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Sustainable vs. Vernacular Architecture

Sustainable architecture seeks to achieve thermal comfort and building functions without harming the environment by considering climate, site conditions, and daylighting. Vernacular architecture also takes these factors into account and is often sustainable as it uses locally available materials that can easily decompose. Vernacular architecture in Rajasthan features thick walls that delay heat transfer and circular shapes that reduce surface area, while using mud and cow dung that are degradable. Sustainable architecture learns from vernacular techniques but also uses new technologies to further improve comfort beyond what was possible traditionally.

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58 views1 page

Sustainable vs. Vernacular Architecture

Sustainable architecture seeks to achieve thermal comfort and building functions without harming the environment by considering climate, site conditions, and daylighting. Vernacular architecture also takes these factors into account and is often sustainable as it uses locally available materials that can easily decompose. Vernacular architecture in Rajasthan features thick walls that delay heat transfer and circular shapes that reduce surface area, while using mud and cow dung that are degradable. Sustainable architecture learns from vernacular techniques but also uses new technologies to further improve comfort beyond what was possible traditionally.

Uploaded by

pooja
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

What is sustainable architecture and how to compare it with vernacular

architecture?
Sustainable architecture seeks to achieve thermal comfort and other functions of a
building without compromising with the environment. Sustainability is least impacting on
environment, least economic resource consuming and also utilitarian in nature.
Sustainable architecture is based on climate study, site and surroundings, buildings form
and providing ample amount of day lighting required.

Vernacular architecture also considers these things as


it is a craft gradually passed down through generations
over a long period of time. Most of the vernacular
architecture is sustainable in nature, as it is based on
localized needs and construction materials are from that
area which are readily available and used with minimum
or no processing which makes it easy to decomposed. Source - [Link]

Talking about vernacular architecture in Rajasthan, walls


usually built is quite thick which increases the time lag
for heat to penetrate in. While nowadays most of
buildings built in Rajasthan also are built with galss
facades which makes it to attract a large amount of heat
and eventually they use a lot of air conditioning which is
not good for environment.
Source - [Link]
Also the buildings shapes are mostly circular in shape in vernacular architecture which
minimizes the surface to area volume ratio. Also mostly used material is mud with
cowdung which is again easily degradable also bears high resistivity for heat. A central
courtyard is also provided for stack effect cooling. And kitchen are generally made half
shaded to enhance ventilations.

Vernacular architecture changes from region to region and it should not be used at other
places, similarly sustainable architecture is also designed according to that particular
region.

The main difference between sustainable and vernacular architecture is new technologies
and construction techniques are used in sustainable architecture to further enhance the
limitations or comfort level in vernacular architecture.

-POOJA JHA

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