Case Studies: Vernacular and Regional Architecture
The Nubuke Foundation | The Shatotto Architecture for Green Living | The Røst Town Hall in Røst | The Casa Koki in Mexico City | The Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch | VIPP Shelter
1. The Nubuke Foundation
-
The Nubuke Foundation is located in East Legon, Accra, Ghana and is surrounded by lush greenery and indigenous vegetation, creating a peaceful and harmonious environment.
-
The foundation was built using locally sourced materials such as bamboo, clay, and mud, reflecting a respect for the local vernacular architecture and its sustainable building practices.
-
The building is designed as a fusion of traditional and modern architectural styles, showcasing the cultural heritage of Ghana and incorporating contemporary design elements to create a unique architectural style.
-
The Nubuke Foundation serves as an art and cultural centre, providing space for exhibitions, performances, and cultural events. The building also includes administrative offices, a library, and multi-functional spaces for cultural activities.
-
The building was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating natural ventilation, shading, and cooling strategies to reduce energy consumption and promote a comfortable indoor environment. The use of local materials, traditional building techniques, and low-tech systems such as rainwater harvesting and composting toilets also reflect the foundation's commitment to sustainable development.
2. The Shatotto Architecture for Green Living
-
The Shatotto Architecture for Green Living is located in Bangladesh, a country known for its hot and humid climate.
-
The building incorporates the use of natural materials such as bamboo and clay, reflecting the local vernacular architecture and promoting sustainability.
-
The design concept for the building emphasizes a connection to the natural environment, incorporating green features such as green roofs and courtyards, and incorporating shading devices and passive cooling strategies to promote a comfortable indoor environment.
-
The building serves as a model for sustainable and energy-efficient living, demonstrating the potential for green architecture in Bangladesh and promoting environmentally responsible building practices.
-
The building incorporates a range of sustainable features, such as cross-ventilation, shading devices, rainwater harvesting, and the use of natural materials, to reduce energy consumption and promote a comfortable indoor environment.
3. The Røst Town Hall in Røst
-
The Røst Town Hall is located in the remote archipelago of Røst, Norway, surrounded by the rugged landscape and challenging climate of the region.
-
The building incorporates locally sourced materials, such as timber and stone, reflecting the traditional building techniques of the region and promoting sustainability.
-
The design concept for the building emphasizes a connection to the local context and culture, incorporating traditional building techniques and materials and creating a design that is both functional and respectful of the surrounding landscape.
-
The Røst Town Hall serves as a hub for the local community, providing a range of services and facilities, including administrative offices, meeting rooms, and a cultural centre.
-
The building was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating passive cooling strategies, such as natural ventilation, and using materials with low embodied energy to reduce the building's carbon footprint.
4. The Casa Koki in Mexico City
-
The Casa Koki is located in Mexico City, Mexico, a bustling metropolis with a challenging climate and limited green spaces.
-
The building incorporates a mix of traditional and modern materials, such as exposed concrete, glass, and locally sourced stone, creating a unique architectural style that reflects the context and culture of Mexico City.
-
The design concept for the building emphasizes flexibility and adaptability, incorporating a modular design that allows for changes in the internal configuration of the building over time to accommodate the changing needs of its occupants.
-
The Casa Koki serves as a family home, providing comfortable and flexible living spaces that can adapt to the changing needs of its occupants.
-
The building incorporates a range of sustainable features, such as cross-ventilation, shading devices, and the use of materials with low embodied energy, to reduce energy consumption and promote a comfortable indoor environment.
5. The Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch
-
The Cardboard Cathedral is located in Christchurch, New Zealand, a city that was heavily impacted by a series of earthquakes in the early 21st century.
-
The building is constructed primarily of cardboard tubing, a low-cost and sustainable building material that was chosen for its structural properties and resilience in the face of natural disasters.
-
The design concept for the building emphasizes simplicity, affordability, and adaptability, creating a structure that is easy to construct and can be adapted to changing needs over time.
-
The Cardboard Cathedral serves as a place of worship for the local community, providing a flexible and versatile space for religious gatherings and community events.
-
The building incorporates sustainable features, such as natural ventilation and low-cost and low-impact materials to reduce its environmental footprint and promote a comfortable indoor environment.
6. VIPP Shelter
-
The VIPP Shelter is a modular prefabricated cabin that can be installed in a variety of locations, from remote forests to urban backyards.
-
The VIPP Shelter is constructed primarily of fibreglass reinforced plastic, a durable and low-maintenance material that is well suited to its intended use as a flexible and adaptable living space.
-
The design concept for the VIPP Shelter emphasizes minimalism, functionality, and mobility, creating a compact and easily transportable living space that can be adapted to a variety of locations and uses.
-
The VIPP Shelter serves as a flexible and versatile living space, providing comfortable accommodation for a variety of purposes, from weekend getaways to long-term living.
-
The VIPP Shelter incorporates sustainable features, such as natural ventilation, and the use of materials with low embodied energy, to reduce its environmental impact and promote a comfortable indoor environment.
