Globalisation, vernacularisasion and the invention of identities

Abstract

Architects are adamant that academic qualifications are a prerequisite for design competence. It is therefore ironic that vernacular architecture is having a significant impact on contemporary architectural design world-wide. In remote, rural communities, vernacular architecture is often culturally entrenched, as well as being the only available construction solution due to technological constraints. Because of the distinctive and unique characteristics of such structures, the people and places concerned are usually immediately identifiable. However, globalisation resulted not only in the dissemination of indigenous solutions – often particularly relevant and aesthetically pleasing – but also in their commodification. Such de-contextualised, vernacular ideas are the essence of vernacularisastion; a formal movement subject to individual interpretation and variously motivated by economic exigencies, fashion crazes, or pragmatic concerns. This article analyses the impact of vernacularisasion when stripped of its original ideals and used to create new identities. The aim is to explore its value as a contemporary generator of form. The findings could determine the extent to which vernacular studies should be incorporated in architectural scholarshipArgitekte hou vol dat akademiese kwalifikasies ‘n voorvereiste is vir ontwerpbevoegdheid. Dit is derhalwe ironies dat volksargitektuur wêreldwyd ‘n beduidende impak het op hedendaagse argitektoniese ontwerp. Volksargitektuur is in verafgeleë landelike gemeenskappe dikwels kultureelingeburger, sowel as die enigste beskikbare konstruksie-oplossing as gevolg van tegnologiese beperkings. As gevolg van die besondere en unieke eienskappe van sulke konstruksies is die mense en plekke gewoonlik dadelik herkenbaar. Globalisasie het egter nie net die verspereiding van inheemse oplossings – dikwels besonders toepaslik en esteties aantreklik – moontlik gemaak nie, maar ook die gebruiksnuttigheid daarvan. Sulke volkseie idiees is die wese van verinheemsing; ‘n formele beweging wat afhanklik is van individuele interpretasie en by tye gemotiveer word deur ekonomiese vereistes, modegrille, of pragmatiese oorwegings. Hierdie artikel ontleed die impak van volksargitektuur as ‘n hedendaagse bron van vorm. Die bevindinge bepaal in watter mate die studie van volksargitektuur by argitektoniese studies ingesluit behoort te word.