Vernacular Architecture of Asia: Tradition, Modernity and Cultural Sustainability (edX)

This architecture course takes you on a journey of understanding and appreciating the value of our everyday built environment. In the first two modules, we will explore the deeper socio-cultural meaning of rural vernacular architecture and look at the urban vernacular and challenges of people migrating from villages to live in cities; in module 3, we will focus on what we call ‘informal settlements’ in Asian cities; and in the final two modules, we will explore answers to a few questions that are very relevant to the current status and future development of vernacular architecture, such as:

• How can we conserve and sustain our vernacular cultural heritage?
• How can we reconcile tradition with modernity and originality?

We will also cast our eyes into the future, and discuss how the field of vernacular architecture might evolve and develop in the years to come.
Ultimately, the goal of this 5-week course is to help you establish your own viewpoints about the more complex or even contradictory issues in vernacular architecture, so you can make informed decisions regarding the protection and conservation of your local vernacular environments.
Special note: This course can be taken independently from The Search of Vernacular Architecture of Asia, Part 1.

What you'll learn:

• Deepen your appreciation of the values and meanings of vernacular architecture in your local environments
• Establish your personal perspectives on the more complex issues in vernacular architecture, such as self-conscious or un-self-conscious way of building, informal settlements, and cultural sustainability
• Generate your own ideas of how to protect and preserve your local vernacular built environment