Vernacular technologies applied to modern architecture

Various technologies as can be seen in vernacular architecture especially in Japanese traditional buildings are reviewed and the ways and means to have those technologies applied to the design of modern architecture are discussed with some examples. It is stressed that the vernacular technologies have been devised uniquely to the region where people lived to cope with the severe climate by inventing various devices without resorting to fossil fuels, thus the form of vernacular architecture representing regionalism of their own. For example earth sheltered buildings corresponds to thatched roof houses where evaporation from the wet surface gives rise to cooling effects in hot and humid climate. The optimum shape of sun shades is devised to a given orientation so that it allows the air to flow through for making ventilative cooling effective. Direct solar heat gain as representing a passive solar system is no less than fundamental for both vernacular and modern architecture with most appropriate design of geometry associated with wall orientation. Various suggestions are given for architects to consider how to apply vernacular technologies to the design of modern architecture.