The paper analyzes the architecture of two regions in South-East Asia namely Kashmir, a state in Northern India, and Bhutan, a country located on the southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayas to challenge the uncritical adoption of values and building techniques associated with Western architecture, often inappropriate for climate and local labor, to question the notion of benefit from the perspective of sustainability. In doing so it seeks to support the cause of vernacular Architecture and also further its incorporation in contemporary sustainable building design.

1. Architecture: Transition from
Vernacular to Modern in
Developing Nations
On Sustainability Conference, Portland State University 21-23rd January 2016
Sankalp Gupta, B.E.(Hons) Research Assistant (supported by a Iowa State
University Provost’s Start-Up Grant), and M.Arch Student
Andrea Wheeler, PhD, Assistant Professor, Iowa State University

2. Outline
 Context of research
 Research problem – this paper challenges the uncritical adoption of values
and building techniques associated with Western architecture, often
inappropriate for climate and local labor, to question the notion of benefit
from the perspective of sustainability.
 Method: case study research.
 Initial Results
 Significant and further study.

3. Context
 Defining Vernacular Architecture, genius loci & globalization.
 Adverse effects of globalization leading to standardization of the built
environment particularly effecting developing nations and their Vernacular
Architecture.
 Waning in Vernacular Architectural techniques and rise of an era of modern
structures lacking modern techniques and skill.

4. Research questions
 Why is there a waning of vernacular architectural techniques in developing
nations? When “common sense” would suggest they represent some of the
most robust, efficient and sustainable means of constructing.
 How can we challenge the uncritical adoption of modern techniques?
 How can we define the adverse impacts of these techniques?
 How can we stress upon the relevance of vernacular architecture to
sustainable design?

5. Aim
 “In order to answer these questions the research studies the impact of
vernacular architecture on present day societies which have continued to
follow its precepts despite the advent of globalization and modernization and
to compare such case studies with societies that have switched to a modernist
approach”

6. Case Studies:
 In order to carry out this comparison between
the vernacular tradition and contemporary
sustainable design, two case studies will be
explored: the kingdom country, Bhutan, and
Kashmir, a state in northern India.
 Geographical proximity
 Similar topographical and climatological
conditions.
 A rich architectural heritage
 Use of common construction materials
 Similarity in traditions of constructing buildings.
 Contrasting architectural trends

7. Kashmir
 A state in northern India.
 Important post in the old age silk route.
 Culture has influences from Islam,
Hinduism, Buddhism, Persian culture and
the Mughals.
 Architecture shaped by various traditions,
cultures, climatological, topographical and
seismic needs.
 Use of local materials such as stone,
timber, mud, cow dung and agricultural
waste for construction.
 Community involvement in the act of
building.

8. Traditional Kashmiri houses
Ground floor and first floor plan of a typical ‘taq’ houseA model showing the timber lacing in Kashmiri
‘taq’ construction. Only horizontal timbers are
placed on the inside and outside faces of the walls
are tied together like ladders. The joist are
secured to the wall by the weight of the masonry
above

9. Kashmir’s changing Architecture: Losing
gold for glitter
 Transition from vernacular to modern is visually perceptible as the number of vernacular
houses have receded significantly in the past years.
 Unfamiliarity of the Architects with the new vernacular techniques. (Khan 2014)
 Social: Modern techniques have been generally associated with affluence, cleanliness
and sturdiness. (Khan 2014)
 “The traditional houses carried a feeling of home, that is absent in the modern day
concrete structures,” said Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Baramulla town, 52 km northwest
of Srinagar city. Ahmad lives with his family in a two-storied concrete house. He
acknowledges the new houses have a clean look to them, but said the old ones were
suited for the climate of Kashmir. Still Ahmad is more inclined towards living in a
modern house than a traditional one.”
 A democratic state: greater involvement of corporate and capitalistic forces.
 Ignorance of government.
 the sustaining effects of the learning of skills that are indigenous and embedded in the
culture of the country are being gradually lost, as the business of building construction
is being shifted to larger corporations

10. Bhutan:
 Bhutan, a country in South-East Asia located on the southern slopes of eastern
Himalayas
 ‘Architecture is one of the many things which gives Bhutan’s past a continuity
with the present, the old and medieval structures in Bhutan don’t merely
exist as empty monuments but are actively used and inhabited by the present
day people in Bhutan.’
 Unique culture and tradition entwined with the lifestyle of the people
 Bhutan places immense importance on its culture and how it influences the
way of life of the people, which mainly manifest in its rich architecture, arts,
dances, festivals, languages, costumes and the sacred sites.
 Has shown a strong resilience and adopted a critical approach towards the
adoption of modern techniques.

12. Reasons for predominance of
vernacular architecture in Bhutan
 Bhutan: Completed isolated from the world
1970’s
 Monarchy….2008
 Highly regulated growth
 Check on corporate and capitalistic factors
 Time to critically understand the pros-cons of
modernization.
 Religion & culture: Strong relationship
between Architecture. (Walcott 2011)
 Policies and regulations framed by the
government. (Planning Commission, Royal
Government of Bhutan 1998)

13. Comparative Analysis
Bhutan
 Extensive documentation of Vernacular
Architecture & techniques by the
government serving as a guideline for the
practicing Architects and designers
 Formulation of rules and regulations
which argue for greater incorporation of
vernacular architecture into
contemporary buildings.
 Emphasis on preservation and promotion
of indigenous skill set by supporting local
artisans and craftsmen.
 Religion as a means of preserving
tradition.
 Critical adoption of Modern Architectural
trends however the trends have started to
shift in recent times, corporate and
capitalistic factors have started to creep
in only time will show how it performs in
the long run.
Kashmir
 Ignorance of government.
 Lack of adequate documentation of
vernacular architecture.
 Misconceptions among local people.
 Political tensions prevailing in the region
have further worsened the situation.
 Loss on indigenous art, crafts and
traditions.
 Shift of power and jobs from small scale
industries to large-profit driven
corporations.
 Impact on climate due to mushrooming of
cement factories and industries.
 Low quality of construction due to
inadequate training in modern
Architectural techniques leading to
significant reduction in earthquake
resistance of buildings.

14. Suggestions
 “Honoring these traditional vernacular construction practices can provide a lens through
which one can see that preservation of vernacular buildings represents far more than the
saving of frozen artifacts. It is an opportunity for cultural regeneration — a reconnection with
a way of building by people who traditionally had learned how to build successfully for
themselves with materials readily at hand.”
-Randolph Langenbach
 Government policies promoting the study and research of vernacular architecture
 More critical approach towards modern techniques and in-depth understanding of these
techniques before implementation in order to ensure proper performance
 Building general awareness in order to mitigate negative notions associated with vernacular
architecture
 Moreover, it is also important for Architects to think “glocally,” a composite term to convey
looking back to the local from their global position. The aim is to unite both modern and
vernacular approaches and to find balance between them, reinforcing a distinct national
identity while at the same time remaining open to foreign influences.

15. References
 Archdaily.com,. 2015. 'Vernacular Architecture | Archdaily'.
http://www.archdaily.com/tag/vernacular-architecture.
 Comartin, Craig D. 2010. 'Don't Tear It Down! Preserving The Earthquake Resistant Vernacular
Architecture Of Kashmir Don't Tear It Down! Preserving The Earthquake Resistant Vernacular
Architecture Of Kashmir Randolph Langenbach 2009. Oinfroin Media, Oakland, California,
Earthquake Spectra 26 (1): 309-310. doi:10.1193/1.3280246.
 'Globalization Challenges in Architecture'. 2009. Journal Of Architectural And Planning
Research 26 (4): 343-35
 Shah, V.R., and Riyaz Tayyibji. 2008. 'The Kashmir House Its Seismic Adequacy And The
Question Of Social Sustainability'. In The 14 Th World Conference On Earthquake Engineering.
Beijing.
 Walcott, Susan M. 2011. 'One Of A Kind: Bhutan And The Modernity Challenge'. National
Identities 13 (3): 253-265. doi:10.1080/14608944.2011.585633.
 Khan, Shahnawaz. 2014. 'Kashmir’S Changing Architecture: Losing Gold For Glitter'. Kashmir
Newz.
 Planning Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan,. 2015. Bhutan 2020: A Vision For Peace,
Prosperity And Happiness. Thimphu: Royal Government of Bhutan.

16. Thank You