Chapter 2 'Alternative theories of house form'

Introduction:

In this chapter it is being discussed about the processes involved in the formation of a building, which as yet has not been discussed very clearly. The form of the dwellings are highly dependant on different factors making it a complex process worth discussing with reasons.

The discussion will comprise of the most important factors which involve the physical factors as well as the non social ones. Starting out with the physical ones ,we have:

·         Climate and the need for shelter.

·         materials and technology.

·         site.

 Followed by the social ones involving:

·         Economics.

·         Defense.

·         Religion.

Climate and the need for shelter:

A man is primarily concerned with the shelter and climate determines the form of the shelter/dwelling a man creates. Since the beginning of times people have been creative in this aspect. They formed their dwelling according to their needs and the climate of the place they lived in.

But the question arises that if the climate really effects the form of the building, why do the forms of dwellings vary in the same climatic region? If everybody’s concern is the climate and it determines the form, why are there different forms in the same region? Also there are houses which are not very suitable for the weather condition at certain places but they are built anyway.

The reason is climate not being the only factor, other factors play the role in the form too. The point is that , climate of a certain place does effect the form and actually it should.

At present we can say that the climate gives us a direction to design the dwellings.

There are cases in which the way of life may lead to almost anticlimactic solutions ,with the dwelling form related to economic activity rather than climate.

Religious restrictions also sometimes create anticlimactic solutions.

Materials and Technology:

Materials and technology are more suitable to be the modifying elements rather than the detereminants, because they don’t really decide the form of a house. Sometimes it can, when a certain material is to be used in a particular way but that itself is so minimal that we cant call it a determinant. Materials basically organize a space ,make sure its serving for what it is.

Technology is also definitely a modifying element. It is something that not all people would adopt. With time it does become a necessity but there are examples where cultural and religious aspects have taken over technology. It is something that is important for people to know but knowing this doesn’t necessarily mean you do it.

In many cases, same materials and technology have produced very different forms too which means in a way that change of materials doesn’t change the form of the house.
Site:

Very similar sites often show vey different forms.Alot of people have some importance factors relating to their sites. Some sites are considered lucky,some have had the family historic importance, some show the importance of height difference. Like alot of cases show that the choice of good site, be it river, lake or mountain depends on the cultural beliefs too.Site makes somethings impossible. E.g we cant have floating houses where there is no water.

Defense:

Defense certainly plays a role in deciding the house form. But it doesn’t fully qualify to be the determinant factor. A lot of times its considered symbolic. Meaning, its based on people’s beliefs of being protected.

Economics:

 Economic life may not really be a determining factor of the form of a house as people with similar economic systems may have different moral systems and views and as a house is a very important representative factor for any family, it doesn’t really effect the form much.

Religion:

Religion sometimes plays a very important role in determining the form of a house. Religious beliefs are something that don’t necessarily have a logic. In some tribes, a tree is stricltly considered a bad luck if its shadow is being cast on the house. Because of this, their houses and streets remain to be shadeless in the open sun. these beliefs do decide the face of the house, infact religion affects the form,plan ad special arrangements aswell. A lot of aspects can be attributed to religion.




Sabeena Shahzad