TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE

Traditional architecture is a dynamic concept that has changed over the years addressing the many existing issues of
housing in our society. It is the way of building a house using recognizable symbols of a particular culture of unique people
in a special way

CHARACTERISTICS:

The characteristics of traditional architecture used by architects and builders includes a commitment to maintaining a link to
the past styles of building, reuse of materials or designing homes and building to stay consistent with the overall building
design of the area.

TRADITIONAL VS VERNACULAR:

While the vernacular buildings show a simplistic construction system with minimal expressions of the society,
the traditional buildings show a developed style of construction and expression. Both the building typologies represent the
prevailing social and cultural systems.

Traditional architecture takes into account the styles that were popular to a region or area. The
characteristics of traditional architecture used by architects and builders includes a commitment to
maintaining a link to the past styles of building, reuse of materials or designing homes and building to
stay consistent with the overall building design of the area. This creates a sense of continuity and
connection to the past, which helps the area maintains its traditional look and feel for the residents of the
community.

Where Traditional Architecture Emanates

Homes that were built in older communities create the standard for what a traditional architect seeks to
maintain. Particularly those communities that are well over a century or centuries old, the homes and
buildings that are constructed establish the tradition from which traditional architecture seeks to
maintain. The structure of doors, windows, building heights and roofing elements are carried forward in
new construction, tying the present to the past and maintaining a community’s tradition.

The Importance of Traditional Architecture

Traditional architecture is important because it maintains our link to the past. It is this link to the past that
keeps us latched to the traditional buildings and styles that can be incorporated into other building
designs. Utilizing traditional architecture styles and elements when building provides residents with a
sense of calm and consistency throughout their community without a wild departure from their traditions
and heritage.

What Constitutes Traditional Architecture

A main component of a traditional architecture style is the way in which the past building styles and
present are merged together, creating a seamless transition. With traditional architecture, much
deference is paid to the materials used in a building and how they function and work. Traditional style
does not depart from the norm in the way that contemporary architecture does nor is it rigidly devout to
form and function as in the case of modern architecture. Traditional architecture is an older way of
building homes and buildings that stands the test of time and continues its link to the past, moved
forward.

Can Contemporary Architecture be Traditional Architecture?

The question as to whether contemporary architecture design can be traditional architecture depends on
the community itself. Traditional architecture is based on the community’s building standards and
traditions. In a new community that is based solely on contemporary design then the question as to
whether contemporary architecture can be traditional architecture is answered with a yes. In this
example, the traditions set by the contemporary architecture are the traditional architecture for the
community. What dictates traditional architecture is not necessarily what is built but how it is built and
how that design and build has withstood the test of time and been carried through in other building
throughout the community.