Vernacular architecture, the simplest form of addressing human needs, is seemingly forgotten in modern architecture. However, due to recent rises in energy costs, the trend has sensibly swung the other way. Architects are embracing regionalism and cultural building traditions, given that these structures have proven to be energy efficient and altogether sustainable. In this time of rapid technological advancement and urbanization, there is still much to be learned from the traditional knowledge of vernacular construction. These low-tech methods of creating housing which is perfectly adapted to its locale are brilliant, for the reason that these are the principles which are more often ignored by prevailing architects.

Vernacular architecture should not be seen as a style but as a process. It was a process of slow evolution in which making and designing were completely intertwined. In that context how do you perceive vernacular social housing to work?

yes it is possible if you use the right material in a specific location. the material must flexible to weather in the designated region. for example. the use of clay as wall material in a hot arid region.

There is always a way to do something that we need to research and to start.

Ronald Brunskill defined Vernacular as "a building designed by an amateur without any training in design; the individual will have been guided by a series of conventions built up in his locality, paying little attention to what may be fashionable. The function of the building would be the dominant factor, aesthetic considerations, though present to some small degree, being quite minimal. Local materials would be used as a matter of course, other materials being chosen and imported quite exceptionally."

To form a vernacular of Social Housing would thus, I propose, require that a culture have an incentive to evolve any current housing typology in a new one. There are three such incentives that may inform such shift in direction. First is economic. Money always leads the way regarding most if not all endeavors. Look no further the the French Gable roof. A form built to take advantage of the attic space while avoiding taxes which exempted the taxation of a habitable space under a roof. Environmental concern is the most recent incentive that is currently transforming our american housing stock. Social and cultural incentives equally come into play as groups of people look to change their current environment for the better or worse. For an example of this regarding cohousing see this talk "Co-housing, what's old is new again | Lu Mueller-Kaul | TEDxOrlando":

https://youtu.be/xh__9DcfjEg She notes the norm for most of the world was to live in small communities, villages and built architecture that naturally brings various generations and life styles together in a support environment. The evolution of english architecture lead to the American typology of single family homes vs collective living.

By looking at these and potentially other incentives for change, a shift in current built form in to new vernaculars is certainly possible just as it has happened in the past. The next question, how to expedite these forces create the desired change.

This discussion is in danger of becoming confused. Vernacular architecture is the way it is not because of how it looks but primarily because of the way it is created. Here design and making are more closely integrated and changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Changes are made not by some designer sitting at a remote drawing board but because slight variations have proved themselves better in practice. This produces slow evolution. The problem with replicating this in the modern world is that it will be surrounded by revolutionary changes in technology, even rapid changes in society often as a result of new technology and changing economics. Our process will also be surrounded by changes in regulations themselves often triggered by new technology.

another problem here is where this new proposed vernacular process would begin. Today we are surrounded by many ideas of how a building typology such as housing can be made and we have widespread international rapid exchange of ideas via the internet and modern long distance travel.

i fail to see how in contemporary western civilisation we could make a valid vernacular process. Making buildings look vernacular is of course not a real process as the Prince of Wales has accidentally demonstrated so dramatically with his invented villages.

finally I wonder what benefits could be seen to accrue from creating a forced vernacular.

Feng Shui might be an architectural language or approach which can give some ideas of vernacular processes, at least for Chinese. This idea is still applied in contemporary architecture in East Asia.

I have understood Feng shui to be principles that guide the correct placement of architectural features and spacemaking to direct positive energy in and around a building be that a home or other. These principles do not inform the style, language of architecture or construction assembly themselves. These principles apply to all styles and traditions of architecture making but themselves do not dictate a vernacular as you note, that I am aware of. They are wonderful rules of thumb that should be followed but themselves are not indicative of an architectural vernacular.

Thanks for your points.

I think Feng Shui’s functions may be more than what you mentioned as ' principles that guide the correct placement of architectural features and space making to direct positive energy in and around a building be that a home or other'. In Chinese cultural, Feng Shui was/is regarded as principles to guide the design for everything, including architectural styles and language and construction way (Peter Blundell Jones & Xuemei Li (2008) What can a bridge be?The wind and rain bridges of the Dong, The Journal of Architecture, 13:5, 565-584, DOI:10.1080/13602360802453517). For example, for the interior design, wrong colour used in the bedroom or living room might bring in ‘bad luck’ according to Feng Shui.

Based on my understanding, Feng Shui is not just ‘guiding Wind and Water or Energy’, but also deals with ‘气’(not proper to translate it as ‘energy’ or ‘air’). I am sorry for not be able to give more details since I am not a Feng Shui expert. However, as a Chinese, I have realized the direct impact of Feng Shui on the design of Chinese vernacular architecture, not just physically, or from cultural aspects, but more importantly from the point of view of environmental psychology.

The lack of an indigenous pattern in the architecture of residential complexes makes them potentially harmful to the environment. In traditional architecture, good interaction with others (neighbors) is influenced by the combination, the architectural form of indoor and outdoor spaces. An apartment lifestyle that is undoubtedly a consequence of modernity, if it does not follow the style of indigenous architecture and is content with mere imitation, will potentially be a good platform for all kinds of social harms that can pose a serious threat to the health of the complex and urban security. . Undoubtedly, the proper architecture of biological settlements can affect the interaction and social connection of residents and, consequently, social trust between them, and before social trust, strengthen social commitment and adherence to common norms and minimize social harm.