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• Vernacular architecture


  • Relies on the use of local materials and knowledge to construct buildings, usually without the supervision of a professional architect
  • Serves immediate, local needs
  • Reflects local traditions
  • Influenced by the materials available in its particular region
• Vernacular architecture is not a particular architectural movement or style, but rather a broad category, encompassing a wide range and variety of building types, with differing methods of construction
• Diurnal climates


  Climates with significant temperature changes between day and night
• Thermally light structures for hot and humid climates

  • Designed to avoid heat accumulation during the day
  • Constructed with materials that do not store heat well
  • Feature design elements that promote ventilation (e.g. large windows or vents) to allow for air circulation and cooling in the evening
• Thermally heavy structures for large temperature variations

  • Designed to moderate indoor temperatures
  • Constructed with materials that have high thermal mass (e.g. stone or concrete) to absorb heat during the day and slowly release it at night
  • Helps keep the building warm into the night
• By understanding and responding to diurnal climate patterns, architects and builders can create structures that are energy-efficient, comfortable for occupants, and harmonious with their environment
• Climate-responsive architecture


  An approach to building design that takes into account the local climate and aims to create structures that are energy-efficient and comfortable for occupants
• Structural requirements of a residential building

  • Buildability
  • Structural Stability
  • Durability
  • Thermal Insulation
  • Sound Insulation
  • Weather Resistance
  • Air Tightness
  • Aesthetics
  • Flexibility
• Buildability


  The practicality and ease of construction using available techniques and materials
• Structural Stability


  The ability of the structure to remain intact and withstand loads it is designed for, including environmental stresses like wind and seismic activity
• Durability


  The capability of the building and its components to resist wear and tear, deterioration, or decay over time
• Thermal Insulation


  The effectiveness of a building in reducing heat transfer, helping maintain a comfortable indoor temperature regardless of outside conditions
• Sound Insulation


  The capacity of a building to reduce noise transmission from outside or between different rooms and areas within the building
• Weather Resistance


  The ability of a building to withstand weather conditions such as rain, sun, wind, and snow without degradation
• Air Tightness


  The property of a building that prevents unwanted air leakage in or out of the building, contributing to energy efficiency and comfort
• Aesthetics


  The visual appeal of a building, including its design, color, shape, and style
• Flexibility


  The ability of a building to adapt to changing needs or requirements, such as reconfiguration of spaces or addition of new features
• Primary ingredients in concrete:

  • Cement
  • Sand or fine aggregate
  • Gravel or course aggregate
  • Water.
• Concrete can be poured into molds to create various shapes and sizes.
• Stone Masonry


  • Sandstone and limestone were the two most common materials, although flint, slate and granite were also used
  • Material selection would greatly depend on the geographical location, ability to be quarried out, and cut
• Random rubble


  The cheapest walls, with mortar laid in cement or lime mortar
• Variations of rubble walls

  • Random rubble
  • Random rubble laid to courses
  • Squared rubble
  • Squared rubble laid to courses
• Ashlar


  A style, not a material. Cut with great precision and laid on very thin mortar. Associated with more prestigious buildings.
• Ashlar


  • Often used with rubble by 'framing' at the edges at higher elevations, or surrounding windows
  • Ashlar was also used as a bay in a predominantly rubble elevation
  • Ashlar was typically a facing material because of the expense, and required structural backing such as brick or rubble
  • Some ashlar ran 'through' the wall (or ¾ length and full length header stones that tie in the outer skin), although some were fixed with iron ties
• Common Applications in House Construction

  • Enduring structures
  • Architectural features
  • Historic solid walls and rubble walls (still applicable for simple structures like garden walls and stone fencing)
• Stone Masonry


  • Durability
  • Aesthetics
  • Expensive (often used in bespoke designs for wealthier clients)
• Bricks


  Traditionally, bricks were relied on for many of the load-bearing and internal elements of a home, including the foundations and interior walls. With contemporary construction, bricks are predominantly used as the outer skin on cavity wall construction.
• Brick Material


  The predominant material used for brick is clay, but concrete and other materials can also be used.
• Brick Sizes


  • 215mm long, 102.5mm wide and 65mm high
  • Up to 337.5mm long, up to 225mm wide and 112.5mm high
• Nominal Brick Size


  225mm x 112mm x 75mm (includes the mortar joint)
• Mortar Joint Width


  10mm, modified slightly depending on the tolerance required in the manufacture of the brick
• Brickwork Strength


  Depends on the designed strength and the type of mortar and pointing used in the construction
• Frost Resistance Rating


  Must be used below damp-proof course (DPC) or ground level and in areas susceptible to frost, for example, copings
• Bricks


  • Good insulation (especially clay bricks)
  • Colour depends on impurities in the clay or pigments added to the mix. The overall colour of a wall is determined by brick colour, mortar colour, pointing and brick texture.
• Blocks


  Larger than bricks, with size determined by the weight a bricklayer can lift with two hands
• Common Block Size


  • 440mm × width of the wall × 215mm
• Wall Thickness


  Commonly between 65mm and 225mm
• Concrete Blocks


  Made from cast concrete. Portland cement is the binder. Water needed for the hydration process. Aggregates vary from shingle for high-density frost-resistant products to lightweight aggregates (e.g., exfoliated clay nodules and pulverized fuel ash). Recycled materials, such as post-consumer glass, slag cement, or recycled aggregate, can also be incorporated into the composition of concrete blocks. Some blocks are solid, while others are hollow (core may be filled with foam for insulation).
• Concrete Block Standards


  Precast concrete blocks should comply with the recommendations of BS EN 771-3.
• Concrete Blocks


  • Strength varies; must be checked for each specified type. Typically, High-density blocks with good compressive strength. Insulating blocks may provide minimal support. Care needed when supporting lintels for wide openings.