This document provides an introduction to a course on Indigenous Architecture. It defines indigenous architecture as that created by local builders using traditional methods and materials to meet the needs of the community. The objectives of the course are to recognize and analyze indigenous architecture around the world and in the local Arabian/Gulf region, understand how the architecture developed in response to cultural and environmental factors, and draw inspiration from traditional designs to inform sustainable architecture. Students are instructed to carefully observe elements of indigenous buildings like elevations, floor plans, construction methods, and cultural influences.

1. Kuwait University – College of Engineering and Petroleum Department of Architecture Indigenous Architecture -- ARCH222 Summer 2003 Instructor: Dr. Yasser Mahgoub T.A.: B.T. Srinivas Rao

2. Introduction to Indigenous Architecture -- ARCH222

3. Introduction to Indigenous Architecture -- ARCH222

4. Introduction to Indigenous Architecture -- ARCH222

5. architecture \Ar"chi*tec`ture\ 1. The art or science of building; especially, the art of building houses, churches, bridges, and other structures, for the purposes of civil life; -- often called civil architecture. 2. Construction, in a more general sense; frame or structure; workmanship. Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. Introduction to Indigenous Architecture -- ARCH222

6. Indigenous \In*dig"e*nous\, 1. Native; produced, growing, or living, naturally in a country or climate; not exotic; not imported. 2. Native; inherent; innate. Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. Introduction to Indigenous Architecture -- ARCH222

7. Indigenous Architecture is the architecture created by uneducated designers . It is built by their owners , by the communities that pool resources, or by local specialized builders and craftsmen . It is an architecture that meets the man’s needs : physiological, psychological, spiritual, and social needs. Introduction to Indigenous Architecture -- ARCH222

8. * The subject could have other titles such as: - Architecture without architects - Traditional Architecture - Primitive Architecture - Regional Architecture - Vernacular Architecture (most popular title) Introduction to Indigenous Architecture -- ARCH222

9. * The objective of this course is to be able to recognize this architecture all over the world, and to concentrate on our region [Arabian, Gulf, Kuwait]. * To design for the future by learning from the past (wisdom, experience). You will reduce many unnecessary errors, and be able to design sustainable buildings. Objectives

10. Recognizing means: - to be able to identify it - to analyze it (document, categorize, study, understand, and discuss) - to take action (learn from lessons, educate, identify the positives and use them). Study the conditions that affected the dwellings and the man-made search for innovations in the: - design features - building materials - techniques for building construction - vocabularies, names, dates (as a data base) Objectives

11. (1) To develop within the student an understanding that vernacular is a three dimensional language that is a resultant of man’s individual and collective search for innovation. (2) To view vernacular architecture as an embodiment of site, culture, indigenous materials and craft . (3) To develop an understanding of the symbiotic relationship between architecture and the landscape . (4) To develop an understanding of how users view the environment, receive information about it, develop mental images of it, and learn from it in order to generate behavioral patterns within the environment. (5) To develop an understanding that architecture is a medium of cultural expression . Temple University Objectives

12. Over the years, our grandfathers have tried different styles, and though trial and error they succeeded to reach certain building designs that suite them. Why should we ignore all these efforts and lessons they have learned and adopt imported architecture which is designed for other cultures and climates ? We should learn from traditional architecture and continue the process to reach for the best design that suite us, exactly like what the other nations have done. Why should we study indigenous architecture ?

13. (2) Inspiration for suitable design ideas : Studying indigenous architecture can help us be creative and find suitable solutions for sustainable architecture : Human scale, great views, visual richness, enhancing the quality of habitation to create places where habitation will feel at home, without exactly mimicking vernacular prototypes. Why should we study indigenous architecture ?

14. (3) Psychological reason : It is our culture, our history, our base . We feel more stable and content when we know our past and relate to it. Exactly the reason why we love to look into our old pictures and remember the past. We must document and study the past so preserve it for us and for future generations. Why should we study indigenous architecture ?

15. * Texts, Office Hours, Exams and grades, Attendance. Discussion of the Syllabus * Serious attendance and taking notes. Reading and understanding (requires 2 hours a day) Participation (questions, concepts, arguments) Good project (introduction, body, analysis, recommendations) * Learn from the past (always ask yourself: what can I learn from this experience to improve my design skills?) Purpose ? Why they did it that way? Design ? How they did it? Technique ? How they managed to solve the problem? Materials ? From where ? My expectations

16. * Elevation: (construction material, openings, ornaments, ratios, etc) * Entrances: (connection between outside to the inside, material, social status) * Floor plans: (distribution, sizes, segregation, etc.) * Construction method: (structures, connections, process, etc.) * Climate control: (wind catchers, openings, etc.) * Cultural, environmental: (economical, and political factors.) Pay attention to the following

17. End of Introduction