The Vernacular architecture as a model for Sustainable design in Africa .

Abstract

Vernacular Architecture is increasingly becoming a subject of major interest not only to architecture theorists, but also to designers and technologists for very many good reasons. It has now become very apparent, that although technological advancement brings modern civilization to our communities, it also accelerates the disappearance not only the style of life which has been developed over a span of many centuries, but also the very veins of cultural identity which are so vital for the survival of any society. The onslaught of modern technology has robbed our communities of the construction skills and environmentally sensitive design of their dwellings. “Modern Architecture” is becoming more and more environmentally unfriendly not only to people, but also to the surrounding natural environment, including the excessive use of energy in cooling buildings. That is why we have to revert back to vernacular architecture to see how we can be salvage the vernacular principles and use them in sustainable architecture. There has been a turn around after years of environmentally unfriendly materials and bad architecture to sustainable building materials and construction methods.