THESIS DESIGN RESEARCH PROCESS

TERM ASSIGNMENT
AR-461 RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

REVIVING CULTURE THROUGH

ARCHITECTURE
REFLECTION OF CULTURE IN ARCHITECTURE OF THE
GLOBALIZING WORLD

Rafia, AR-17003, Student of Pre-Final year.

Department of Architecture and Planning, NEDUET, Karachi.
18 August 2021.
 “Reviving Culture through Architecture.”
Other title options include:

(a) Global architecture and cultural identity.

(b) Loss of architectural identity to globalization.

Keywords:
Reverse globalization, modernism, cultural identity, traditional architecture, critical regionalism,
indigenous, fusion architecture.

Abstract:
The modern world and its technology have bought the whole world to one’s doorstep. Television,
internet and travel all have contributed towards people adopting towards new habits and adapting to
new surroundings. The phenomenon of globalization was never at such a pace as today. Food, shelter,
clothing, habits, social response, all contribute to form a culture that provides identity to the
individuals. When globalized, the essence of the place and identity is lost. Global architecture is an
evolving term that has set a standard of development through a certain type of architecture being
replicated around the globe, as a symbol of development and success standards. The replication of
such structure is leading to the diminishing of individual culture and identity of people. A thorough
and critical study and understanding of the cultural, traditional architecture in comparison to the
modern building and their critical elements is needed. These may also include the study of context
and social and cultural norms being practiced in the area. The modernization of cities has led to a
severe lack of culture and social identity of people and place, architecture has played an important
role in globalization of the world, it has adopted the new style of architecture and inspired it
worldwide. Different cultures have also adopted the modern style; however, the situation needs to be
vice versa. The modern building should be adaptive to the culture and needs of the people using it. It
is now to fulfill its role in reverse globalization as well. A fusion is needed to emerge that contains the
balance between global and local architecture. The idea is to create a system that keeps the elements
of the traditional architecture while adopting from the global world and adapting to the local climate
and area.

Introduction:
The rapid pace of progress in travel and communication gave birth to the concept of globalization that
now sets standards for the whole world to replicate be it in food, clothing or even architecture. This
concept has eradicated the element of culture of different regions from their architecture and the
connection it had with the environment and the geography. Specifically, in high rise complexes that
may contain different functions are only reduced to high steel and glass structures only.
Assumptions:
The research is carried out assuming Karachi as a cosmopolitan city in a developing country, in
attempts to make an identity as a global economic trade Centre. The recent architecture in Karachi,
especially in the business class is seem to be a replica of the standard global glass cuboid designs, this
may be due to the reason that the city is striving to build its image is a global urban city. It also may
be the reason that the architects have lack of interest in cultural studies and therefore treat space as
commercially beneficial as possible. It is also assumed that this type of architecture can greatly alter
the way off living of an individual associated with these structures. This alteration can continue and
result in loss of identity in culture, tradition and craft in the greater paradigm. It may also be the case
that the people of the city are not content with the situation and are greatly upset by the great contrast
that the city possess in its vernacular, regional architecture and the skyscrapers being produced and
portrayed as the Landmark identity of the city. However, these structures prove to be a mark of a
developed economy and their absence may result in lack of international identity. The architecture
that is produced right now does not take into consideration elements such as courtyards and jalis due
to the fact that these structures are fully air-conditioned. Instead of creating passive micro-climates
the climate of the building is controlled technically having great contrast with the outside
environment. This also affects the way people dress, interact, eat and go about their daily lives in
general.

Literature review:
The fight for identity in architecture, though has gotten hyped now, is not a new topic of interest for
theorists. Previous researches and studies have been done on the topic that provide a solid background
for further research in the field resulting in further progress on the topic research. Books and articles
on the topic of regionalism, culture and vernacular architecture are studied in combination with
literature on modern global architecture to provide a better understanding of the techniques and
strategies that are used while also providing a comparative study of what is local and global, their
differences, similarities and points of fusion, coalition and conflict.

Context Background of the Topic:

As travel and telecommunication became easier, and faster, traditions and culture along with
language, food and architecture also traveled and the term globalization of the world was developed.

* Globalization: It is described as the growing interdependence of the countries in terms of economies,

cultures, and populations, brought about by cross-border trade in goods and services, technology, and flows of
investment, people, and information.

Once the process of globalization started, the field of architecture was greatly affected. People would
replicate in their context what they would find attractive beyond the seven seas without having a
thought about the placelesness and the lack of identity that the structure would have. This started the
process of mass replication on the basis of aesthetics ignoring the ideas of culture, context and climate
in architecture.
In this process comes the high rise, The American idols of tall buildings having offices of
international businesses and economies. Slowly and gradually the grandeur that these tall buildings
possessed attracted the developing world as a statement of economic success and power. The
replication process starts which soon turns into a competition of the tallest building in the whole
world.

The idea of having the building taller and taller gave birth to new technologies with the advent of
steel as structural elements and glass as the curtains of privacy. Architecture would be reduced from
its term to mere structures of glass and steel as a portrait of success and power in economy rather than
the lives and culture of the people. The visual identity was somehow still taken in accordance and use
of local material was encouraged, however the culture and social norms were now no more a part of
these structures. These structures were now creating their own problems that would require solutions
in turn developing more issues.

The pointers of critical regionalism are inter-related. Religion, culture, material, forms; spaces all are
interdependent and related. Certain forms and passive modes of ventilation used in our vernacular
architecture did not only help the climatic part but were also socially active spaces and a part of our
culture. Courtyards and verandahs, used for sitting, cleaning rice and grains while the children played
in the courtyard created family bonds. Small gatherings would take place in these courtyards. They
bore trees of different fruits like guavas and sapodillas. Each house must had a tree of custard apple in
their courtyards.

Regionalism in architecture has been greatly explored before. It also proves o have ore points of
sustainability than only landscape and plantation. Use of local material passive ventilation, day light,
all contribute to lesser energy consumption making the environment more stable.

*Regionalism: it is the theory or practice of regional rather than global techniques of administration economic
or cultural systems.

*Modernism: a global architecture and design movement utilized new materials and advanced technology and
rejected old, traditional, historical ideas and styles, and ornamentation. Modernism emphasized function,
simplicity, and rationality, and created new forms of expression with a new aesthetic.

*Vernacular: architecture concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings.

Architecture has played a very important role in globalization of the world. The skylines of almost all
the urban cities have now started to look the same. But the need now is for architecture to play its
equally important role in reverse globalization and bring back the separate uniqueness to the
architecture of the place. The need is to undo what has been done. And create a fusion of traditional
and modern elements, creating more durable and sustainable architecture through the combination of
science, culture, modernity and tradition. The term “glocal” comes into development at this stage.

*Reverse Globalization: it is the opposite of globalization.it is another architecture movement that emphasizes
a sense of place, site, climate, culture and identity.

*Glocal: glocal is a fusion of the words “global” an “local”. It is used for architecture that is both global yet
characterized locally in its form and use of spaces.
These studies also show how architecture and in specific, regional architecture is not a “one design, fit all”
approach. Rather it is very personal. There are as much regionalisms as regions in the world. Regions that can
be defined on the basis and boundaries of language, culture, religion, cities, countries, depending on what the
region is talked about. When talking about climatic regions of Sindh it has a desert region, a coastal region and
humid regions of the interior Sindh but when culture is concerned, Karachi becomes a separate region and lower
Sindh and upper Sindh become separate regions.

The concept of critically regionalist, culturally responsive architecture is now not an alien concept but is being
practiced all around the world. Writers would quote examples from Paris, Singapore and also china now. They
study how the new forms being developed are catering to the modern needs while keeping the identity of the
place and context intact.

And not only skyscrapers and high rises, but each and every house had spaces that promoted culture but the
newer construction specially the rising interest in high-rise apartment due to increasing urbanization and
shortage of land in the city has now provided a one for all solution to the people of Karachi. One standard
apartment design caters to all families. These apartment complexes are very commercially driven and only
intend to use each square foot of area that can possibly be used. Culture is an important element for shaping
architecture but for this the professional culture of the architectural practice needs to be changed.

*Cultural Responsiveness: understand the values of a culture in order to inform and direct the design of
architecture that is responsive to that place and people, the cultural values are then translated into an
architectural language which serves to inform and direct the design process.

Problem Statement:
Globalization is a growing phenomenon in the modern developing world. Global architecture is an
evolving term. A standard is set as a symbol of success in economy and power. This has unified all
cities but has caused a greater loss of identity and place belonging in the developing world. The under
developed countries are rather the ones with indigenous communities living in their vernacular style
houses. The culture in these areas is rich and fully practicing. These countries in place of owning their
culture and showcasing about it, are investing their finances in what the country looks like, with tall
skyscrapers as the landmark of the city.

Taking the case of Karachi,. The shifting journey from the landmark being the Quaid’s mausoleum to
HBL plaza, MCB building and then the UBL building, a slow gradual change is observed in this
Pattern. Very slowly and over the years the global glass steel cuboid architecture has taken over. The
people have started to adapt to the new lifestyle in line with what the architecture brings. Example in
case of Karachi, there used to be courtyards or back yards that would not only ventilate the space but
it is a space for everyone. These courtyards are not only for climatic conditions but also serve as a
social function and have become a part of our culture. Certain elements were created in design
through hand crafts that is also slowly dying due to the increased interest in modernity and elements
that may be found in factory stores or are made by the machines.

Ideally a fusion is needed as seen in case of china, to be developed that caters the needs of the modern
an, the nostalgia of traditions along with the ideals of being responded culturally, climatically and
socially through architecture. This may totally disregard the ideas of the existing high rise skyscrapers
in the city or co-exist. When talked about traditional, vernacular or regionalist architecture, high rise
complexes have always been understudied and the ideas of cultural regionalism have always had a
 focus on smaller projects. This is due to the reason that high-rise is a completely imported idea from
the west.

Different questions arise that are needed to be further researched.

How can culture and tradition be adapted and reflected in the modern architecture of
the globalizing world?

Is globalization the cause of eradication of certain architectural elements and their relations to their
environments?

Is culture and tradition a part of architecture of a place?

Can the theories of modernism and the cultural ideas of architecture co-exist?

What happens to the international image of the city as an economic trade Centre when such global
architecture is not a part of the skyline?

Matrix Table:
Title Author Source Methodology Key findings Contribution to
literature review
Architecture Henry Van - Qualitative 1. Historical analysis of Provides insight on the
and Society, Brunt study urbanization leading to reasons of
1969. America’s concept of high development of the
rise structures glass cuboid structures
2. The human sources and as well as provides a
culture are a major driving contextual study on
source of architectural how these structures
development. are not out of context
developed in the west.
Flexible Robert Open House Qualitative 1. Architecture is not static Provides a contrasting
Architecture: Kronenbur International study but it should evolve with yet not contradictory
The Cultural g. Vol. 30, the development of study on the relation
Impact of 2005 technology and change in of culture and
human needs. architecture and how
Responsive
2. Similarly culture is also culture may not only
Building ever-evolving. And be the traditions but
architecture should the way of life in the
represent that change. region.
Globalization Ibrahim Journal of Qualitative 1. Local identity and Helps in development
challenges in Mostafa Architecture study. distinctiveness in built of techniques that
architecture Eldemery and Planning forms is responsibility of an further contribute in
Research, architect. the fusion of local and
Vol. II, 2009 2. The local architecture global architecture.
should not be kept in
isolation and adopt
techniques from modern
world to ensure the global
competition.
The Gasser Ain Shams Qualitative 1. Focuses on in-depth Understanding the
importance of Gamil Engineering study study of cultures in Yemen, study of cultures,
cultural Abdel Journal, Vol. Egypt and Morocco. providing pointers to
dimensions in Azim 9, 2018 2. Develops a relation look for when
between these cultures and studying vernacular
the design
their vernacular local architecture and
process of the architecture, strategies that can be
vernacular 3. Developing new design used to develop
societies strategies that would be architecture that is not
easily adaptable for the behind in global
people development yet easily
adaptable for the
people.
Architecture William L. Journal of Review. Lack of interest in culture Helps in identifying
and Culture: Porter Architectural and regional architecture in some key problems
Lessons from Education modern architects may be that carry on
the Past? Vol. 46, due to the fact that cultural becoming larger issues
1992. studies are not a part of of identity and culture
architectural courses; loss.
therefore new architects
have less interest in this
domain.
Journal of Sizheng Journal of Exploratory A case study of china and Provides precedents
Architectural Fan Architectural quantitative how Chinese elements and on what has been done
Education Vol. Education, study historic forms are blended in a specific cultural
46, 1992. Vol. 63, with modern architecture context to maintain
2009. and developed the modern their identity.
cityscape of china.

Research design process:

How can culture and tradition be adapted and reflected in modern architecture of the globalizing world.
The research aims towards the study of traditional craft, culture, material and forms to develop a linking
formula between these terms and architecture keeping in mind the rapid pace and ideals that globalization
has brought in. a qualitative approach to research is taken in consideration for a better and more in-depth
understanding of concepts existing in the specific culture and context of Pakistan.

Pakistan has numerous ethnic groups living in one country, each having their own culture, customs and
traditions. The vernacular architecture of Pakistan was always in line with the context or the geography of
the area as what climatic conditions it possessed and also the cultural and societal norms being practiced
in the certain group of people living in the area.

An ethnographic research design along with in depth case studies is adopted for the research. A detail
study of the culture and traditions of the specific group is to be carried out. In case of the region of
Pakistan, different ethnic groups need to be studied with focus on their beliefs, customs, social dynamics,
traditions and crafts through close observations, immersions and literature reviews and learn the
vernacular techniques and ideas to counteract certain climatic and cultural problems, in order to provide
for better modern, more sustainable and durable solutions. The city of Karachi, its dynamics, architecture,
forms, both historical and modern needs to be studied in depth. For this purpose different case studies
need to be studied and analyzed. Following case studies are selected for the particular design research.

Case Studies:
1. High-rise structures in Singapore:

Singapore has learned the art of combining their culture and beliefs with the modern global architecture.
The skyscrapers in Singapore are distinct in their identity and do not contrast with the beliefs, culture,
tradition and social actions of the people living in the context. Although the material of these used is
modern yet people have adapted to these forms easily due to the respect that these forms pay to their
beliefs and myths.

2. The developing cityscape of China.

Since the global boom in architecture of China, The Chinese forms of high-rise modern buildings pay due
respect to the traditional forms while the developing cityscape does not contradict with existing urban
scape. They maintain their own identity and have tried to adapt the high rise to fit into the Chinese culture
rather than adapting habits to fit into foreign forms.

3. Belapur Housing, Navi Mumbai:

The design for Belapur housing by Charles Correa pays great attention to the socio-cultural elements of
the context. Incremental housing, family units, private and public courtyards, all provide to be the
elements that form the individual culture and identity of the people.

4. Agha Khan Hospital, Karachi:

The agha khan hospital Karachi is a greater complex, though not a high-rise project it still provides
techniques and strategies for bringing in society, and culture into a public function space such as a
hospital while also providing modern day services and treatments in these structures.

5. Al-Azhar Gardens, Karachi:

Residential high-rise apartment blocks using modern structural technologies yet providing with
courtyards and verandahs that help connect the street culture of our society inside the complex. Even if
not fully in line with the principles and requirements of cultural regionalism, it is still an initiative in the
right direction in this city.

Process of research:
Being a more ethnographic research topic, interviews with professionals working in the fields along with
close observations of the society and the people are the methods of research to come up to a design
solution. The process of research goes as the following:
Identification of target groups:

The target group is the enterprises and international companies that now expand through countries and
continents, with their offices being built in these massive structures with their companies being reflected
through the architecture their offices have without taking into consideration the change in context and
socio-cultural elements of the region.

Methods of research:
Interviews:

Interviews with professionals can help in getting a deeper in-sight on the work, the limitations of
architects’ works on the field, the consequences, reactions and strategies that provide us with the reality of
a topic.

Trying to get an interview with architect Najeeb Omer, an architect based in Karachi working on
residential projects that fuse vernacular with the modern, the busy schedule of Najeeb Omer did not allow
for an extensive interview however questionnaire was structured for the interview as:
Q1: how long have you been in the field and since when were you interested in projects that were ore fusion rather
than the modern glass door raw concrete finish?
Q2: you mainly work on residence projects, when working with a client where do you think that you are limited and
bound to not fully explore the potential of the project?
Q3: have you ever taken up a project that is not in line with your ideas?
Q4: when talking about culture and architecture what architectural elements in your opinion are the defining
elements of our culture?
Q5: what are your opinions on high-rise housing projects being built in the city? Do you think these can be
approached with a more regional ideology?
Q6: is there any one project in Pakistan that you think is the market of critically regionalist architecture in the
country?
Q7: What are your opinions on commercial high rise buildings and skyscrapers being built in the context?
Q8: do you believe that these buildings are a marker of economic success and power and prove to be an identity
internationally?

Observations and Surveys:

Closer observations of the life of Karachi, surveys in old town that is still far from the globalized world,
with questions and observations identifying elements and spaces of interest for the residents. Spaces like
bethaks in a society, the staircase as a social space for interaction among women, the communal
courtyards for kids to play, all these spaces and other need to be studied in their deeper true essence.

Mapping:

Mapping out the data for a quick on glance survey, these maps may be of regionalist buildings in
the city, human activity centers in the city and other cultural elements that may help out in
selecting and understanding the site of the project to be built.

Secondary data sources:

Secondary data sources would include books, articles, news reports and any quantitative data that has
been recorded over the years through an organization which may help in better understanding and
comparison of times.

Data Analysis:
Since the method of study is qualitative, the data that is acquired is more dense and filled with ideas and
theories; therefore it cannot be sorted in numbers and set figures. The data that is collected needs to be
analyzed thoroughly to identify these and patterns and interpret the meanings to extract from it the part
that is most related and helpful in answering the research question.

A thematic analysis approach is considered to focus on the content and meaning of data and classify and
code the data to identify key themes and patterns that are helpful and useful for development of design
solutions.
Expected outcomes:
The research design is expected to result in a clear idea of patterns and theories regarding culture,
regionalism and global architecture and provide design solutions to the problem of identity loss in the
new developing architecture of the city. To develop a key set of ideas and design interventions studied
through case studies and analysis that can then formulate a connection between the local and global
architecture, keeping in mind the cultural aspect and its importance in developing of certain forms in
architecture.

The idea is to develop a clear understanding of what fusion architecture is, What elements are to be taken
from the modern globalizing architecture and what pointers are to be kept conserved in the traditional
architecture. As rapid development happens, new technologies come across that can alter design,
however, this is not the case for all technologies, some technologies can be adopted without interfering
with design elements, on the contrary providing more flexibility to the design, for example, better durable
structures are built with steel, though steel is not a traditional material to use for construction, using it as a
structural element may help increase the life of the building without compromising on the spatial and
visual elements.

Through this research a cultural Centre multi use design may be proposed that caters to the different
income brackets in the city while catering to not only the tradition, culture and historic values but also the
different modern needs of the people belonging to different age brackets and income groups. The design
thus created will be more relatable for the people, not only through nostalgia but also it also becomes
important to instill the values and to understand the importance of culture in the next generation. The
units should be distinct yet not separate from each other. The design should be feasible for all age groups,
living together in a family system while social life of the elderly and the children should also be paid
regard through design of certain public and semi-public spaces.

Architecture is not only what is seen through the eyes but It is what one feels in the space, through
analysis of certain cases it is analyzed that the modern interpretation of historic elements has had an easier
time in making its place among the people and adapting through the functions of daily life. A cultural
complex may be designed with different functions all catering to the intangible elements of architecture as
well as the tangible ones. This includes social public spaces, social semipublic spaces, elements for
climatic regionalism, encouraging the culture of family system, neighborhood colonies, larger open
grounds, roadside cafes and bethaks but also look out for the modern man’s needs of state of the art
schools, hospitals and colleges along with transit systems for easier commute and an aesthetic level that
still proves to become an international identity without the replication of a certain style.

Annotated bibliography:
Books:

1. Leo Hansen, Culture and Architecture: An integrated history, Cognella Academic

Publishing. 2017.

The book explores the change in architectural history and culture trough eras and the inter
relation between them. The book caters interests in art, history, culture, architecture,
 anthropology and foreign studies. The author keeps various great architectural monuments
through history under a microscope and through their study proves his points.

The book can be of great value as it explores the interdependency between architecture and
culture and also how architecture is a result of the society, its customs and traditions.

2. Amos Rapoport, House, Form, and Culture, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall, 1969.

The book is based on providing a balanced view and different perspectives on cultural influences
on architecture and urban development.
The author provides theories that correlate with the built environment, but also includes beliefs,
customs, traditions and socio-cultural forces.

3. Mark M. Jarzombek, Architecture of First Societies, Published by Wiley 2013.

A study of the material and socio-cultural evolution through the ages and how the material culture
of our forefathers of building, food, clothing and rituals was bound up by the mode of survival
obtained in a particular place and time.
The book traces the different human and cultural formations through the early civilizations and
their development throughout the world to for the built environment as we see today.

4. Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, In Praise of Shadows, Leete's Island Books, 1977.

The author explores the aesthetic in Japanese use of space where he explains and explores the
concept of architecture, jade and even food. He provides essays on Japanese societies and how
their certain customs, traditions and beliefs help in shaping the architecture and the overall built
environment of japan.

5. Marc Kristel, the New-Old House, 2017.

The author writes about his experience of renovating more than 250 homes ranging from North
America to Europe. Kristel shares his experience of how including culture along with a
modernistic approach helps to attain factors such as preservation, style and sustainability.

The book really provides an insight on how modern approach can be taken in design while
keeping the culture alive.

6. Marie-Therese and Christiansen, Bryan, Cultural Influences on Architecture, Louvain

School of Management, Belgium, 2016.

As globalism brings about an evolution in the architectural style of the world this book provides a
pivotal source for the research on the impacts of culture on architecture in terms of planning and
production. It revolves around the point that a society’s culture is a contributing factor to its
architecture and built environment.

The book is a great read for students and scholars finding latest research on the connection
between culture and architecture on a global level.
7. Adam Sharr, Reading Architecture and Culture, published by Routledge, 2012.

The author makes his point in saying that architecture is not a building only, but it includes in its
details and documents, beautiful insights of culture of the people that have participated in its
inhabitation, construction and design.

The book effectively shows that close readings of architecture and its materials can help
architects and students to appreciate and understand the context in which they work and its
relation to its architecture.

8. Sim Van der Ryn’s Culture Architecture and Nature, published by Routledge, 2013.

The author looks into the last fifty years and compiles a number of essays and addresses that
indicate the relative inter-dependency of culture and architecture, individually and collectively
with nature and environment.

The book greatly helps to learn the sustainable culture ethics of the field of architecture.

9. Kingston Heath, Vernacular Architecture and Regional Design, Oxford: architectural

publisher, 2009.

Through this book the author defines and explains ways to understand the complexities of a
regional setting. He explains how architecture is deeply related to culture and environment and is
not just a practice of technicalities and aesthetics.
The book helps to understand and realize goals to preserve a socially and environmentally
responsible design and calls for an approach to design with best sustainable practice.

10. Chris Abel, Architecture and Identity, 2012.

The author being a teacher and critic on four continents provides a global view on changing
modern architecture. He talks about the local and global forces that shape architecture and the
complex relation between tradition and innovation. In his book he says, “Instead of tuning the
consumer to the machine we can now tune the machine to the consumer”

11. Maha Salman, Sustainability and Vernacular Architecture, 2018

The book talks about how in history culture has shapes vernacular architecture, and how
vernacular architecture when studied deeply connects to cultural, environmental and material
sustainability of the land that it is. He further explains that vernacular local architecture always
carried an essence of the place and the people and how modern global buildings lack this relation
and connection with the society and the environment.

12. James C. Anderson, Roman Architecture and Society, Johns Hopkins University Press,
1997.

The author explains the status of architects and builders in the ancient roan society, determines
the political, economic and legal factors that determine the type and place of new architecture of
the city. He also further explains how certain public and private buildings relate to the urban
space as whole.
 The book helps to understand how specific type of architecture provides an identity to the people
and people and their culture provides individuality to architecture.

13. Richard Rogers, A Place for All People, Canongate Books, 2019.

A place for all people is a collection of Rogers’ projects and ideas through his career; his work
has always been a blend of modernism, love of life and social justice. He discusses projects
ranging from the Pompidou of Paris to low cost housing units, whatever he has designed has
sensibly connected and amalgamated private use, public space and civic value.

His book is stated a must read for professionals and students trying to build spaces of sentimental,
cultural and civic value.

14. David P Handlin, The American Home: Architecture and Society, World of Art publishers,
1979.

The author describes the social value of residential architecture in particular and how it
links to public areas in large. He considers lawns and American cottages as embellishments to the
city scape.

Specifically talking about residential architecture, Handlin takes over the other perspective of
architecture that is, family, culture, sentiments and social value.

15. Henry Van Brunt’s Architecture and Society, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press,
1969.

A collection of essays by henry van brunt, discussing the rise in architecture of America during
the period of 1951-1958. He discusses the human, social, cultural and economic sources that
affect this development.

Journal Articles:

1. Amos Rapoport, On the Cultural Responsiveness of Architecture Journal of Architectural

Education, Vol. 41, 1984.

The author Rapoport known for his previous work on cultural responsiveness of the built
environment proceeds to talk about it in this paper, providing and clarifying the meaning of
culture and built environment and the relation between the two. He emphasizes on how culture is
important to shape the architecture but for that the professional culture of architecture has to be
changed.

2. Robert Kronenburg, Flexible Architecture: The Cultural Impact of Responsive Building,

Open House International Vol. 30, 2005.
 A contrasting but not contradictory view presented by Kronenburg on how architecture cannot
always be static rather it has to be dynamically adaptive of its changing surrounding, technology,
environment and the people’s needs and demands.
The paper provides a different perspective on culture and proves it to be ever evolving and that
architecture should also evolve with that.

3. Louis Martin, Building Myths or How to Preserve the Social Content of Architecture, University
of Minnesota Press, Vol. 2, 2014.

The article revolves around the ideas of the Montreal architect and artist Melvin Charney that the
conservation of architecture lies in the restoration of the building. He gave forward the idea that
architecture is not located in the building but the underlying and unconscious of the people. He
demonstrated the idea of mythical speech in meaningful architecture. His work was a blend of
built image and a narrative, his blend for the preservation of social content of architecture.

4. Ibrahim Mostafa Eldemery, Globalization challenges in architecture, Journal of Architecture

and Planning Research, Vol. II, 2009.

The article focuses on the challenges that globalization has brought upon the architects to ensure
local identity and distinctiveness while keeping up with the modern changing trend. The article
demonstrates approaches to cope with the trend of globalization and taking benefit from new
technology for design by acting globally and locally to not keep the local architecture isolated
from any modern world development.

5. Ruth Elizabeth, Culturally responsive architecture: a community center and housing for
Latinos in Roxbury, Kockler, 2012.

The published article emphasizes on how architecture can be a part and reflection of a certain
cultural community while also being blended part of the social system and the locality. The
objective may not be to favor a certain group of people but rather uplift and help them and build
bridges to other cultural elements of the community.

6. Gasser Gamil Abdel Azim and Ain Shams Engineering Journal, The importance of cultural
dimensions in the design process of the vernacular societies, Vol. 9, 2018.

The author in this article has presented his research on how culture plays a vital role in producing
design for certain communities. Keeping his focus on three communities for this research, that is
Shibam in Yemen, Edfu in Upper Egypt, and Draa in Morocco. The objective of his research was
to use vernacular prototypes to understand the culture of these communities and to reach a design
that is most easily adaptable for them.

7. Gülsüm Baydar, The Cultural Burden of Architecture, Journal of Architectural Education Vol.
57, 2004.

The author presents arguments rather than pointers in this article. He believes that though
architecture and culture share a historic link and relation. They do not always seem to be
connected. The burden of post-colonial search for identity is majorly taken by architecture;
 however it should’ve not been the only field for this.

8. William L. Porter, Architecture and Culture: Lessons from the Past?, Journal of Architectural
Education Vol. 46, 1992.

The author in this article raises important pointers and gives solutions to the problem faced by the
students due to the gap in cultural history and architectural design courses. Though these courses
being parallel can help students to provide better, effective and adaptable design solutions but the
gap results in students having a lack of interest and concludes in the not giving due to importance
to cultural response of their design.

9. Tania Davidge and John Gollings, Valuing the civic, Landscape Architecture Australia, 2020.

the articles provides reasons and methods to conserve the cultural, civic and sentimental value of a
public space taking help from the case study of Melbourne square, Australia. As the city around the
square starts to evolve, the cultural and civic value of the square as city’s main meeting space must be
maintained.

10. K. Sizheng Fan, Culture for Sale: Western Classical Architecture in China's Recent Building
Boom, Journal of Architectural Education, Vol. 63, 2009.

Discussing the rise of modern architecture in china, the author discusses how main stream modern
architecture is vernacularized in a different cultural setting. He examines the popularity growth of
western architecture in china with its historic social and cultural values while also looking into the
application of Chinese classical forms in modern constructed landscape of China.

Videos, Blogs and Webpages.

1. Architecture, Globalization, and Local Cultural Identity. January 4, 2006.

https://larryspeck.com/writing/architecture-globalization-and-local-cultural-identity/

The webpage article describes the early rise of modernity in architecture with respect to the
great modern architects and their works, the author has explained the beginning of identity
crisis in architecture that the world faces today.
2. Architecture Reflects Culture, November, 27, 2018.
https://pdhacademy.com/2016/03/28/architecture-reflects-culture/

Architecture is a product of culture, architects have always designed spaces keeping in mind the
needs of the place and people, user comfort has always been a priority in architecture. But
considering the time now, the change in culture is happening faster therefore a revolution in
architecture design is needed that not only fulfills the needs of the community but also adapt to
the fast changing needs and culture of the society.

3. How Architecture can Revive Identity, Community and Purpose, Louis Smith,
TEDxBeaconStreet, 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWepXTUb2W0

During the talk louis shares his own personal experience of growing up In a declining
neighborhood of Detroit, he tells how he, as a child, always dreamed of replacing all the
damaged buildings with sky soaring modern skyscrapers, but growing up and taking architecture
himself he realized how most of the modern structures were built without meaning.
He describes how those damaged buildings had meaning to themselves and a story to tell. These
buildings that everyone dreamed to replace were an identity to Detroit. Sharing his experience
as a practicing architect after this realization louis smith explains that architecture can
strengthen identity, community and culture when the structures and buildings are meaningful.

4. Does Technology affect Culture? - Diffusion of Innovation in Architecture, Sushant Verma,

TEDxBhabuneshwar, January 2019.
https://www.ted.com/talks/sushant_verma_does_technology_affect_culture_diffusion_of_in
novation_in_architecture

In the TEDx conversation architect Sushant Verma describes how technology has affected
culture and globalization in large and in architecture in specific. He believes that with the advent
of technology has come a boom in globalization, specially of architecture.

5. Architecture, Identity and Reconstructing Somalia, Omar Degan, TEDxEuston,2018.

https://www.ted.com/talks/omar_degan_architecture_identity_and_reconstructing_s
omalia

Discussing the struggles of practicing architecture in a post-war country, Omar Degan explains
his quest for identity. He believes that architecture is made great with cultural understanding
and community involvement. He also discusses how architecture can speak as a symbol of
renaissance and a representation of cultural identity.