An Environmentally Friendly Approach towards the Conservation of Vernacular Architecture
Contemporary theories of sustainability, concerning
the natural and built environment, have recently introduced an
environmental attitude towards the architectural design that, in turn,
affects the practice of conservation and reuse of the existing building
stock. This paper presents an environmentally friendly approach
towards the conservation of vernacular architecture and it is based on
the results of a research program which involved the investigation of
sustainable design elements of traditional buildings in Cyprus. The
research in question showed that Cypriot vernacular architecture gave
more emphasis on cooling rather than heating strategies. Another
notable finding of the investigation was the great importance given to
courtyards as they enhance considerably, and in various ways, the
microclimatic conditions of the immediate environment with
favorable results throughout the year. Moreover, it was shown that
the reduction in temperature fluctuation observed in the closed and
semi-open spaces, compared to the respective temperature fluctuation
of the external environment -due to the thermal inertia of the building
envelope- helps towards the achievement of more comfortable living
conditions within traditional dwellings. This paper concludes with a
proposal of a sustainable approach towards the conservation of the
existing environment and the introduction of new environmental
criteria for the conservation of traditional buildings, beyond the
aesthetic, morphological and structural ones that are generally
applied.
[1] M. Philokyprou, A. Michael, The Bioclimatic Aspects of the Vernacular
Architecture of Cyprus. ISBN: 978-9963-33-9912-4-2, Nicosia, 2014.
[2] A. Rapoport, House, Form and Culture, New Jersey, U.S.A. Prentice
Hall Inc.: 1969.
[3] D. Danilo, The Walled City of Nicosia. UNDP United Nations
Development Programme. Nicosia, 1997.
[4] S. Sinos, Review of the Vernacular Architecture of Cyprus. Athens1976.
[5] G. Papacharalambous, The Cypriot Dwelling. The Cyprus Research
Centre, Nicosia, 2001.
[6] M. Philokyprou, A. Michael, S. Thravalou, Assessment of the
Bioclimatic Elements of Vernacular Architecture. The Historic Centre of
Nicosia, Cyprus. In Le ViedeiMercanti XI Forum Internazionale di
Studi, Aversa, Capri, Italy, 2013.
[7] M. Philokyprou, A. Michael, St. Thravalou, I. Ioannou, Evaluation of
Sustainable Design Elements in the Historic Centre of Nicosia, Cyprus.
M. Correia, G. Carlos, S. Rocha, (eds.), 7th ATP, International
Conference on Vernacular Heritage and Earthern Architecture, CIAV
2013, Taylor & Francis, London, pp. 631-636.
[8] A. Michael, M. Philokyprou, St. Thravalou, I. Ioannou, Contribution of
Bioclimatic Elements to Thermal Comfort: Heritage Case Study in
Nicosia, Cyprus. PLEA 2013, Conference Sustainable Architecture of
Renewable future, Munich, Germany, 2013.
[9] M. Milne, B. Givoni, Architectural Design Based On Climate. D.
Watson, Energy Conservation through Building Design. New York,
McGraw-Hill, 1979.
[10] J. Goulding, O. Lewis, T. Steemers, Energy in Architecture: The
European Passive Solar Handbook. Commission of the European
Communities, Brussels, 1992.
[11] Β. Givoni, Climate Consideration in Building and Urban Design.
Canada, John Wiley & Sons, 1998.
[12] S. Yannas, Solar Energy and Housing Design Volume 1: Principles,
Objectives and Guidelines. London, AA Publications, 1994.
[1] M. Philokyprou, A. Michael, The Bioclimatic Aspects of the Vernacular
Architecture of Cyprus. ISBN: 978-9963-33-9912-4-2, Nicosia, 2014.
[2] A. Rapoport, House, Form and Culture, New Jersey, U.S.A. Prentice
Hall Inc.: 1969.
[3] D. Danilo, The Walled City of Nicosia. UNDP United Nations
Development Programme. Nicosia, 1997.
[4] S. Sinos, Review of the Vernacular Architecture of Cyprus. Athens1976.
[5] G. Papacharalambous, The Cypriot Dwelling. The Cyprus Research
Centre, Nicosia, 2001.
[6] M. Philokyprou, A. Michael, S. Thravalou, Assessment of the
Bioclimatic Elements of Vernacular Architecture. The Historic Centre of
Nicosia, Cyprus. In Le ViedeiMercanti XI Forum Internazionale di
Studi, Aversa, Capri, Italy, 2013.
[7] M. Philokyprou, A. Michael, St. Thravalou, I. Ioannou, Evaluation of
Sustainable Design Elements in the Historic Centre of Nicosia, Cyprus.
M. Correia, G. Carlos, S. Rocha, (eds.), 7th ATP, International
Conference on Vernacular Heritage and Earthern Architecture, CIAV
2013, Taylor & Francis, London, pp. 631-636.
[8] A. Michael, M. Philokyprou, St. Thravalou, I. Ioannou, Contribution of
Bioclimatic Elements to Thermal Comfort: Heritage Case Study in
Nicosia, Cyprus. PLEA 2013, Conference Sustainable Architecture of
Renewable future, Munich, Germany, 2013.
[9] M. Milne, B. Givoni, Architectural Design Based On Climate. D.
Watson, Energy Conservation through Building Design. New York,
McGraw-Hill, 1979.
[10] J. Goulding, O. Lewis, T. Steemers, Energy in Architecture: The
European Passive Solar Handbook. Commission of the European
Communities, Brussels, 1992.
[11] Β. Givoni, Climate Consideration in Building and Urban Design.
Canada, John Wiley & Sons, 1998.
[12] S. Yannas, Solar Energy and Housing Design Volume 1: Principles,
Objectives and Guidelines. London, AA Publications, 1994.
@article{"International Journal of Architectural, Civil and Construction Sciences:70495", author = "M. Philokyprou and A. Michael", title = "An Environmentally Friendly Approach towards the Conservation of Vernacular Architecture", abstract = "Contemporary theories of sustainability, concerning
the natural and built environment, have recently introduced an
environmental attitude towards the architectural design that, in turn,
affects the practice of conservation and reuse of the existing building
stock. This paper presents an environmentally friendly approach
towards the conservation of vernacular architecture and it is based on
the results of a research program which involved the investigation of
sustainable design elements of traditional buildings in Cyprus. The
research in question showed that Cypriot vernacular architecture gave
more emphasis on cooling rather than heating strategies. Another
notable finding of the investigation was the great importance given to
courtyards as they enhance considerably, and in various ways, the
microclimatic conditions of the immediate environment with
favorable results throughout the year. Moreover, it was shown that
the reduction in temperature fluctuation observed in the closed and
semi-open spaces, compared to the respective temperature fluctuation
of the external environment -due to the thermal inertia of the building
envelope- helps towards the achievement of more comfortable living
conditions within traditional dwellings. This paper concludes with a
proposal of a sustainable approach towards the conservation of the
existing environment and the introduction of new environmental
criteria for the conservation of traditional buildings, beyond the
aesthetic, morphological and structural ones that are generally
applied.", keywords = "Bioclimatic, conservation, environmental, traditional
dwellings, vernacular architecture.", volume = "9", number = "8", pages = "1022-10", }