction of the dwellings, and water intrusion led to a reduction in the strength of the dwellings’ bricks. Through the diagnostic method of building pathology, the causes of Guangfu dwellings’ damage are identified, and scientific and targeted damage intervention suggestions are made. This is expected to provide guidance for the treatment and prevention of building pathology in the ancient city of Guangfu and serve as a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of pathology in traditional dwellings in other areas. Full article

The renovation and revitalization of vernacular architecture are pivotal in sustainable rural development. In regions like Shangri-La, traditional structures not only safeguard cultural heritage but also provide a foundation for enhancing local communities’ living conditions. However, these villages face growing challenges, including infrastructure decay, cultural erosion, and inadequate adaptation to modern living standards. Addressing these issues requires innovative research approaches that combine heritage preservation with the integration of contemporary functionality. This study employs a research-by-design approach, focusing on the Shanpian House as a case study, to explore how pre-planning and post-evaluation methods can revitalize traditional vernacular architecture. The pre-planning phase utilizes field surveys and archival research to assess spatial, cultural, and environmental conditions, framing a design strategy informed by field theory. In doing so, it evaluates how traditional architectural elements can be preserved while introducing modern construction techniques that meet current living standards. The post-evaluation phase, conducted through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, assesses user satisfaction, focusing on the impact of architectural esthetics, structural stability, and material choices. Key findings from an OLS regression highlight the strong positive correlation between architectural style, structural choices, and cultural relevance with resident satisfaction. The research emphasizes that design elements such as structural details, materials, and infrastructure upgrades are critical in shaping perceptions of both functionality and cultural identity. Interestingly, the model reveals that improving architectural esthetics, alongside modern indoor features such as network connectivity, has a significant impact on enhancing overall resident satisfaction (significance level: 0.181). This study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable building renovation by demonstrating how traditional architecture can be thoughtfully adapted for contemporary use and also proposes a paradigm shift in the renovation of historic buildings, advocating for a balance between preservation and modernization. The application of sustainable materials, digital modeling, and innovative construction techniques further ensures that these traditional structures meet the demands of modern civilization while maintaining their cultural integrity. Full article

Bamboo, particularly Guadua Angustifolia cane, offers significant thermal benefits for construction in warm, humid climates and has been a key material in Ecuador for over 9500 years due to its low cost, versatility, and low thermal conductivity. In the coastal region, including the settlement of El Carmen, traditional architectural techniques have evolved to incorporate local materials like Guadua cane. A common method involves using crushed cane as wall cladding, where longitudinally split bamboo is applied, creating openings in the structure. These openings, often viewed as a construction defect, influence passive cooling systems. This study investigated the impact of these irregularities on indoor thermal comfort by documenting the construction systems and climatic conditions of the area. Computational models were reconstructed and tested through CFD simulations to assess thermal behavior. The findings highlight the thermal implications of the vernacular construction system, revealing how wall openings affect passive cooling strategies and overall indoor comfort in the housing typologies of El Carmen. Full article

Dominican vernacular architecture, based on the Spanish-influenced indigenous bohio, is built with natural materials. This housing model has remained practically unchanged for five centuries, responding adequately to the tropical Caribbean climate. However, it is necessary to characterize this behavior to verify the indoor comfort conditions of this housing typology. The aim of this research is to evaluate the behavior of a vernacular house located in Villa Sombrero, Peravia Province, Dominican Republic, using a simulation model. For this purpose, a bohio was selected, which has a simple rectangular volume. Simulations were carried out using Design Builder software, considering the passive strategies incorporated in the bohio. The results indicate that indoor ambient temperature remains within the comfort range throughout the annual cycle. It was confirmed that the highest solar gain through exterior windows occurs in the warmer months. Lighting consumption varies between approximately 195 kWh and 220 kWh, with a more stable behavior during the middle months of the year. CO₂ emissions followed the same behavior as lighting consumption since it was the only energized element in the bohio. This research demonstrated that passive strategies implemented in the vernacular dwelling work correctly, except for the minimum illuminance level, which needs to be improved. Full article