If vernacular architecture is to do with issues around sustainability both environmental and economical – and to produce contemporary, innovative buildings that explore and borrow methods, materials and techniques from the past I would suggest that a CobBauge building, a material which I researched for exercise 2.3 is a good example of vernacular architecture.

CobBauge brings the natural material cob up-to-date ensuring it meets building regulations and environmental standards while being a sustainable economical product, sourced from materials in the area the building is to be built on.

Further examples of vernacular architecture are those shown below by Birdsye Design. Birdseye Design are an American architectural firm which states that it has an ‘architectural language which draws from region, heritage and context’ (Birdseye, 2017). This would suggest a vernacular language and with their strong commitment to woodworking and artisan work would suggest a connection to past skills and methods.

Their projects link to the regions historic architectural styles.

Dorset Mountain Home is a contemporary building which draws on the steep gable barn roofs of Vermont, where the house is situated.

Below is Board + Batten Guest House named after the traditional board and batten exterior panelling of homes in this region, also in Vermont.

Further examples are contemporary homes in the highlands and islands of Scotland which are being built with respect to the traditional style of this region. In areas like these there is a close relationship between people and the environment and the homes are designed to fit in and not take from or jar with the environment around them.   

Architectural firms such as Dualchas and Rural Design are ensuring homes are being built which consider ‘design elements like social, economic and environmental sustainability’ (The Culture Trip, 2019)

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Black house on the Isle of Skye is designed by architects Rural Design. Black House is built into a hollow between two drumlins, this shields it from the high winds on the island, whilst not detracting from views in the area.

The buildings form and exterior black cladding is inspired from the traditional agricultural buildings which are dotted around the landscape. The building is designed to be sturdy and efficient.

The architects state that ‘the house is truly a black house, not only by it’s colour but by it’s very spirit. It draws parallels to the can-do attitude of the original occupants of blackhouses, heroically self-built using materials and skills to create a shelter for the family’ (Rural Design, 2016). I believe this epitomises modern vernacular, built with regard to the local landscape, materials, environment and people, whilst being economical and sustainable.

Vernacular Architecture in my village

I live in Oxton, a rural Nottinghamshire Village which was first mentioned in the Doomsday book.

There are a variety of buildings of different ages and styles in the village but the traditional vernacular architecture is very much red brick buildings with pantiled roofs. Such as the 18^th Century Manor House which also displays gothic glazing bars.

The Church of St. Peters and St. Pauls however dates back from the 12^th century with restoration taking place in 1898. It is a listed building with its listing stating it is built of Ashlar dressed rubble with a slate roof. Ashler being a finely cut stone, usually in a cuboid shape.

As it is a rural village many of the buildings are farm buildings, most of which have been converted into homes, again displaying the traditional red brick and pantiled roofs.

As the village has grown and modernised the building style, whether grand or affordable housing has continued to be sympathetic to the traditional style of building materials, with some modern buildings continuing to be designed with Georgian style windows.

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Images

Fig 1. (2019) [Photograph] At: https://www.facebook.com/CobBaugeProject/photos/ms.c.eJwztjS3MDIzNTYxMDSyMDHRM4bwDSF8MwBlpQZT.bps.a.394417864353711/397826534012844/?type=3&theater. (Accessed on 25.03.19)

Fig 2. Dorset Mountain Home (2017) [Photograph] At: http://birdseyevt.com/portfolio/woodshed-architecture-vermont-2/. (Accessed on 28.03.19)

Fig 3. Board + Batten (2017) [photograph] At: http://birdseyevt.com/portfolio/board-batten/. (Accessed on 27.03.19)

Fig 4. (2019) [photograph] https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/articles/the-striking-modern-buildings-redefining-the-scottish-highlands/. (Accessed on 29.03.19)

Fig 5 & 6. The Black House (2016) [photograph] https://www.ruraldesign.co.uk/Black-House. (Accessed on 29.03.19)

Fig 7. [photograph] https://nipmoosebarns.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/nipmoose-scottish-142.jpg. (Accessed 29.03.19)

Fig 8. (2011) [photograph] Murray-Rust, A. (n.d.). The Manor House (C) Alan Murray-Rust. Geograph.org.uk. At: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1629233 (Accessed 29.03.19)

Fig 9.  (2011) [Photograph] https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101285622-church-of-st-peter-and-st-paul-oxton/photos/8909#.XJ42M6LLcdU. (Accessed on 29.03.19)

Fig 10. [photograph] https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/4a/2e/354a2ea9f0bca241fa0a7dc415a1beb8.jpg. (n.d.). (Accessed on 25.03.19)

Fig 11. (2018) [photograph] http://media.rightmove.co.uk/13k/12215/37701983/12215_100027A_27_IMG_01_0001.JPG. (Accessed on 29.03.19)

Fig 12. (2019) [photograph] https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=44747656&sale=59725611&country=england. (Accessed on 25.03.19)

Fig 13. (2018) [photograph] https://media.rightmove.co.uk/dir/crop/10:9-16:9/38k/37766/76540496/37766_NOT140113_IMG_01_0000_max_476x317.jpg. (Accessed on 29.03.19)

Sources

ArchDaily. (2011). Vernacular Architecture and the 21st Century. [online] At: https://www.archdaily.com/155224/vernacular-architecture-and-the-21st-century/ (Accessed on 27.03.19)

British Listed Buildings. (2019). Church of St Peter and St Paul, Oxton, Nottinghamshire. [online] Britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. At: https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101285622-church-of-st-peter-and-st-paul-oxton/photos/8909#.XJ42M6LLcdU (Accessed 29.03.19)

Chalmers, T. (2019). The Striking Modern Buildings Redefining The Scottish Highlands. Culture Trip. At: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/articles/the-striking-modern-buildings-redefining-the-scottish-highlands/ (Accessed on 29.03.19)

McKnight, J. (2018). Birdseye Design references local vernacular for secluded Vermont dwelling. [online] Dezeen. At: https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/15/birdseye-design-board-batten-local-vernacular-architecture-secluded-house-vermont/ (Accessed 26.03.19)

Ruraldesign.co.uk. (2016). Rural Design Architects – Isle of Skye and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. [online] Available at: https://www.ruraldesign.co.uk/ (Accessed on 29.03.19)