Vernacular precedent adaptation in design in terms of sustainability -- Comparative study on Le Corbusier and Hassan Fathy

Abstract

Vernacular architecture has gradually been recognized as an important source of inspiration for the design in terms of sustainability. However many problematic designs are observed where there is much inconsistency between the desired performance and design performance on site. This research attempts to look for explanations of such phenomenon by probing into the process of vernacular precedent adaptation in design. The research is developed through an interdisciplinary approach. Theories from cognitive psychology and architectural theory are employed to explain why vernacular precedents are used as heuristics in design in terms of sustainability. The P.O.M. (Performance, Operation, Morphology) knowledge representation framework is further developed as a tool to illustrate the process of vernacular precedent adaptation.The empirical study is based on a comparative analysis on Le Corbusiera??s design of Assembly in Chandigarh and Hassan Fathya??s design of Market Place in New Bariz. Results obtained are expected to reveal how the issue of sustainability in the vernacular architecture is transferred into new design elements and what kind of design process may lead to success/failures in design in terms of sustainability.