Growing Architecture: Modular & Adaptable Systems of Vernacular Architecture

Growing Architecture: Modular and Adaptable Systems of Vernacular Architecture as a Potential Solution to the Affordability of Urban Housing

Abstract This research is to explore and investigate the potential of vernacular architecture construction knowledge and techniques in modular and adaptable systems onto alleviating current urban housing issues. Malay, Mru and Japanese vernacular architecture are taken as subjects to be analysed. Our research mainly focused on four characteristics of vernacular architecture: free plan design, modularity, interlocking structural components and building frameworks that are translated into textual and diagrammatic information.

The traditional craftsmanship and construction that are discontinued, are to be valued and applied into current construction method, along with technological advancement and design ideas to attain potentials of modular and adaptable systems on urban housing.

Through literature reviews, two modern applications of these characteristics, "Timber Hearth" & Divergent Dwelling Design (D3) are concepts proposed by precedent researchers which resonated with our findings as a potential solution to urban housing affordability.

These findings have shown promise although further research is necessary to determine its feasibility in practice.

Introduction The current urban housing issue portrait is under immense strain. There are also issues on environmental, social and financial sustainability. Due to the massive gap of supply and demand, urban housing prices to soar beyond the pockets of the people. This causes living spaces to be smaller, lowering the quality of life in urban areas while social and environmental issues are being alienated.

Asian vernacular architecture is designed with flexibility with the future in mind. People throughout Asia designed with accumulated knowledge and methods, keeping the context, aesthetics, function and culture in mind. One of the most apparent methods they used are the modular and adaptable systems which includes the free plan design, interlocking structural components, modularity and building frameworks.

potential solution?

affordability of urban housing reduce the need

reduce the cost

Methodology Different types of vernacular architecture, namely Malay, Mru and Japanese, are taken as references to discuss the potential methods in applying these modular and adaptable systems to solve the issue of urban housing affordability. The issues of urban housing are identified through news articles and online journals while references are taken from books and online journals for information on modular and adaptable systems used in these vernacular architecture.

Urban Housing Affordability

Asian Vernacular Architecture

Modular & Adaptable Systems

Free Plan

Modularity

Interlocking Structural Components

Affordable Housing

Building Framework

3 vernacular examples

Malay

Mru

Japanese

4 characteristics

free plan

modularity

interlocking structural components

building framework

1.

Modular & adaptable system What is the definition of modular systems and adaptable systems respectively in architecture?

Modular System A systems architecture that distributes the whole system into a set of distinct modules that can be developed independently and then plugged together.

Modular systems can be endlessly reused by combining its parts, thus making it a sustainable solution.

Dismantling + Assmbling

Relocating

Adaptable System The capacity of a building to effectively accommodate the evolving demands of its context, thus maximizing value through life because specific components can be changed in response to external stimuli such as the users or environment.

It is the ability of the built environment to support multiple functions without altering its architecture.

Adaptable System

The function changes, but the container does not.

2.

Free plan design Why free plan design in vernacular architecture is essential to maximizing the effectiveness of urban housing spaces?

Pilotis and fluid space : Five pillar arrangement in Mru architecture

space is divided into approximately four parts, giving a flexible but precise reference grid for organizing other elements reduces dead load at the cantilevered part and creates an utilitarian extended floor that can be used as a space for storing agricultural tools

The grid of the column layout in a Mru dwelling (Rashid, 2015)

Pilotis and fluid space : Five pillar arrangement in Mru architecture

a Mru house section (Rashid, 2015)

Pilotis and fluid space : Five pillar arrangement in Mru architecture

Elements of support in Mru houses are separated from the elements of enclosure.

In the kimma (bedroom), the walls are tied to the structural posts and may either be exposed outside or stand within the enclosure.

Construction process starts from the two gable sides where 5 structural posts in two rows stand freely from enclosing panels.

After setting structural posts and floor, roof is added. Enclosing walls come much later in phase three (Rashid, 2015)

Movable doors and partitions in the Minka House

Inter-columnar elements: 1. fusuma (opaque sliding doors) 2. shoji (translucent paper sliding doors) combines two rooms together and created a flexible larger space for occupants

● ● ● ●

floor plan with non-load bearing walls, Not being limited by the placement of walls for structural support structural system only consists of interior load bearing columns - independent of the functions of the house plan permits great diversity in planning of interior spaces.

3.

Modularity How can modularity lead to a more standardized thus more efficient construction in terms of time, labor and cost?

Grid system of Japanese traditional houses The Japanese devised a series of units for measurements which are based on the human scale.

Japanese unit measurements according to the human figure (Engel, 2009)

Grid system of Ken : 1 ken is equal to 6 shaku or 1 9â „11 meter

Arrangement of layout in plan of dining room according to number of occupants (Engel, 2009)

allows for freedom of placement of spaces yet maintaining a cohesion among different spaces.

House spatial arrangement for 6-7 people (top) and 4-5 people (bottom), (Engel, 2009)

Standardised Components & Prefabrication

Carpenter’s scroll used by vernacular Japanese carpenters (Engel, 2009)

Carpenter follows the carpenter scroll - a manual for types of joineries and its dimensions. Any carpenter can follow the intentions of the designer without the need of specifications.

Joineries in used in column & beam construction (Engel, 2009)

https://twitter.com/TheJoinery_jp

Replaceable Building Components Different building parts such as windows, doors, mats or even ceiling components can be replaced individually.

The slotting method in Japanese sliding doors (shoji) and windows, omitting the requirement to use tools and additional materials such as nails.

Japanese Paper Sliding Doors, Shoji (Homesteady, 2017)

Grooves for the Shoji (Nippon-kichi, 2008)

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Grid system gives order and modularity which allows for easier planning and more efficient construction component parts are standardized & prefabricated thus the entire construction process is just to assemble the prefabricated parts, saving time, labour and ultimately cost. labour and time for repairs can be reduced through the ease of replacement - replaceable building components

4.

Interlocking structural components How interlocking structural components contribute to a more flexible design which adapts better to changing needs?

Post & Lintel Construction of Traditional Malay House: use of timber joints

Column to foundation connection

Beam to column connection

Floor to column connection

(Lim Jee Yuan, 1991)

(Lim Jee Yuan, 1991))

(Lim Jee Yuan, 1991)

use of timber joints

Mortise & tenons

Timber wedges

Use of mortise & tenons: Post and lintel construction

1) Through tenon (protruded) 2) mortise (recessed) as a shouldered joint

All joints need to be measured and carved perfectly to avoid tenon breakage or splitting of the mortise. The structural systems are pre-fabricated on ground before assembling on site.

Q3: How can modularity lead to a more standardized thus more efficient construction in terms of time, labor and cost?

Use of timber wedges : Reenactment of structure in Traditional Malay House

Timber wedges (baji) - main feature of the components in traditional Malay house Baji allows the joints to be easily taken apart and reassembled without damaging the fabric of the building.

It allows the building to be dismantled into smaller components and allows it transported to another place if necessary.

Cross beam to column construction with wedge (Lim Jee Yuan, 1991.)

Changing needs: relocation & separation

Rumah ibu + serambi gantung + dapur

Lepau

The house is divided by sections for each child after the parents’ death, The sections are dismantled by loosening the baji system and relocated to be attached to their own house.

The reenactment saves time, labour and cost to assemble back together instead of building a new construction system for the house.

advantages of Post and lintel construction

achieve linear planning of timber skeleton structure allows flexibility for internal structures to be added according to user’s need ●

many possibilities

to architectural layout unit

●

adjustability and adaptability of housing units over time

●

allows buildings to accommodate new functions

Q2: Why free plan design in vernacular architecture is essential in maximizing the effectiveness of urban housing spaces?

●

●

Enable dismantling, assembling and relocating of structural components to respond to local climate and user’s needs.

Responds to what cannot be predicted - wild fluctuations socially, economically and environmentally.

5.

Building frameworks What type of building frameworks in vernacular architecture contribute in expansion of urban housing in terms of space or units?

Additive system in traditional rumah Melayu The core house is the rumah ibu, which is extended when addition is needed.

The simple roof of the bumbung panjang enables different addition possibilities.

Addition by lean-to-roof block (Lim Jee Yuan, 1991)

Addition by by selang (Lim Jee Yuan, 1991)

Expansion by adding similar but smaller bumbung panjang house form (Lim Jee Yuan, 1991)

Common addition sequences in traditional rumah Melayu

Rumah ibu

Serambi gantung

Selang and dapur

Rumah ibu

Serambi gantung

Dapur

Rumah ibu

Serambi gantung

Courtyard and rumah tengah

Lepau

Lepau

Dapur

Anjung

Anjung

Additive system in traditional Japanese houses

Expansion takes place in two directions: - Long section - as in the Malay house, by the simple addition of a structural bay.

- Short section - a lean-to roof along the outer edge of the main roof is usually attached to the short section if a narrower addition is needed.

Expansion by adding similar but smaller bumbung panjang house form (Lim Jee Yuan, 1991)

Additive system in traditional Japanese houses

Expansion takes place in two directions: - Long section - as in the Malay house, by the simple addition of a structural bay.

- Short section - a lean-to roof along the outer edge of the main roof is usually attached to the short section if a narrower addition is needed.

Original main hall (Rashid, 2015)

Extension for worship hall (Rashid, 2015)

Integrated worship hall (Rashid, 2015)

Process of interior space expansion by hisashi (lean to roof) in a Japanese structure. The sequences show how the interior space was expanded while the structure of the principal hall remained in its original condition

● ● ●

the idea of an incremental dwelling achieve maximum utilization and minimum use of resources the users can expand the original house when the family grows, rather than buying a new house which can be a burden to afford.

Free plan

Modularity

Adaptable and Modular System

Interlocking components

Building Framework

based on the time factor and the fact that life is enacted in dynamic processes a process-based architecture rather than a finished article is provided the house is not a final product, but rather changes and grows along with the inhabitants

potential solution?

affordability of urban housing

Divergent Dwelling Design (D3) a proposed mass housing system based on modularity and adaptability flexibility according to the principles of vernacular Malay houses.

flexible open plan design & modularity different spaces can be arranged and rearranged freely with the use of partitions, suiting the needs of the occupants

potential solution?

affordability of urban housing

"Timber Hearth" a building system that uses prefabrication to help DIY home-builders construct their own dwellings without needing to rely on professional or specialized labor

prefabrication & interlocking timber components centralizing the complex service areas of a building into a prefab core remaining construction (including building the floor platforms, partition walls, facade, and roof) can be completed by the homeowners by timber-frame methods

potential configurations for the concept allows for surrounding spaces to be altered over time as the needs of the inhabitants change & join multiple cores together to accommodate larger applications.

can this concept be translated to real life practice?

Conclusion The findings of this research shows that it is promising that the characteristics of modular and adaptable systems in vernacular architecture can be adopted in tackling the affordability of urban housing.

In fact, several companies have started proposing concepts which resonates to the findings our research such as “Timber Hearth” (DIY timber prefab homes) and “Divergent Dwelling Design” (D3) which is a modular and adaptable mass housing concept.

However, whether or not these concepts can be turned into real world practice, still requires further research.

Thank you!

Using the solutions of the past, to solve problems of the future

References 1.

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Hamid, J. (2017). Housing: (un)affordability is key issue. New Straits Times. Retrieved September 19, 2018, from https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2017/11/307562/housing-unaffordability-key-issue Gan, H. B., Chee, H. F., & Hamid, Z. A. (2015). Unleashing the potential of traditional construction technique in the development of modern urban mass housing. Malaysian Construction Research Journal, 16(59). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297088932_Unleashing_the _potential_of_traditional _construction_technique_in_the_development_of_modern_urban_mass_housing Koon Chong, P. (2017). Here's Why Malaysians Can't Afford a House. Bloomberg. Retrieved September 23, 2018, from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-10/here-s-why-you-can-t-afford-a-house-central-bank-tells-malaysia Rashid, M. & Ara, D. R. (2015). ‘Modernity in tradition: Reflections on building design and technology in the Asian vernacular’, Frontiers of Architectural Research, 4(1), 46-55. doi:10.1016/j.foar.2014.11.001 Salfarina, A.G., Nor Malina M. & Azrina, H. (2011). ‘Trends, Problems and Needs of Urban Housing in Malaysia’, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, Vol:5, No:2, pp.227-231.

Yusof, A. M., Chai, C. S. & Johan, J. (2015). Housing Affordability Among Potential Buyers in the City of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate, 547-555. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-46994-1_45 Jack, M. (2018). This Concept Uses a Pre-Fabricated Timber System to Enable Modern, Self-Built Homes. Acessed 25 October 2018 from https://www.archdaily.com/896439/this-concept-uses-a-pre-fabricated-timber-system-to-enable-modern-self-built-homes