Batammariba Traditional Architecture

The desire to revitalise indigenous architecture and the built environment through socio-cultural, political and bio-physical relevance has created a strong need for the understanding of cultures and traditional built environments, especially in the developing countries. This book aims to fill the gap in understanding indigenous knowledge in relation to the production and maintenance of traditional architecture and settlements. This can be achieved by examining how such knowledge is depicted and communicated by the traditional master builder in the absence of written language; as well as exploring the forms, quantities and measurements, structural processes, thermal control and waterproofing systems used by the builders, and ecological resource management. The synthetic process so characteristic of the work of the great master builders of yesterday should be the answer to present day architectural problems. The future generation of architects has much to learn from both past and present-day traditional builders. The study also suggests a wide range of possible strategies to mainstream technical know-how of indigenous knowledge systems.