CRITICAL REGIONALISM: A STUDY ON

TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS OF LUCKNOW

AND ITS’ CONTEMPORARY APPROACH

A Dissertation Submitted
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of

BACHELORS OF ARCHITECTURE
By
SONALI SRIVASTAVA
(1705181037)

Under the supervision of

Dr. RITU GULATI

TO THE
FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND
PLANNING Dr. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM
TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, LUCKNOW.
(Formerly Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Lucknow)
Session 2020-21
Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

ABSTRACT
Every civilization has unique character of its’ own with respect to time and space.
Since a major turn–over in architecture can be recorded in postindustrial period around the 1900’s, this
paper will specifically present the period of ‘Critical Regionalism’ which came as the reaction to
modernistic architectural movement .It will provide a background as to how it developed over a period of
time in various regions affecting the designers and the people.
Further the research will provide an account of its’ usage in present context, providing an in-depth
analysis of ‘Critically Regionalist’ traditional buildings of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh. The
different aspects of the region will be taken into consideration such as the unique ‘Awadhi Culture’ that
has evolved over years, in tandem to the unique climatic layer of the place- ‘Composite Climate’. Not
only will it provide a comprehensive study of the place but also relate that study to the traditional
architecture of the place that is disintegrating day-by-day. Hence the inferences derived from the
following study will give a detailed description as to how to adopt those characteristics in today’s
environment in response to changing time, climate and needs. This would not be the set of rules that must
be followed but an analogy for the reader to know ‘why critically studying the environment is
important?’ for in the end user-group is the focal point.
Hence this critical analysis is required to retain the character of place which would link people of
Lucknow to their present, past and future.

Keywords: Critical Regionalism, Awadhi Culture, Awadhi Architecture, Colonial Architecture, Climatic
Conditions, Building Typology, Vernacular Architecture, Ecology and Environment, Contemporary
Architecture.

3
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii
ABSTRACT iii

4
Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

LIST OF TABLES

5
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

LIST OF FIGURES
Figures
S.NO NAME SOURCE PAGE
NO.
Figure 1 Timeline Author 7

Figure 2 Norte Dame https://7omcu3a78zp40kl 7

ds2w28klr-
wpengine.netdna-
ssl.com/wp-
content/uploads/2019/04/
Notre-Dame.jpg
Figure 3 Villa Savoye https://www.archdaily.co 7
m/84524/ad-classics-
villa-savoye-le-
corbusier/5037e69428ba0
d599b00035d-ad-
classics-villa-savoye-le-
corbusier-image?
next_project=no
Figure 4 Triton Hotel https://www.archdaily.co 7
m/460721/remembering-
bawa/52b0a67ce8e44ede
33000044-remembering-
bawa-image
Figure 5 The Methodology flow-chart Author 9
Figure 6 The Summary Chart Author 20

6
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I
BACKGROUND

According to Winston Churchill, “We shape our buildings thereafter they shape us.” This statement, if
understood, describes the unique impact of the environment upon the user group though the environment
may be shaped by the user itself, i.e. both the user and the environment are inter-dependent upon each
other.
Our society has been changing its lifestyle with respect to time. Thus, the change can itself be recorded in
the environment they live in, ‘architecture’ being the one of the finest example of the same.
Architecture being the ever changing process that defines the way humans improvises their environment
and the way of life they adopt at a particular time in order to survive. Hence built-environment can be
regarded as a model that can teach, be improved upon and thereby have a huge impact on the lives of the
people.
Architectural designs are ever changing process as Ken Yeang states in his book “Tropical Urban
Regionalism: Building in South-East Asian Countries”.
“By being, work-in-progress, the designs and buildings cannot be held as being neither definitive nor
conclusive but serve as a monographic set of designs and buildings recording the cycle of
work.”[ CITATION Ken87 \l 1033 ].
Therefore, a gradual shift is recorded in timeline of architecture with changing time, culture, socio-
economic, political status which has molded it in one way or the other.
There has never been a spontaneous jump which can be justified by the following timeline CENTURY:

1980’s

19TH
CENTURY
INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION POST MODERNISM

MODERNISM HISTORICISM
HIGH-TECH
NEO-MODERN
CRITICAL -REGIONALISM
POP-ART, MEMPHIS
MILANO
PRE-MODERN DECONSTRUCTIVISM
ERA

FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4

7
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

FIGURE 2 FIGURE 1: Timeline; Author

Pre-modern era was preceded by the modernistic era and henceforth post-modern era came into existence
which also had its’ further sub-divisions.
Since Modern Movement was the saga of celebrating the internationally approved designs without any
consideration to context in which it was executed, there emerged the need of going back to the roots and
bringing forward the idea more comprehensible to the society and one that critically served the needs of
the people of a specific region.
Hence Critical Regionalism is one of the post-modernist movements which emerged as the reaction to
modernistic movement.

Critical Regionalism:
Soon after the discussions of 1950’s (criticism of modernistic approach) and 1960’s (viable community
and human connection through planning[ CITATION Had10 \l 1033 ]) a new theory of critical
regionalist architecture came into existence.
According to Alexander Tzonis and Liane Lefaivre ‘Critical Regionalism’ is the ability to create a sense
of place i.e. the ability to integrate global architecture and technological developments into contents
emanating from place.(Shadar, 2010)
It is an architectural approach described as the phase of post-modernist movement against the modernist
movement i.e. internationalism. Internationalism consisted of parameters that could be followed
anywhere in the world, it had a set visual style i.e. same material usage, color usage etc. but critical
regionalism took into consideration the site and the cultural background of the place which eventually
affects the buildings as a whole; it talked about the unique identity of the architecture.
This consisted of the buildings that were site specific and context specific which helped the user to
connect more to the building. Hence these buildings can be said to be more communicable to the region
and its users.
As Ken Yeang states in his book “The designer’s task lie in being able to uncover and identify that
collective heritage of ideas.” (Yeang, 1987)

NEED

Aga Khan rightly states, “We cannot make the world safe for democracy unless we make the world safe
for diversity.”
India being land of diversities does not require the global model but a model that is unique to the region.
Therefore architecture of each region has character of its own; its’ unique identity which makes the user
more securely connected to the place.
Hence the need of study is to explore the architectural character of city of Lucknow with respect to its
culture, geography, Socio-economic and political factors. This would lead to maintenance of its
disintegrating identity in terms of architecture by providing a link between past and future.

AIMS

This dissertation aims at providing an understanding of critical regionalist approach that can be used in
context of Lucknow thereby forming the basis of contemporary architecture if Lucknow’s residential
architecture.

OBJECTIVE

 To explore the basics of critical regionalism and various functional connections involved in
designing for the same.

8
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
 To analyze various buildings using similar approach both at national and international level.
 To understand the history and culture of Lucknow along with the climatic layer of the place.
 Further to study the relationship between the traditional buildings and the elements thus
involved.
 To study the usage of those elements in contemporary architecture.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

Scope:
The scope of study is limited to the city of Lucknow. Hence the study will explore various traditional
building typologies present Lucknow. It will also cover the study of vernacular typologies that prevalent
in the region so as to identify the climate responsive elements.

Limitation:
The study will only limited to the critically regionalist building typologies and will not incorporate the
regions having cold and polar climate.
The study will not incorporate the structural and detailed technical aspects of various typologies.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

SELECTION OF CASE
SELECTION OF CASE
FORMATION
FORMATION OFOF STUDIES
STUDIES BASED
BASED ON
ON
BACKGROUND
JOURNALS
JOURNALS INFERENCES BACKGROUND
INFERENCES FROM
FROM COLLECTED
COLLECTED DIRECT
DIRECT CONNECTION
CONNECTION CASE
CASE STUDY FROMPARAMETRES
THOSE
STUDY FROM
THOSE
INDIA;
INDIA;
PARAMETRES
BOOKS
BOOKS DATA
DATA INDIRECT
INDIRECT CONNECTION
CONNECTION REGION WITH HOT AND
REGION WITH HOT AND
PERIODICALS INCLUSIVE HUMID
HUMID CLIMATE,
CLIMATE, COMPOSITE
PERIODICALS INCLUSIVE CONTEMPORARY
CONTEMPORARY CLIMATE
COMPOSITE
ARTICLES
ARTICLES CONNECTION
CONNECTION CLIMATE
AUDIO-VISUAL SOURCES
AUDIO-VISUAL SOURCES LANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPE CONNECTION
CONNECTION
FORWARDCONNECTION
FORWARDCONNECTION

STUDY
STUDY OF PARAMETERS
OF PARAMETERS
COLLECTION OF DATA
COLLECTION OF DATA OR
OR DESIGN
DESIGN
CONNECTIONS
CONNECTIONS

FIGURE 5: Flow-Chart for Methodology

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

 What is critical regionalism and how is it applicable in environment of Lucknow?

 What were the various design components and design strategies used in the traditional
architecture of the Lucknow?
 How can the precious culture of Lucknow be preserved keeping in mind the advancing time and
the increasing needs?
 How can we interpret those in today’s time?
 How will those design strategies help in providing solution for determining the contemporary
approach that can be used in Lucknow?

9
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
 How this study can help to revive the unique character of Lucknow in contemporary residential
sector of the place?

LITERATURE REVIEW TABLE:

S. AUTHOR TITLE CONCEPTUA TYPE PARAMETER PAG RELEVAN

NO. , YEAR L/APPLIED ANALYZED E CE OF
TOPIC
1. MOHD. REVIVING THE CONCEPTUAL RESEAR HISTORY OF 4-11 THE TOPIC
FIROZ FOOD STEETS CH LUCKNOW DESCRIBES
OF LUCKNOW PAPER PROVIDES
INFORMATI
ON ABOUT
HISTORY OF
LUCKNOW –
AS IT WILL
FORMULIZE
OTHER
FIELDS
SUCH AS
THE
IMPORTANC
E OF FOOD
IN
LUCKNOW
AND HOW
THE
EVOLUTION
TOOK
PLACE.
2. FAREEN BIOCLIMATIC CONCEPTUAL RESEAR THE CLIMATE OF 330- PROVIDES
BANO BUILDING CH LUCKNOW AND 340 INFORMATI
DESIGN PAPER VARIOUS ON ABOUT
GUIDELINES PARAMETERS HOW CAN A
FOR RELATED TO CLIMATE
LUCKNOW DESIGNING RESPONSIVE
CITY: USE OF TYPOLOGY OF A BUILDING
VARIOUS BUILDING CAN BE
CLIMATE BASED IN DESIGNED
ANALYSIS LUCKNOW IN
METHODS LUCKNOW

3. MAHI CRITICAL CONCEPTUAL RESEAR WHAT IS 1-6 BASIC

BANI REGIONALISM: CH CRITICAL INFORMATI
STUDY ON PAPER REGIONALISM? ON ABOUT
CONTEMPORA AND ITS’ ROLE I WHAT IS
RY BUILDINGS. CRITICAL
RESIDENCIAL REGIONALIS
ARCHITECTUR M AND ITS
E OF ADAPTATIO
KHARTOUM- N FOR
SUDAN APPLICATIO
N
4. RITU SUSTAINABLE CONCEPTUAL RESEAR THE 1-5 THE
GULATI ISSUES: CH VERNACULAR VARIOUS
ASPECTS OF PAPAER HOUSES OF DISTINCTIVE
COMFORT IN LUCKNOW FACTORS
VERNACULAR THAT EXIST
HOUSES OF BETWEEN
LUCKNOW VARIOUS
TYPOLOGIES

10
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
OF THE
BUILDING
AND ITS’
IMPACT ON
HUMAN
PHISIOLOGY
.
THE
EXAMPLES
INCLUDE
THE
FIRANGI
MAHAL, THE
MUD
HOUSES
LOCATED IN
FRINGES OF
THE CITY.
5. RITU COMPARATIVE ANALYTICAL RESEAR THE CLIMATIC 1-8 TO KNOW
GULATI, THERMAL CH CONDITIONS OF ABOUT THE
YATIN PERFORMANC PAPER DIFFERENT THERMAL
PANDAYA E OF HOUSES LOCTED RESISTANCE
VERNACULAR LOCATED AT PROVIDED
HOUSES AT VARIOUS BY THE
LUCKNOW: A PLACES IN THREE
QUANTITATIV LUCKNOW. DIFFERENT
E TYPOLOGIES
ASSESSMENT PRESENT IN
& DOMINANT LUCKNOW
MULTIPLE NAMELY:
STRATEGIES THE
COURTYARD
HOUSE, THE
COLONIAL
RESIDENTIA
L
QUARTERS,
AND THE
SEMI RURAL
MUD
HOUSES.
6. HADAS EVOLUTION CONCEPTUAL RESEAR BACKGROUND 227- TO FORM
SHADAR AND CRITICAL CH OF CRITICAL 242 THE BASIS
REGIONALISM PAPER REGIONALISM OF CRITICAL
AND VARIOUS REGIONALIS
DEFINATIONS T APPROACH
RELAYTED TO IT

7. KENNETH TOWARDS A CONCEPTUAL ESSAY THE SIX POINTS 16-30 TO

FRAMPTO CRITICAL OF CRITICAL ANALYZE
N REGIONALISM: REGIONALISM I VARIOUS
SIX POINTS ARCHITECTURE ASPECTS OF
FOR AN CRITICAL
ARCHITECTUR APPROACH
E OF WITH
RESISTANCE RESPECT TO
ARCHITECT
URE
8. KEN TROPICAL CONCEPTUAL BOOK CRITIAL 1-95 TO DEVELOP
YEANG URBAN REGIONALIST AN
REGIONALISM: APPROACH IN UNDERSTAN
BUILDING IN TROPICAL DING OF
SOUTH-EAST AREAS CRITICAL
ASIAN CITY APPROACH
IN
ARCHITECT
URE WITH
RESPECT TO
REGIONS
LYING IN
TROPICAL
BELT
9. RACHNA CASE STUDY: CONCEPTUAL RESEAR THE HISTORY OF 88-115 TO BUILD
MEHRA LUCKNOW CH LUCKNOW AN

11
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
PAPER HISTORICAL
ACCOUNT
OF
LUCKNOW
10. SANYAM AN ACCOUNT CONCEPTUAL RESEAR THE DIFFERENT 473- THE
BAGHA, OF CRITICAL CH TYPOLOGIES OF 496 INFLUENEC
GAURAV REGIONALISM PAPER BUILDINGS IN OF CRITICAL
RAHEJA IN DIVERSE INDIA THAT HAD REGIONALIS
BUILDING A CRITICAL M IN INDIAN
TYPES IN APPROACH CONTEXT
POSTCOLONIA THROUGH
L INDIAN DIFFENET
ARCHITECTUR BUILDING
E TYPOLOGIES
IN
POSTCOLONI
AL INDIA.
11. BRYAN GEOFERRY CONCEPTUAL BOOK THE CRITICAL 8-189 TO IDENTFY
BRACE BAWA AND APPLIED REGIONALISTIC HOW
TAYLOR APPOACH CRITICAL
ADOPTED BY APPROACH
THE ARCHITECT CAN BE
IN VARIOUS APPLIED TO
BUILDING TYPES VARIOS
SPECIFICALLY BUILDING
LOCATED IN SRI- TYPOLOGIES
LANKA
VARYING
TYOLOGIES
12. SANOBAR THE CONCEPTUAL RESEAR MAJOR PUBLIC 1-10 THE
HAIDER ARCHITECTUR CH BUILDINGS OF IMAMBADAS
E OF THE PAPER LUCKNOW OF
IMAMBADAS LUCKNOW
IN WERE THE
LUCKNOW;IM GREAT
AMBADA EXAMPLES
SIBTAINABAD OF AWADHI
CULTURE,
CRAFTMANS
HIP,
ENGINEREIN
G,
MINUMENTA
L
IMAGINATIO
N AND INDO-
ISLAMIC
ARCHITECT
URE
13. XINLING RETHINK CONCEPTUAL MASTER USAGE OF 1-75 BASED ON
JIANG CRITICAL THESIS CRITICAL KENNTH
REGIONALISM REGIONALISM IN FRAMPTONS
:HOT SPRING DESIGN ’ SIX POINTS,
HOTEL DESIGN STRATEGY DESIGN
STRATEGY
BE
DEVELOPED.
14. RAM DESIGNING CONCEPTUAL RESEAR WHY CULTURE 29-31 THE
SATEESH CULTURALLY CH IS IMPORTANT? CULUTRAL
PASUPULE RESPONSIVE PAPER AND ASPECT
T BUILT RELEVANCE OF HELP AN
ENVIRONMEN ITS’ INDIVIDUAL
TS IN POST PRESERVATION TO
DISASTER CONNECT
CONTEXTS: TO A PLACE
TSUNAMI
AFFECTED
FISHING
SETTLEMENTS
IN
TAMILNADU,
INDIA
15. AISHWAR VERNACULAR CONCEPTUAL BOOK 1-231
YA TIPNIS TRADITIONS AND APPLIED

12
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
FORWARD :CONTEMPORA
ED RY
BYASHOK ARCHITECTUR
LALL E

16. INGY EL THE CITIES' CONCEPTUAL RESEAR

ZEINI IDENTITIES CH
BETWEEN PAPER
CRITICAL
REGIONALISM
AND
GLOBALIZATI
ON
17. MOHD THERMAL CONCEPTUAL RESEAR
FADHIL COMFORT OF CH
MD DIN, VARIOUS PAPER
YEEYONG BUILDING
LEE, LAYOUTS
PONRAJ WITH A
MOHANAD PROPOSED
OSS, DISCOMFORT
DILSHAN INDEX RANGE
REMAZ FOR TROPICAL
OSSEN CLIMATE

18. ALEXAND TROPICAL CONCETUAL BOOK 1-311

ER ARCHITECTUR
TZONIS,LI E :CRITICAL
ANE REGIONALISM
LAFAIVRE, IN THE AGE OF
BRUNO GLOBALIZATI
STAGNO ON
19.

LITERATURE STUDY REVIEW:

1. REVIVING THE FOOD STEETS OF LUCKNOW

This study provides a background of city of Lucknow, it gives information about various aspects
such as:
 Introduction of Lucknow
 Location: Centrally located as the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
 Historical Evolution: The Pre-British Period, the British Period, the After-
Independence Period.
 Geography and Climate: Composite Climate and the main geographic feature being the
Gomti River that divides the region into two i.e. the Cis-Gomti and the Trans-Gomti
region.
 Regional Linkage: Connected to Kanpur, Faizabad, Sitapur, and Allahabad by rails and
buses.
 City-Profile: 66% of land area to be used for the residential sector according to the
2001Master Plan.
 Socio-Cultural Aspect: Sham-e-Awadh, Aadaab-e –Lucknow, Dance and Music,
Craft ,Cuisine
 Socio-Economic Aspect: Chicken Embroidery, being one of the major industry.

13
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

2. BIOCLIMATIC BUILDING DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR LUCKNOW CITY: USE OF

VARIOUS CLIMATE ANALYSIS METHODS

This paper provides a comprehensive study on the climate of the Lucknow that has affected the
building typologies through centuries. The changing time has demanded for better living
solutions.
Thus for achieving the same the designer needs to look into providing a comfortable
environment (both physiological and psychological) to the user.
This study helps to achieve the same by analyzing the climatic conditions of Lucknow with the
assistance of Psychometric chart, Bioclimatic chart, Mahoney’s Table.
The vernacular of the place is also taken into consideration to bring out the climate- responsive
elements that were prevalent in the vernacular of the place. Hence a set of design guidelines is
produced that could rather be used by the designer to design the buildings of the place.

3. CRITICAL REGIONALISM: STUDY ON CONTEMPORARY RESIDENCIAL

ARCHITECTURE OF KHARTOUM-SUDAN

The study is based in Khartoum, Sudan with the perspective of providing a critical regionalist
design approach for Khartoum (where the context- related contemporary residential architecture
does not exist).
Khartoum has multi-cultural, multi-ethnic identity which is being ignored by the means of
globalization and modernization thus replacing the” Khartoum Style” by the “Foreign Style”.
Thus the essence of the paper is to provide a bridge between the gaps of the universal
civilizations with the native elements. The so called Khartoum style is represented by the
Arabic-African character along with an enclosure derived from that of Muslim-Arabs.
There are certain points that are derived from Frampton’s essay and are based on the analysis of
the same by the author. These points thus form the basis on which various case studies in the
paper have been done.
They points thus formulated are as follows:
 A preference for regional intentions over normative optimization.(Bani, 2018)
 The consciously bounded architecture.(Bani, 2018)
 More than a stenographic episode or sentimental historicism.(Bani, 2018)
 A responsiveness to local climate and conditions(Bani, 2018)
 Emphasis on tactile (Bani, 2018)
After the formulation of these points the case studies are carried out that include “The Wagdi
Residence”, “Dar Mubaraka” by Ar. Jack Ishkanes and “Abdel’s Residence”, “Abashar
Residence” by Ar. Abdel Moniem Mustafa.
These residences have a contemporary approach and are the production of climate, topography,
Culture (that is the lifestyle of the place).

4. SUSTAINABLE ISSUES: ASPECTS OF COMFORT IN VERNACULAR HOUSES OF

LUCKNOW

The paper describes the two important aspects of comfort both in terms of physiology and
psychology, the first being the thermal comfort and the second being the visual comfort. Both
the aspects are important for the user group to get used to the environment.
It talks about how a certain environment becomes interactive as soon as the visual comfort in
terms of “light illumination of the place, spatial distribution of daylight illuminance, luminance

14
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
ratios, and shape from shadows, color rendering, glare and visual noise”(Gulati, n.d.) , is
achieved.
More over the geometry, form, configuration of spaces also affects the climatic comfort and the
visual comfort. To bring out the practical implication of the studies the author has taken up the
case studies itself located in Lucknow which includes the semi- urban settlements, a typical
house(The Firangi Mahal).They are located in the fringes of the city and the main city
respectively.
Hence the paper brings out the fact that the vernacular of the place is best story teller of the by-
gone tales and reviver of the existing pattern. It could help in finding a solution to the prevailing
problems of climate and other issues that have resulted due to globalization.
And thus these tales can bring out the unique identity of the place that might have got lost with
the expanse of time.

5. COMPARATIVE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF VERNACULAR HOUSES AT

LUCKNOW: A QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT & DOMINANT MULTIPLE
STRATEGIES

It is the comparative practical study that is based in Lucknow itself. The three building
typologies of the three different place in the same region i.e. Lucknow have been adopted to
compare the thermal responsiveness of the buildings (Typology which is more responsive than
the other two).the three building typologies being the courtyard houses, the colonial bungalows,
semi- urban rural houses. After that the sub categories within the three typologies have been
analyzed and certain parameters are derived based on which further study has been carried out.
The thermal insulation and fenestration work in tandem in these buildings to achieve certain
level of thermal comfort (an important aspect of the paper).
The varied site locations has helped to extract information about the different cultures of the
place, the macroclimate, the political order of the place and thus the climate responsive elements
used by the building typologies to respond to the context of the place.

6. EVOLUTION AND CRITICAL REGIONALISM

The paper provide an overview as to what is the difference between the evolutional architecture,
vernacular architecture and critical regionalist architecture. The prior mentioned aspects come
into play with the criticism of modern architecture at around 1950’s.In 1968 people considered
the freedom and democracy in planning, where evolutional architecture would be able to change
and adjust to the diverse and changing needs of the residents.(Shadar, 2010). “The height of
process occurred in 1964, when vernacular architecture was presented in the ‘Architecture
without Architects’ exhibition (MOMA, New York).”(Shadar, 2010)
The theory of critical regionalist architecture came into being in 1980’s where it was coined by
Alexander Tzonis and Liane Lefaivre. Different types of examples have been used to define the
critical regionlistic approach

7. TOWARDS A CRITICAL REGIONALISM:SIX POINTS FOR AN ARCHITECTURE OF

RESISTANCE

The opening lines of the essay is a quoted paragraph which provides the account of the entire
essay such as the following lines said by Paul Ricoueur in History and Truth,
“The paradox how to become modern and return to source; how to revive an old dominant
civilization and take part in universal civilization.” (Frampton, 1983)

15
Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
The six distinctive points by Frampton brings out the satire on how the buildings have changed
with respect to the following:
 “Culture and Civilization”(Frampton, 1983)
Here a clear distinction between the culture and civilization is provided by the writer.
According to him civilization is instrument of different cultures and “collective
psycho-social reality”.
Furthermore he adds to his description that post- industrial period is ore about fulfilling
of needs rather than expression of deeds. This can be proved by the symbolic elements-
“the free standing high rise” and “the serpentine freeway”.
 “Rise and fall of Avant-Garde”(Frampton, 1983)
Avant –Garde is experimentation of new ideas, it is different from religion, and it is
liberative self-expression. Around 1920’s till beginning of 1st world war “the wars to
end all wars”; cultural Avant-Garde emerged in from: Purism, Neo-Plasticism, and
Constructivism.

Since there was struggle between socialism and capitalism (“with the manipulative
mass –culture and politics”); therefore modern liberative Avant-Garde cannot exist
which would speak of the break of the middle class.
The end of it can be recorded in post-modernistic period because the building were
feeding more to media rather than being an expression.
Hence technology had become the world culture projecting a historical totality, a
“world”.
 “Critical regionalism and world culture”(Frampton, 1983)
According to Kenneth Frampton, critical practice is only sustained if it assumes arriere-
grade (i.e. it does not pick up blindly the elements from the past or copy from the
present).
Kenneth Frampton also rightly quotes the following:
“It is different from both the optimized advanced technology and nostalgic historicism
or the glibly decorations”.
“Critical-Regionalism depends on maintaining a high-level of critical self-
consciousness.
Thus, inspiration can be found in:
1. Range and quality of local light,
2. Topography of the given site,
3. Tectonics derived from the structural mode,
4. Economic and behavioristic gratification.
 “The resistance of place-form”(Frampton, 1983)
“The place or space is derived from the boundary. A boundary is not something at
which something stops but as Greeks recognized ,the boundary is that from which
something begins presenting” (Frampton, 1983) .
Hence dwelling can only take place in a domain that is clearly bounded making it
critically regionlistic.
 “Culture versus nature: Topography, context, climate, light and tectonic
form”(Frampton, 1983)
The building acts in accordance to the specific culture of the site. The building that is
located into the site has many layers such as the prehistory of the place, the
archeological past and its subsequent civilization and transformation across time.
 “The visual versus the tactile”(Frampton, 1983)
Experience is the most important aspect and it has the potent capacity to limit the
universal technology.

16
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
Hence the important tactile experiences being the intensity of light, darkness, heat and
cold, the feeling of humidity, the aroma of the material, the presence of masonry.

8. TROPICAL URBAN REGIONALISM: BUILDING IN SOUTH-EAST ASIAN CITY

The book talks about the regions that are bounded in the tropical belt (equatorial belt) i.e. the
region lying between the tropic of cancer and tropic of Capricorn. This region generally
experiences hot and humid climate, the rainfall of the region is also optimum with humidity
levels high.

CHAPTER 1
In the first chapter of the book, Yeang discusses the relevance of context related architecture.
Though his study is based specifically to regions of Malaysia such as Singapore, Kuala Lampur;
it even provides a view of neighboring regions with similar climatic patterns (hot and humid
type of climate).
Foremost he talks about why there are generic buildings that have nothing to do with the context
and are unable to establish their unique identity. The reason according to him is negligence of
the designer towards the environment and the socio-political, economic constraints. But could
be improved upon if they work with whatever they have in hand. These regions are also chosen
because they are part of developing nations and these nations provide better opportunity for
developmental discourse. Secondly on their discourse to development they have lost their
unique identity.
“The proposition simply provides an analogy that can be used for design synthesis and use in
analysis of the architectural heritage.”

CHAPTER 2
Since the first chapter provides a brief view as to why contextual study is important by
summarizing environment as a barrier between the indoor and the outdoors.
The second chapter deals with pin pointing certain connections in design that are necessary to be
identified for a contextual study of architecture.
The connections include the following:
 A direct connection: “Involves the direct creative development and adaptation for
contemporary uses of existing range of built forms, devices , patterns and aesthetics
that can be identified from cultural tradition and architectural heritage of the
place.”(Yeang, 1987)
 An indirect connection: “Interpretation into form by design of those general principles
and lessons derived through an analysis of cultural tradition and architectural heritage
of the place”(Yeang, 1987)
 An inclusive contemporary connection: “Selective use and localization of current
technology, forms and ideas that is relevant to the program and context.”(Yeang, 1987)
 A landscape connection: “reflection, incorporation, integration of built form through
physical features and history of the place (that must include its climate, topography,
ecology)(Yeang, 1987)
 A forward connection: “Inculcation of anticipation of likely future historical
consequences of the building.”(Yeang, 1987)
Afore mentioned aspects helped to build up a unique identity for a place as that was needed
post-independence. Soon communities realized the non-interchangeability of human needs and
social systems and cultures; they were specific. Hence this facilitated the emergence of the local
and regional differences and their unique characteristics.
The current need is the requirement of urban regionlistic architecture.

17
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

Further chapter 3 and chapter 4 describe the relation between the vernacular of the place and the
climate with the help of sketches of various typologies of buildings and various skyscrapers.
The concluding chapter thus give us idea of the climate of the place according to which the
buildings are shaped in the previous chapter i.e.3

9. CASE STUDY: LUCKNOW

10. AN ACCOUNT OF CRITICAL REGIONALISM IN DIVERSE BUILDING TYPES IN

POSTCOLONIAL INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

The beginning of critical-regionalist architecture in India by various Indian Architects who

believed that the concept of modernization was way more expensive for a developing country
such as India.
The first approach was given by Lefaivre and Tzonis, 2003, that said “by being critical of
region’s buildings a practitioner is able to extract only the essence of tradition rather than literal
references.”
Furthermore, “The critical-regionalist despised the post-modern architecture for applying
eclectic historical references to contemporary works without consideration of appropriateness.”
Based on the above definitions and literature, various points were formulated by the researcher
for the assessment of the Critically Regionlistic buildings in India, such as:
 Context specific
 Historical knowledge
 Climate responsiveness
 Materiality
 Ecology and Landscape
 Social and cultural appropriateness
 Technology
Thus these afore mentioned points are identified in the following building typologies:
a. Cultural Institution
b. Housing
c. Higher Education and research
d. Primary and secondary education
e. Hospitality Sector
f. Religious Institution
g. Offices
h. Government Buildings.
i. Health care
j. Industrial
k. Retail and Commerce
The critical approach was much seen in office buildings, government buildings, factory
buildings and shopping centers.

11. GEOFERRY BAWA

The opening of the book is small account by the author of the book where he appreciates the
unique character (true artistic appeal) of the architecture of Sir Geoffrey Bawa.
Bawa’s architecture has elements of time, history and even has central role of geography.

18
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020
“His conception of buildings, nearly all his buildings is strongly influenced by the character of
natural terrain, the vegetation, the potential for developing vistas, out onto landscape and
hence light, shadow and of course related ever present aspect of climate.” (Taylor, 1995)
The domestic designs, Bawa’s own House for ASH de Silva Galle (1960) – modernist and
traditional at the same time for it recalls the pin-wheel plan of Mies Van der Rohe’s brick
country house (1923).
The small account by the architect which says the following:
“Buildings can only be understood by moving around and through it and by experiencing the
modulations and feel of the space one moves through-from outside to verandah, then rooms,
passages, courtyards,-the view from these spaces into others, views through landscape and
beyond, and from outside the buildings views back through rooms into inner rooms and
court.”(Taylor, 1995)
“Every project is different and each approach, each individual design is based on the differing
backgrounds of the site and purpose, requires a separate and total involvement and a care that
must be extended from foundations of the structures to smallest detail of the ultimate finishing
room.”(Taylor, 1995)
“Architecture cannot be totally explained but experienced.” (Taylor, 1995)
These accounts reminds us again why critically being regionalist is important

12. THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE IMAMBADAS IN LUCKNOW;IMAMBADA

SIBTAINABAD
13. RETHINK CRITICAL REGIONALISM:HOT SPRING HOTEL DESIGN
14. DESIGNING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE BUILT ENVIRONMENTS IN POST
DISASTER CONTEXTS: TSUNAMI AFFECTED FISHING SETTLEMENTS IN
TAMILNADU, INDIA
15. VERNACULAR TRADITIONS :CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
16. THE CITIES' IDENTITIES BETWEEN CRITICAL REGIONALISM AND
GLOBALIZATION
17. THERMAL COMFORT OF VARIOUS BUILDING LAYOUTS WITH A PROPOSED
DISCOMFORT INDEX RANGE FOR TROPICAL CLIMATE
18. TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE :CRITICAL REGIONALISM IN THE AGE OF
GLOBALIZATION

19
Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

THE HISTORICAL
THE HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND OF
BACKGROUND OF
THE PLACE
THE PLACE

EXISTING
EXISTING CLIMATE:
CLIMATE:
MATERIALITY AND
MATERIALITY AND MACRO
MACRO AND
AND
TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY MICRO CLIMATE
MICRO CLIMATE

CRITIACAL
CRITIACAL
REGIONALIST
REGIONALIST
ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE
LOCAL
LOCAL NEEDS AND
NEEDS AND THE VERNACULAR
THE VERNACULAR
DEMANDS
DEMANDS OF
OF THE PLACE
THE PLACE

SOCIAL AND
SOCIAL AND
TOPOGRAPHY OF
TOPOGRAPHY OF CULTURAL
CULTURAL
THE PLACE
THE PLACE FACTORS OF THE
FACTORS OF THE
PLACE
PLACE

FIGURE 6: Summary Chart

20
 Critical Regionalism: A study on traditional buildings of Lucknow and its’ contemporary approach
2020

References

 Bani, M. (2015). Critical Regionalism:Studies on Contemporary Residential Architecture

of Khartoum, Sudan. Khartoum, Sudan: RsearchGate.
 Firoz, M. (2015-16). Slideshare. Retrieved August 2020, from slideshare.net:
https://www.slideshare.net/Firoz009/dissertation-on-reviving-the-food-street-of-
lucknow
 Gulati, R. Sustainable Issues:Aspects of Comforts in Vernacular Houses of Lucknow.
Lucknow: academia.
 Kolay, S. (2019, August). Contemporary Architecture and Design:Phases of Post
Modern Architecture- Critical Regionalism. Roorkee, Uttrakhand, India.
 M.Tahseen, F. &. (2017, November). ResearchGate. Retrieved August 2020, from
researchgate.net:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321037119_Bioclimatic_Building_Design_
Guidelines_For_Lucknow_City_Use_Of_Various_Climate_Analysis_Methods
 None. (2018). indikosh. Retrieved August 2020, fro
Bani, M. (2018). CRITICAL REGIONALISM : STUDIES ON CONTEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL (Issue
November 2015).
Frampton, K. (1983). Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six points of an architecture of resistance.
In The Anti-aesthetic : essays on postmodern culture.
Gulati, R. (n.d.). Sustainable Issues :
Shadar, H. (2010). Evolution and critical regionalism. In Journal of Urban Design (Vol. 15, Issue
2). https://doi.org/10.1080/13574801003638137
Taylor, B. B. (1995). Geoffrey Bawa (Revised Edition) (B. Sansoni (ed.); Revised Ed). Thames
and Hudson.
Yeang, K. (1987). TROPICAL URBAN REGIONALISM:BUILDING IN A SOUTH-EAST ASIAN CITY
(First Edit). Concept Media Pte Ltd.

21