Insights into Vernacular Architecture?

[blrsiteseeker]

I was surfing the web and found this organisation that does turnkey construction using vernacular methods.
check out - http://vernacular.com

Does anyone on the forum have insights into this type of construction.

I would like to go this route if it is not more expensive than the normal construction, but at the same time will allow me to conserve materials and reduce waste etc.

Need to understand how stable and reliable such construction is - and what the maintenance costs/requirements would be. I am researching Laurie Baker etc. (whom these folks reference as well.)

Thank you very much for any feedback you all can provide.

[ardesarchitects]

Hi blrsiteseeker ,
The link is not working............

regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchitects@yahoo.co.in

[blrsiteseeker]

Thanks for the catch. sorry about the mistyping.

here is the correct link:

http://vernarch.com/

[ardesarchitects]

Hi blrsiteseeker,
A true vernacular architecture is archived in any site, if the soil in your site is good enough to make some bricks and stones are available near to site location. In Bangalore various kind of stones are available at a very near distance of 100 to 200 kms. In vernacular architecture the initial cost is less by 15-20 % (considering all the modern amenities).The major cost can be controlled if we are ready to accept the vernacular interior finishes like red-oxide flooring, exposed brick finishes, exposed roof finishes.
In vernacular interior finishes
1. You need to do a lot and lot of maintenance for example an exposed brick wall will catch dust, spiders 20 to 30 times faster than normal plastered wall. These are the practical problems.
2. Providing switches at all locations is not practically possible, since we can’t cut the wall and patch it with no plastering
3. Service areas like toilets, utility, kitchen need to be plastered for easy maintenance.
4. Red-oxide flooring should be acceptable and taken it in its natural essence.
5. Providing water features are pretty good to see but pretty hard to maintain it personally
All the above maintenances are easy for a person who love nature by heart and have time (please don’t take it in any other sense) .As an architect if you ask my personal opinion ,I will choose few features in my home to be vernacular not the entire home.
On total cost what is see a substantial savings are achieved by avoiding external plastering, vernacular top floor roofs and structure cost (in case of load bearing).
All the exterior exposed brick work should be maintained by cleaning after every rainy season to avoid formation of fungus and algae.
By accepting some basic amenities and satisfying our nature love, we can achieve a modern vernacular style in true urban sites.
I am not against to vernacular architecture but sensible to it with modern requirements …………………

Regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and interior Designers
ardesarchitects@yahoo.co.in