Atlas Of Vernacular Architecture Of The World Pdf 12

Atlas of Vernacular Architecture of the World: A Review

Vernacular architecture is the architecture that is shaped by the local culture, climate, materials, and traditions of a specific place. It reflects the diversity and ingenuity of human creativity and adaptation to different environments and contexts. Vernacular architecture is often contrasted with academic or professional architecture, which is influenced by global trends, styles, and standards.

One of the most comprehensive and authoritative works on vernacular architecture is the Atlas of Vernacular Architecture of the World, published by Routledge in 2007. The atlas is a companion volume to the Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World, edited by Paul Oliver and published by Cambridge University Press in 1997. The atlas, co-authored by Marcel Vellinga, Paul Oliver, and Alexander Bridge, aims to illustrate the variety and distribution of vernacular building traditions across the world, using over sixty world and regional maps. The atlas covers various aspects of vernacular architecture, such as materials and resources, structural systems and technologies, forms and plans, services and functions, symbolism and decoration, and development and sustainability.

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The atlas is divided into two parts: contexts and cultural and material aspects. The first part provides an overview of the geographical, historical, cultural, and environmental factors that shape vernacular architecture. It includes maps of nations, topography, water, climate, vegetation, soils, economy, population, language, religion, and cultural areas. The second part focuses on the specific characteristics and features of vernacular architecture in different regions and cultures. It includes maps of materials and resources (such as earth, timber, bamboo, fired brick, etc.), structural systems and technologies (such as tents, underground architecture, stone construction, walling, roofing, etc.), forms and plans (such as primary forms, roof forms, circular plans, courtyard plans, multi-storey buildings, etc.), services and functions (such as sweat baths, open hearths, chimneys, ventilation and cooling systems, granaries, barns, mills, etc.), symbolism and decoration (such as exterior mural painting, motifs, roof finials, botanical metaphor), and development and sustainability (such as population growth, urbanisation, squatter settlements, deforestation, earthquakes, open-air museums, World Heritage Sites).

The atlas is a valuable resource for anyone interested in vernacular architecture studies, as it reveals the distribution, diversity, and relationships of the world's vernacular building traditions. It also provides insights into the geographical patterns, developments, lacunae, and anomalies of vernacular architecture, stimulating new hypotheses, questions, and research efforts. The atlas is richly illustrated with colour photographs, drawings, diagrams, and tables that complement the maps. The atlas also includes an introduction that explains the concept and scope of vernacular architecture, a glossary that defines key terms, a bibliography that lists relevant sources, and an index that facilitates cross-referencing.

The Atlas of Vernacular Architecture of the World is a unique and unparalleled work that constitutes a major contribution to the field of vernacular architecture studies. It is highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the world's vernacular building traditions, their origins, evolution, diversity, and significance.

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