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

Building Materials

Let's talk about RUBBLE MASONRY

Rubble masonry is adopted when the soil is poor and soft.
Procedure,
1. First, a wide trench is made and the bottom is concreted.
2. In random rubble masonry, uneven and undressed stones of varying sizes are generally preferred for better stability . Rubble masonry is mainly used for the shallow foundation. It can also be extended to a wall. In some cases, it can also be a retaining wall.

The depth of the foundation generally depends on the load-bearing capacity of the soil. Depending upon the nature of soil various other techniques that can improve foundation stability are implemented along with the same. The size commonly taken is  45 cm of width and 100 to 120cm depth with ratio of 1:10 cement mortar or mud mortar
The voids/gaps should be filled with smaller stones for proper bonding and for better stability
The cornerstones must be aligned and packed properly. We need skilled masons in making a good rubble masonry. Unclean rubble masonry is easily identifiable by an expert which can greatly affect the stability of the superstructure. In some places where quarry stones are not easily available then laterite stone can be a substitute. The rubble masonry can also be made with mud mortar


See similar image at Eyeem