The book reviews Amos Rapoport's work on how house forms are products of culture rather than just physical constraints. [1] It discusses how vernacular architecture is shaped more by local socio-cultural factors than monumental or high-style designs. [2] The book examines how climate, materials, technology, social hierarchies and other environmental influences contribute to the evolution of house designs over time. [3] It argues that while physical needs initially drove house forms, cultural preferences now have a stronger influence on architecture and the true essence of vernacular design is declining.
Original Description:
a review on the book House From and Culture by AMOS RAPOPORT
The book reviews Amos Rapoport's work on how house forms are products of culture rather than just physical constraints. [1] It discusses how vernacular architecture is shaped more by local socio-cultural factors than monumental or high-style designs. [2] The book examines how climate, materials, technology, social hierarchies and other environmental influences contribute to the evolution of house designs over time. [3] It argues that while physical needs initially drove house forms, cultural preferences now have a stronger influence on architecture and the true essence of vernacular design is declining.
The book reviews Amos Rapoport's work on how house forms are products of culture rather than just physical constraints. [1] It discusses how vernacular architecture is shaped more by local socio-cultural factors than monumental or high-style designs. [2] The book examines how climate, materials, technology, social hierarchies and other environmental influences contribute to the evolution of house designs over time. [3] It argues that while physical needs initially drove house forms, cultural preferences now have a stronger influence on architecture and the true essence of vernacular design is declining.
According to the author, Amos Rapoport architectural records have always been largely about monumental architecture, genius designs and not about the environment it is surrounded by. The author suggests that the monumental structure, genius designers contributes a very insignificant amount of influences on the built form around it instead the vernacular, folk or popular architecture has a deeper mark on its environment. So the book focuses the reason behind the house form which is the main component of the environment. In his opinion in contradiction to the popular belief the house form is not only a product of physical constraints but it is rather a product of a collection of various reasons such as culture, and a freedom of choice etc. The author points out the study can no way be described as one man point of view. It is the collection of numerous researchers on this topic and on those related to it. He strives to generate the meaning of vernacular architecture and its transition throughout the course of his study. According to him design is not unanimously claimed by architecture, its a melting pot of socio-cultural, cross cultural, topographical and historical factors. In the 1 st chapter The Nature and Definition of Field the author tells us that design originates from its surroundings and culture. The definition of vernacular architecture is hugely debated, but we come to the conclusion that it had laid its root in the neighborhood it had developed in. The design of the habitat should not deviate from the accepted hierarchy in the settlement. One that can blend in with its surroundings is considered to be acceptable widely. Design can be analytical over aesthetic values or may be repetitive due to various social factors. In due course of time we find that vernacular system has evolved and had added numerous elements to be at par with the modern era. But people opt more for originality nowadays as a result of which vernacular architecture is losing its true essence. The author in his 2 nd chapter Alternative Theories of House Form states that design has been greatly influenced by climate. Man since time immemorial had been constructing dwelling to escape the natural calamities. In a way climatology has contributed to the variation in design which can be best understood by igloos in the North Pole, morocco tents in the dunes, wooden huts in the tropical forests, etc. He has mentioned about various materials and framework that are interlinked to create a dwelling. The design also depends on socio- economic, defense, religion, etc. factors. All these factors along with varied usages gave birth to the variety in forms of the habitats.
In the 3 rd chapter Socio-Cultural Factors and House Forms the description is an elaborate explanation of the title. He emphasizes this as a stronger reason over the previously mentioned factors that initiate a design. According to him its the reaction of human beings to external stimuli that affects his dwelling more than physical forces. He has given an insight to the caste based system in India where houses in a settlement are no more designed on the basis of mutual interest but are based more on their status in the society. To sum it up the houses are greatly affected by habitants basic needs, the families living in it and the social interactions. In the 4 th chapter Climate as Modifying Factor he recalls the role of climatology as the reason behind the form of a typology of houses. The micro-climatic factors were an important reason for human beings to construct shelter for themselves. The author in the 5 th chapter Construction Materials and Technology as Modifying Factors tells us about the importance of various materials and framework that makes up a building. The lack of proper construction technology can lead to the failure of design even if it is compatible with the physical forces and social policies. Again this has led to the improvement of technology construction wise when the materials are not abundantly available. In the 6 th and final chapter A Look at the Present the author sums up the transformation of the various aspects of design and its evolution to what we see in contemporary times. He pinpoints to the availability of numerous options, which were the result of solutions in response to the hurdles, as the reason behind the indefinite nature of design and the gradual decline of the true form of vernacular architecture. In due course of time the vernacular system had evolved through the various forms of dwelling to create the modern day society.