Tag: vernacular architecture

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed over 800 people as mud-brick homes collapsed in rain-soaked landslides. Here’s why traditional earthen houses failed, how human-driven slope damage worsened the disaster, and how sustainable, earthquake-resistant construction can save lives.

This is like discovering that the pyramids weren’t built by natural erosion, but by ancient engineers

Bamboo, often referred to as the "green steel" of the future, is quickly gaining popularity as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. With its fast growth cycle, minimal environmental footprint, and impressive strength, bamboo is emerging as a game-changing material for the construction industry. Not only is it an eco-friendly choice, but its versatility allows it to be used in everything from flooring to scaffolding, and even entire buildings.

Today, the Rock Round Palace stands as a historical site, a reminder of the diverse cultural heritage that once thrived in the region. Videos circulating on Youtube suggest that anyone off the street can wander inside and around the citadel suggesting it's not being protected well for future generations.

Cities around the world are encouraged to enter their greening initiatives to showcase their achievement and commitment to nature-orientated solutions to address major challenges facing urban environments.

Researchers tested the fire safety and strength of hemp blocks, a sustainable building material made from hemp, lime, and water. The study, published in the Journal of Building Engineering, found that Hemp blocks don’t catch fire with open flames but instead smolder slowly, producing very little smoke. In fact, walls made of hemp blocks stayed structurally intact for 2 hours during fire tests.

For the 2024 Dubai Design Week edition, practitioners were invited to propose designs with a focus on vernacular architecture and how community-centric architectural methods—rooted in local materials and technique—can intersect with new environments.

H. Masud Taj meets Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy.

Ghadamès is one of the oldest and most celebrated Saharan cities, called the 'Pearl of the Desert', (Jawhart Al-Sahra) by Arab sources. It has played a key role in the cultural and economic life of the region as an important and peaceful hub for caravan trade as part of the trans-Saharan network.

Can architects, and students of architecture do better for planet and people? Yes, the answers are in the bible of vernacular architecture called Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing World, edited by architect Sandra Piesik with contributions from about 100 architects who specialise in geographic regions and materials. 

In a visionary nod to the past, renowned architecture studio Snøhetta has unveiled its design for the Royal Diriyah Opera House, set to grace the historic town of Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Informed by the rich tapestry of traditional Najdi architecture.

Millions of Afghans had fled to Pakistan over the years as refugees - some from since the Taliban takeover in 2021, many from decades before. They are now being forced back to the hands of the Taliban.