Week 2 Discussion: Vernacular Designing and Sustainability Approach (Essay Sample)

Vernacular designing and sustainability approach
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Vernacular design elements and materials as per climatic adaptation
Green buildings are one of the best examples of the vernacular designs which made a very great consideration in the adaptation of the climate. Considering the example of beehive houses near Aleppo in Syria, this houses are well constructed in the perspective of the type of the climate of the region. The design depends on local materials and the adaptation of the climate. The dwellings are constructed of mud bricks with plastered walls of the small earth mound layer. Their hallowed and plastered nature allows them to insulate heat. During the day, hot air rises and it can escape from the conical top of the houses. Over the night, the houses can retain heat for the warm of the occupants of the dwellings. Having in mind that the Syrian region is made of high temperatures during the day and very low temperatures during the night then this type of design for houses makes it easy for the societies in such regions to live comfortably. Moreover, the dwellings heights are capable of providing shades over the day. The climatic conditions within the largest part of Syrian region don't allow the growth of the vegetation to provide shades. Therefore, these type of design of the dwellings can offer shades for the individuals living in the regions. Additionally, the Beehive houses are resistant to the strong winds experienced in Syria. The dwelling are heavy making them strong enough to prevail the strong winds periodically observed in Syrian Desert condition areas. This type of vernacular design and the materials used fit the bad climatic conditions found in the Syrian regions making it comfortable for the societies living in those regions.[(Kamal, K. S., Wahab, L. A., & Wahab, A. C. (2004). Climatic design of the traditional Malay house to meet the requirements of modern living. The 38th International Conference of Architectural Science Association ANZAScA, 175-179.)] [(Barnett, J. (2000). City Design: Modern, Traditional, Green and System Perspective. Traditional city design and modern city, 55-81.)]
Lessons on sustainability as from organic and traditional urban patterns and informal settlements
From the organic and traditional urban patterns, we can learn several aspects. To begin with is the compact development. For an urban to effectively grow, there should be a compact development to maintain the uniformity of the urban. Failure to this then it will be difficult for attain a justifiable growth of sustainable urban center. Another item which can be learned from the organic and the traditional patterns of urban cities is the aspect of the green housing in the adaptation of the climate. We identify that construction of the urban center buildings should be considerate of the type of climatic conditions in region. Thus, the houses should be built to meet such demands. It helps the urban regions sustain a responsible size of the population responsible for the development of the urban centers. For the sustainability of the cities also water management is a great factor which ...