The goal of this doctoral thesis is to map and evaluate the current situation of folk architecture in the region around the city of Uherské Hradiště on the example of selected villages. Later, these findings will be compared with the archive of prof. Antonin Kurial. The text has been extended to include currently listed buildings and output of this work is a new catalogue of buildings of folk architecture in the above mentioned region.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The dogtrot house type is an important type of vernacular architecture in the American landscape, particularly in rural areas of the southern United States. Little is formally written or known about the dogtrot type houses in New Orleans, which appear to be a unique evolution of the rural dogtrot form specifically adapted for the urban environment. This thesis examines the existing literature regarding the dogtrot house type and analyzes the architectural history of the remaining dogtrot type homes in New Orleans in order to establish that they are correctly classified, and also to investigate any possible links with rural dogtrots. The findings promotes awareness of the dogtrot house type in the urban setting, and contribute to the larger picture of vernacular architectural adaptation in the United States. Further, this thesis lays the foundation for landmarking the 16 remaining dogtrots in New Orleans.

Trata do processo de configuração dos núcleos de fixação urbana de ex-escravos, tendo como estudo de caso a cidade de São Carlos, do interior paulista, a partir de três bairros surgidos contemporaneamente à Abolição, com grande presença negra: Vila Isabel, Vila Nery e Vila Pureza. A historiografia sobre os escravos no período pós-abolição do Brasil vem se tornando cada vez menos rara, no entanto ainda é nebulosa a influência exercida pela herança cultural dos ex-escravos no ambiente da cidade por eles ocupado, considerando aspectos materiais e imateriais. O presente trabalho trata da relação entre os bairros e o espaço em que eles se inseriram, bem como as relações espaciais entre as habitações e outros equipamentos dentro dos próprios núcleos. Analisa, ainda, as moradias, notando a ocupação do lote, a distribuição interna dos ambientes, o uso e representação de cada espaço e as transformações ocorridas ao longo do tempo. Por fim, visa contribuir para ampliar a historiografia do negro em nosso país, a partir de uma perspectiva que o considera ativo e atuante no processo de construção das cidades após abolição. / This configuration process of urban fixing neighborhoods of former slaves, taking as a case study the city of São Carlos, in São Paulo State, from three districts emerged contemporaneously with the abolition of slavery, with large black presence: Vila Isabel, Vila Nery and Vila Pureza. The historiography of the slaves in the post-abolition period in Brazil is becoming less and less rare, however it is still cloudy the influence of the cultural heritage of the former slaves in the city environment they occupy, considering material and immaterial aspects. This paper deals with the relationship between the neighborhoods and the space in which they were inserted, and the spatial relationships between housing and other equipment inside the neighborhoods themselves. It also analyzes the Vilas, noting the lot occupation, the internal distribution of environments, the use and representation of each space and the changes occurring over time. Finally, it aims to contribute to enlarge the historiography of black people in our country, from a perspective that considers them active in the construction process of the cities after abolition (1888).

Trata do processo de configuração dos núcleos de fixação urbana de ex-escravos, tendo como estudo de caso a cidade de São Carlos, do interior paulista, a partir de três bairros surgidos contemporaneamente à Abolição, com grande presença negra: Vila Isabel, Vila Nery e Vila Pureza. A historiografia sobre os escravos no período pós-abolição do Brasil vem se tornando cada vez menos rara, no entanto ainda é nebulosa a influência exercida pela herança cultural dos ex-escravos no ambiente da cidade por eles ocupado, considerando aspectos materiais e imateriais. O presente trabalho trata da relação entre os bairros e o espaço em que eles se inseriram, bem como as relações espaciais entre as habitações e outros equipamentos dentro dos próprios núcleos. Analisa, ainda, as moradias, notando a ocupação do lote, a distribuição interna dos ambientes, o uso e representação de cada espaço e as transformações ocorridas ao longo do tempo. Por fim, visa contribuir para ampliar a historiografia do negro em nosso país, a partir de uma perspectiva que o considera ativo e atuante no processo de construção das cidades após abolição. / This configuration process of urban fixing neighborhoods of former slaves, taking as a case study the city of São Carlos, in São Paulo State, from three districts emerged contemporaneously with the abolition of slavery, with large black presence: Vila Isabel, Vila Nery and Vila Pureza. The historiography of the slaves in the post-abolition period in Brazil is becoming less and less rare, however it is still cloudy the influence of the cultural heritage of the former slaves in the city environment they occupy, considering material and immaterial aspects. This paper deals with the relationship between the neighborhoods and the space in which they were inserted, and the spatial relationships between housing and other equipment inside the neighborhoods themselves. It also analyzes the Vilas, noting the lot occupation, the internal distribution of environments, the use and representation of each space and the changes occurring over time. Finally, it aims to contribute to enlarge the historiography of black people in our country, from a perspective that considers them active in the construction process of the cities after abolition (1888).

The survival of vernacular architecture in the world, and particularly in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, is under threat due to rapid modernization, urbanization, socioeconomic transformation, loss of its characteristics resulting from changes and development, and misinterpretation of its typology as well as serious issues of abandonment. Most Negeri Sembilan traditional Malay houses (NSTMH), in some cases over one hundred years old, are unprotected and are becoming derelict. The vernacular value of these houses and their preservation for future generations are therefore threatened. To date, little research has been undertaken into the challenges posed in the conservation of NSTMH from the perspectives of house owners and professionals, and how the changing patterns of their form, fabric, and function have shaped the challenges of preserving them. To explore this from a more holistic approach, existing local heritage legislation that protects traditional Malay houses in particular or timber vernacular architecture in general, and international charters were reviewed, as also successful cases of preservation of similar heritage. This research employs a multi-method qualitative approach by examining as a purposive sample selected 19th-century long-roof-type NSTMHs. The research methods consisted of semi-structured interviews with house owners and conservation experts, on-site survey of the houses’ changing patterns of form, fabric, and function, as well as reviews of the conservation heritage legislation context (national/ local) and international charters. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis, while the accepted concept model of cultural heritage was used for analysis of the patterns of changes in the cases examined. Documents were reviewed using template analysis. Findings from the research outline the main challenges that include a lack of appreciation and understanding of heritage among house owners, lack of traditional building skills, lack of government support as well as insufficient documentation. Nonetheless, there is no legislation in place at either a national or local level to protect the traditional Malay house. All of the findings were triangulated prior to the development of the initial framework and further expert validation was obtained to establish the final framework. This research makes a significant contribution in expanding the existing body of knowledge, through exploration of how the house owners understand, value, and appreciate heritage within their environment, in addition to including conservation experts’ perspectives in this regard. Moreover, the main contribution of this study is the provision of a Conservation Principles Framework for the NSTMH that may be used by house owners, conservation experts, officials, the Village Security & Development Committee, academics, and students as a form of guidance to the implementation of conservation works. It is also hoped that it may act as a starting point for the Negeri Sembilan state government to develop guidance aimed to safeguard this valuable Malaysian heritage.

Beijing is the most important and dynamic city in China. A vital ingredient in that success has been its historic environment- its imperial palaces, its temples, its siheyuans, its hutongs- which provides the texture of the Old Beijing city. The historic environment is key to Beijing’s prosperity and a social asset of value. Nearly all the most prosperous and desirable areas in Beijing, the places where people most want to live, work and visit, are those where the historic environment is a dominant influence. The article, “World Heritage Areas: A Critical Analysis”, written by Peter Neville, Hadley in National Post Canada says: UNESCO's World Heritage List is intended to help preserve historic sites, but in China, inclusion on the list can be the kiss of death. The major "carrot" of heritage designation is the increased levels of tourism its prestige generates. Apparently, not only the designated heritage sites, but all the heritages are faced with the fate of being destroyed by tourism and development. Old buildings and lanes in Beijing never stop drawing visitors. The city, even the whole country is now proud of prosperous tourism which is always associated with ‘economic flourishing’. Virtually, every introduction tourism text contains at least one chapter discussing the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism. This topic has also been the subject of extensive investigation in the academic literature. However, in regions that are undergoing rapid development and where an ethos of conservation has not been established, often surprising ignorance of the negative consequences of tourism exists. In China, the attitude is still that the benefits of economic development outweigh any adverse costs such development may have. However, such an attitude is now seen as being shortsighted. As a result, a more balanced approach to tourism is advocated, acknowledging both its beneficial and detrimental effects on host communities and their cultures. Conservation is about ensuring that we make the best use of our historic environment. It is a tool for managing change. Some still believe that conservation is simple about preserving the fabric of old buildings unchanged and developing the economic potential of tourism. They failed to see that conservation is an overarching work, the opposite of a wasteful society. It is easy to destroy - and today we have the tools, the money and the technology - but difficult to create. Cultural heritage, areas, landscapes and communities are a finite resource. Once lost they are lost forever. The purpose of conservation is to ensure that destruction is kept to a minimum while allowing creativity and innovation to flourish. We should preserve the town of the past for the man of the future. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

This research is a study of traditional and modern architecture and how the aforementioned systems can and should integrate into Afro-centric architecture. The emphasis was on the architecture one tends to enjoy as an African, explored and juxtaposed against the thoughts and theoretical frameworks of culture sensitive architects worldwide. In this dissertation, the aspects of integrative theory were explored. Primary theories dealing with sustainability, New African Architecture, Indigenous Knowledge and Semiology were assessed as well. The differences between traditional Africa and modern adaptations, both positive and negative, were the limit of the research. In the dissertation certain key questions are posed to drive the inquiry of the document. The hypothesis is the conjecture that a connection between modernized architecture and traditional semiotics exists and can be cultivated to flourish, developing African architecture at all levels. This conjecture acts as a base for primary and secondary research. There are accounts listed in this dissertation of richly meaningful and sensitive traditional architecture that show a connection between American, Asian, African and European primitive building styles. These accounts show practices that have lasted near as long as the society that invented them. The gathered information shows that these examples have undergone little change over the years. The dissertation argues that the value these instances of traditional architectural meaning lessened over the years due to a shift in cultural paradigms. Further chapters in the study address cosmology, African attitudes to space, the reinvention of old materials and the manifestation and celebration of new tectonic relationships. Lessons collected on the above listed issues were related against findings from verbal interviews, written questionnaires and observations at the site of case studies. It is the researcher’s desire to explore the potential for an integrative developmental institute. To this end, an assessment has been done both in the form of precedent embedded in the text and Case Studies of relevant buildings that relate to the subject matter of the dissertation. The analysis of these assessments shows a manifested potential for the integration of traditional designs with modern building. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.