Vernacular Romanticism3

Vernacular Romanticism

Geoffrey Scott indentified four fallacies underlying the architectural theory which are Geoffrey Scott indentified four fallacies underlying the architectural theory which are ‘romantic fallacy’, ‘mechanical fall‘romantic fallacy’, ‘mechanical fallacy’, ‘ethical fallacy’ and ‘biological fallacy’. In his romantic acy’, ‘ethical fallacy’ and ‘biological fallacy’. In his romantic fallacy he quoted “Naturalism in architecture is partly poetic but frankly aesthetic.fallacy he quoted “Naturalism in architecture is partly poetic but frankly aesthetic. He also explained how architecture is influenced by its history, its past culture which are long lived explained how architecture is influenced by its history, its past culture which are long lived and adapted, ultimately forming a part of the nature that surrounds them. The influence of the ‘Sense adapted, ultimately forming a part of the nature that surrounds them. The influence of the ‘Sense of Nature’ affects the architecture.”of Nature’ affects the architecture.” (11) “Romanticism derives its essence from literature which is “Romanticism derives its essence from literature which is neither practical nor scientific but poetry.”neither practical nor scientific but poetry.” (11) Bawa’s architectural style looks poetic rather than ’s architectural style looks poetic rather than manmade, which makes it a pure example of Naturalism. He designed spaces with existing art manmade, which makes it a pure example of Naturalism. He designed spaces with existing art and local materials. The romantic approach of his style of designing with nature is really and local materials. The romantic approach of his style of designing with nature is really comfortable to live and aesthetic with traditional and native forms. Figure 4 illustrates the sthetic with traditional and native forms. Figure 4 illustrates the entrance of the Kandalama Hotel, showing how Bawa integrated nature and the built form. The entrance of the Kandalama Hotel, showing how Bawa integrated nature and the built form. The entrance itself feels as if it is overall a part of the surrounding space which is why he was ofentrance itself feels as if it is overall a part of the surrounding space which is why he was often known as a “Romantic Vernacularist”known as a “Romantic Vernacularist”

Fig: 4 Entrance of the Kandalama Hotel, Srilanka, 1994Entrance of the Kandalama Hotel, Srilanka, 1994, Photographed by , Photographed by David Robson

11. Geoffrey Scott, “The Romantic Fallacy” “The Romantic Fallacy” in Architecture of Humanism: A Study in the History of TasteArchitecture of Humanism: A Study in the History of Taste, (Boston and New York, Houghton and Mifflin Company, 1914), (Boston and New York, Houghton and Mifflin Company, 1914), 67-81, 39-40

Fig 4: 4 David Robson, Entrance of the Kandalama Hotel, SrilankaEntrance of the Kandalama Hotel, Srilanka, 1994 c. From David Robson, Geoffrey Bawa: tGeoffrey Bawa: the master architect of Sri Lanka: Photograph (STIR publisher, September STIR publisher, September 17, 2019), accessed, May 10, 2020 .httpshttps://www.stirworld.com/think-opinions-geoffrey-bawa-thethe-master-architect- of-sri-lanka