Differentiating site analysis from site planning

Many architecture students find it difficult to differentiate site analysis from site planning. Here we are sharing with you a figure to help  you better understand the stage during which the site analysis is conducted in an architectural design process. Also the key points to be considered while conducting a site analysis is also given.

Also check out this PPT link to know more about this.

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Tongkonan Indigenous Architecture

In today's post I'm sharing about a literature review done for a vernacular architecture in Indonesia. Here I've included a post presentation that compares the responsive and resilient features of the identified building.

Why Vernacular Architecture?
Vernacular Architecture is more challenging than any other field as it not only considers the technology associated with construction but also the local traditions and needs are answered in the most ingenuous and functional way.

An overview of Tongkonan

Tongkonan, is an indigenous house in the South Sulawesi island of Indonesia. The topography of Indonesia makes the place vulnerable to various hazardous situations such as flooding and earthquakes. The study area is in Indonesia, an archipelago, with a population of more than 230 million of which the majority of population depends on the local ecosystem's resources for survival. Tongkonan is a traditional house of Toraja District in Southern part of Sulawesi Island.

The climate of South Sulawesi is majorly classified as Af (Equatorial Climate - Rainforest) by the Köppen-Geiger system. The southern part of Sulawesi is characterised by humid tropical climate with constant temperature and the seasons are differentiated by the amount of rainfall received. The Tana Toroja regency covers an area of 3205km2 located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia and is located approximately 300-600m above sea level. The Torojan people are known for their culture and tradition. As their place was isolated for a long period of time by natural barriers they have practiced what they had inherent in them.

Resilient and responsive features in the case of Tongkonan

An architectural solution that facilitates the rational functioning of eco system is needed for the local people and built environment to be resilient and responsive during unexpected challenges and vulnerable scenarios. The characteristics of the built environment may be influenced by the environmental and cultural factors. Here an identification of the spatial and structural features is carried out to review their responsiveness to contextual climate and resilience during vulnerable scenarios. This helps in relative classification of resilience and responsiveness and also the to see the extend of its influence over the comfort parameters and structural stability.

iLeads - Integrated Learning Environment in an Architectural Design Studio and Interactive Media Design Lab (IMDL)

An initiative from team ids exclusively for architecture students. The program is to assess the performance of students in their academic design studio and interactive media design lab  for an integrated and holistic learning. We will be updating on the program and the iLeads leadership program in the upcoming posts.  This program is at its amateur level now; we are working as a team to improvise this program. A brief overview of the program and assessment criteria is given below.

Assignment Stage 
Exercise on specific tasks that are holistic in nature are given to students.

Participation and Involvement Program
iLeads Student Design Leadership Titles: Students are honoured with titles and tags for their performance and contribution which is considered as the two major categories. And the titles are given on the basis of the interdisciplinary nature of subjects.

Assessment modes

Credits‎ with feedback from expert panel

‎Participation and Involvement Program

Panel Review

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Vernacular SEA (South East Asia) - Major Elements and Technology

This post will give you an overview of the major elements and component considered in the study of vernacular architecture. Some of the parameters are listed below and the same are considered for reviewing indigenous responsive and resilient architectural features in the upcoming posts; (Review 1 - Tongkonan). 

Technology

• Materials - Use of locally available materials Well adapted to local environment
• Joining, pegging, wedging/binding and mortising most significant in roof construction
• The superstructure mainly consists of prefabricated screens attached to structural components.
• Post/Columns are used as load bearing components.

• Wall - Not a priority instead screens are used. Non load bearing walls
• Wood - Hardwood (Teak, Cengal) is used. Bamboo is also used for temporary buildings
• Roofing - Palm leaf and grass thatching
• Foundation - Raised platform. Varies across region; Some are built directly on ground. Low pile foundations are used in west Java. Raised floor is effectively used in Thailand.

Components/Region; Example.

Region	Component	Description		Example
Toba Batak Village - Indonesia	Roof	Saddle backed roof	Extended ridge and sloping gable	Toba House
North Sumatra - Indonesia	Roof (Batak Architecture)	Saddle backed roof	Different variations	Karo batak North Sumatra

 

Tana Toraja South Sulawesi, Indonesia	Foundation	Stand on high piles	Traditional Torajan ancestral houses.	Tongkonan
	Roof	Layered split bamboo	Curved arc shape. Tongkonan means ‘to sit’.	Tongkonan Layuk, Tongkonan pekamberan.

Proprofs; Vernacular Architecture Quiz

ProProfs - Vernacular Terms » ProProfs

Proprofs; Vernacular Architecture Quiz

Lets try this quiz below