Indigenous knowledge refers to the understandings, skills, and philosophies weaving together centuries of wisdom, tradition, and sustainable practices developed by societies from interaction with their natural surroundings, passed down through generations. Because of the deep understanding of nature by indigenous communities over the years, many aspects of indigenous knowledge have been validated through scientific evidence. We mostly come across indigenous knowledge in the form of traditional medicine, agricultural practices, arts and craftsmanship, etc. Within this rich tapestry lies vernacular architecture- the architecture that embodies cultural heritage and local wisdom. Vernacular architecture, defined as the traditional, or indigenous architecture of a particular place or region, developed over time through trial and error than by professional architects. Since there are numerous trials and errors and refining of techniques involved, it can be observed that the vernacular style of a region is best suited to that region concerning its climate. For example, a major feature of the vernacular architecture of Kerala is sloping roofs designed to manage the heavy monsoon rains of the region. However, as people increasingly embraced modernism, they shifted to contemporary structures with straight lines and flat roofs. These flat roofs, in contrast to the traditional sloping ones, have proven to be prone to leakage issues after every rainy season. Thus, the indigenous architecture of a place reflects the relationship between native people and their surroundings and emphasizes sustainability, functionality, and beauty in architectural design.
How is Indigenous Architecture Sustainable?
Most of the indigenous communities live in regions that are biological and cultural hotspots. For thousands of years, these native populations have lived and made sustainable use of their environment. For instance, the use of locally available natural materials like wood, stone, and earth for building construction is a typical indigenous design approach. Apart from being aesthetic, they are also eco-friendly, since they take less energy to produce and are biodegradable. However, it is not just the use of locally sourced materials that makes indigenous architecture sustainable. There are several other aspects to it, which are listed as follows.
Environment- friendly
As traditional custodians of their land, indigenous communities possess a profound understanding of their ecosystems. As a result of this, they know where to collect the best building materials from, with minimal or no damage to their nature. Natural materials like stone, straw, wood, and earth which are locally available are used, reducing the need for transportation (energy efficient) and minimizing the environmental impact; subsequently resulting in a lower environmental footprint.
Climate responsive
One of the reasons that vernacular architecture is the best-suited style of architecture of a region is because of its climate adaptation. Since people know the climate they live in, their designs are responsive to the same. For example, buildings in hot regions feature thick walls for insulation and very less openings to the outside. Spaces like internal courtyards are present for natural ventilation and regulating the internal temperature.
Cultural and Heritage
Architecture, especially vernacular architecture, within its form and spatial configuration, carries cultural information from their time. It reflects and preserves the cultural practices, and heritage, fostering community cohesion. It promotes sustainability by valuing local knowledge and traditions. Before the collapse of cultural limits in the 20th century, architectural designs inherently reflected unique local characteristics influenced by materials, surroundings, and the cultural identity of the people in those regions.
Community cohesion
In many regions, the construction of a vernacular building involves the collective effort of community members. This collaborative process of building strengthens social bonds, encouraging cooperation and unity of the community as a whole. Also, since indigenous architecture relies on local materials and skills, it creates interdependence and promotes community ties, fostering connections among artisans, builders, and residents. Vernacular architecture provides a community with a shared identity. Members of the community benefit from a sense of pride and belonging. At its heart, indigenous architecture is designed to give great importance to communal spaces, thereby encouraging communal activities and a sense of togetherness. The image below shows the people of Mali plastering the Grand Mosque of Djenné- a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, they come together to plaster the mosque which is built completely out of earth. The mud walls keep the mosque cool on even the hottest of days.
Adaptation into modern architecture
With high technological advancements and higher demands, modern architecture has progressively distanced itself from indigenous practices. In terms of material usage, consumption, and damage to the planet, modern architecture has done more than enough. The current environmental crisis has reignited architects’ interest in indigenous traditions. The urgent need for reliable and sustainable architecture has prompted numerous architects to delve into environment-friendly building methods, urging them to look back and learn from the indigenous way of building. Slowly, vernacular and indigenous ways are becoming the base of reimagining architecture. They guide how spaces are arranged, materials are chosen, and buildings are constructed. This blending of old and new methods can make buildings more environment-friendly. Architects utilizing these traditional methods not only make buildings that fit better into their context but also minimize the ecological impact. Additionally, working closely with indigenous communities leads to projects that focus on community participation, respecting their culture, and creating sustainable progress.
When technology and innovation merge with ancient knowledge and traditions, the result is often remarkable. One such example is of the Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari. Her flood-resilient design of huts in the rural villages of Pakistan has been known to utilize vernacular building methods and materials drawing from ‘ancient wisdom and techniques’. The one-room huts are built from locally sourced earth, lime render, and bamboo, and are built by the women of the village. They are then customised by the residents adding their motifs.
Similarly, another example is the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl’s School in Rajasthan, designed by Diana Kellogg Architects. There are several vernacular features adapted in the design of the school- it was built of local sandstone by local craftsmen, incorporation of natural cooling techniques into the design in response to the extreme heat of the region, the adaptation of traditional elements like jali screens to facilitate wind flow as well as for privacy, rainwater harvesting using indigenous techniques, etc, are a few.
These techniques are not only adapted by small-scale projects but also by skyscrapers and even on an urban level. Many modern urban planners have taken ideas from ancient city-planning techniques. Moreover, community-inclusive planning is also being done globally, which ensures the involvement of the people who it is designed for in the design process. Skyscrapers and large building complexes too are pushed to include sustainable features in their design, often inspired by indigenous practices. Certification systems like LEED help people to understand the measure of sustainability of modern buildings.
Conserving the Ancient Wisdom
The revival of indigenous wisdom in modern architecture underscores the significance of conserving our age-old practices and emphasizes the need to honor and protect indigenous knowledge. There are several architectural practices and institutes like the Auroville Earth Institute (Pondicherry, India) and CRAterre (France) that study and research the combination of vernacular building practices and modern technology. Indigenous communities can use technology as a means to assert their self-governance and celebrate their distinct cultural heritages. It is vital to recognize the value of resilience and tradition in architecture and continue to promote meaningful engagement with indigenous cultures and communities.
It is crucial to observe, identify, learn, and preach indigenous knowledge and support indigenous architects in their work. There are already available resources for this like the UIA Indigenous Peoples Work Programme (www.uia-architectes.org). As we progress, safeguarding and embracing indigenous practices not only offer eco-friendly solutions but also serve as guardians of cultural identity, empowering communities and nurturing a built environment deeply rooted in tradition, sustainability, and resilience
References:
Burca, J. D. (2023, August 14). Indigenous Architecture. Retrieved 11 29, 2023, from Constructive Voices: https://constructive-voices.com/resilience-and-tradition-exploring-the-significance-of-indigenous-architecture-in-modern-contexts/
Florian, M.-C. (2023, August 09). Exploring Indigenous Wisdom: A Journey through Architecture Rooted in Tradition and Community. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from ArchDaily: https://www.archdaily.com/1005213/exploring-indigenous-wisdom-a-journey-through-architecture-rooted-in-tradition-and-community#:~:text=As%20traditional%20custodians%20of%20the,the%20people%20and%20their%20environments
Frearson, A. (2023, November 16). Designing for Disaster. Retrieved November 30, 2023, from Dezeen: https://www.dezeen.com/2023/11/16/yasmeen-lari-one-million-flood-resilient-pakistan-homes-designing-for-disaster/
Gattupalli, A. (2023, February 12). Pioneering the Revival of Earth Architecture: Egypt, France and India. Retrieved November 28, 2023, from ArchDaily: https://www.archdaily.com/992851/pioneering-the-revival-of-earth-architecture-egypt-france-and-india
Mistry, J. (2009). Indigenous Knowledges. In N. T. Rob Kitchin, International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (pp. Pages 371- 376). Amsterdam: Elsevier. Retrieved 11 29, 2023, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780080449104001012
N.A. (2022, January 06). Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS). Retrieved November 29, 2023, from UNESCO: https://en.unesco.org/links
Images
- A traditional Kerala residence at Palakkad)_ © www.makeheritagefun.com
- Traditional houses in the central region of Saudi Arabia with very less windows and openings_© Saudi Gazette
- People plastering the Great Mosque of Djenne_© Ralf Steinberger via Flickr
- Flood resilient huts in Pakistan_© Heritage Foundation of Pakistan
- Internal courtyard of the Rajkumari Ratnavati School, Rajasthan_ © Vinay Panjwani
