Architecture systems

One of the outright benefits of being a voracious reader is getting asked questions and research help on architecture and history. I am always a bit too happy to read/talk on Architecture. It gives a fresh sense of belonging even when my design philosophy doesn't agree with the current practices and state of Architecture in India or other places. One, I am anti-glass. My visualisation of Architecture has been and will always be devoid of glass. It is disruptive to put in one word. It is distracting too. Not to forget the extra essentials glass buildings demand in hot climates. It is not a very viable or suitable material for tropical countries. Yet, our fixation with glass has overgrown over the years. Partly because of a blind imitation of western architecture? Perhaps. Also, partly because of the lack of visionaries who had a big say in channelising the architectural traditions in this country. Today when I look around and read about the glossy outcome of architecture that includes, primarily a want for avant-garde designing and a lost post-modernist outlook on design principles to shape a region, I feel disappointed. 

I have had my share of studying regional architecture and the benefits of traditional design systems like the Bhunga housing of the people in Kutchh, Gujarat or the Rathva & Bhilala Tribe houses. Of course, they have their limitations too. But based on their geological and geographical areas of interest, these designs prove to be stable structures in high seismic zones. The key idea is to understand that dwellings reciprocate to the surroundings and the climate rather than responding and depending solely on aesthetics. I have seen successful and beautiful executions of amalgamation of local design techniques and materials over many a different climate sensitive regions. 

Mauritania, a small country in western North Africa geographically lies in more than three-quarters of the Sahara Desert witnessing frequent sandstorms and a hot climate. Because of French colonization, its architecture has an influence of traditional French. Spanish and Asian building systems. An example of one of its climate-responsive architecture is of the Kaedi Regional Hospital built in the arid desert with hand-made bricks, fired in Kilns and used after an on-site experimentation of domes, vaults and arches to deviate from the established concrete-building techniques earlier employed in the region. The hospital has pod-shaped spaces and self-supporting arches that lead to winding corridors with ample air circulation and natural light thus eliminating need for extensive air conditioning or lighting mechanisms. The only area that has Air Conditioning is the OT. 

                        

All images Courtesy: http://www.akdn.org/architecture/

Such skilful use of vernacular architectural practices also helps in advocacy and promotion of sustainable and low-cost building techniques.This is a beautiful example of retaining local design principles and adding a new vocabulary to architecture practices over the world.

More such localised climate responsive techniques need to be promoted by the Architecture and Construction community. There is a dire need today to let go off our excessive obsession and penchant for glass, concrete and hazardous materials that in the long run affect the ecology and the dwellers we design for. As we speak of healthy cities, we must also voice our concerns for healthy buildings. When the world is fighting for Climate Change on all levels of ecological and environmental systems, our Architecture community must now focus more on providing sustainable solutions than creating iconic designs that may not stand the test of time in future. As land becomes scarce and natural resources deplete, our race against designing and sustaining structures that deal with extreme climatological changes will be put to test. It's not about the money or the mark any more, it is about survival of the fittest in the future.