A typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture: The case of Cyprus
Semi-open spaces – largely incorporated in vernacular dwellings in Cyprus during the 19th and 20th centuries – formed diachronically significant socio-cultural, functional and environmental features of the vernacular architecture of the area. The climate of the Eastern Mediterranean region, i.e., ho...
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doaj-b6ed40fca8d04d97b19931c5e3716b852021-08-30T04:13:25ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Frontiers of Architectural Research2095-26352021-09-01103483501A typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture: The case of CyprusMaria Philokyprou0Aimilios Michael1Eleni Malaktou2Corresponding author.; Department of Architecture, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Architecture, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Architecture, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, CyprusSemi-open spaces – largely incorporated in vernacular dwellings in Cyprus during the 19th and 20th centuries – formed diachronically significant socio-cultural, functional and environmental features of the vernacular architecture of the area. The climate of the Eastern Mediterranean region, i.e., hot summers and mild winters, encouraged the use of open weather protected spaces, thus leading to the widespread incorporation of such spaces in the vernacular architecture of the region. This paper focuses on the interconnections between architectural forms and human comfort, convenience or pleasure in relation to the semi-open spaces found in the vernacular architecture of Cyprus – an island in the Eastern Mediterranean region. For the purpose of this research, characteristic traditional settlements found in the coastal, lowland and mountainous areas – which represent three different climatic regions and topographies of the island – were selected for an in-depth investigation. The findings confirm a high frequency of semi-open spaces, as well as the existence of a remarkable richness of typologies. Although semi-open spaces constitute a fundamental part of the structure of these vernacular dwellings in all climatic regions examined, they dominate in the lowland regions due to the particularly hot climate, as well as the specific activities of the inhabitants of these areas. The prevailing architectural forms and constructions of these spaces in each climatic region under investigation was found to be closely adapted to the local resources, terrain and climate, while also being related to the social, household and agricultural needs of the inhabitants, thus underlining their sustainable and locus-specific conception. Research findings can contribute towards critically re-thinking semi-open spaces and their inherent value in rehabilitation projects, as well as in contemporary residential architecture.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095263521000224Semi-open spacesVernacular residential architectureDifferent climatic regions and topographiesTypologyEnvironmentally responsive designSocio-cultural aspects |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Maria Philokyprou Aimilios Michael Eleni Malaktou |
spellingShingle |
Maria Philokyprou Aimilios Michael Eleni Malaktou A typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture: The case of Cyprus Frontiers of Architectural Research Semi-open spaces Vernacular residential architecture Different climatic regions and topographies Typology Environmentally responsive design Socio-cultural aspects |
author_facet |
Maria Philokyprou Aimilios Michael Eleni Malaktou |
author_sort |
Maria Philokyprou |
title |
A typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture: The case of Cyprus |
title_short |
A typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture: The case of Cyprus |
title_full |
A typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture: The case of Cyprus |
title_fullStr |
A typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture: The case of Cyprus |
title_full_unstemmed |
A typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture: The case of Cyprus |
title_sort |
typological, environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the eastern mediterranean vernacular architecture: the case of cyprus |
publisher |
KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
series |
Frontiers of Architectural Research |
issn |
2095-2635 |
publishDate |
2021-09-01 |
description |
Semi-open spaces – largely incorporated in vernacular dwellings in Cyprus during the 19th and 20th centuries – formed diachronically significant socio-cultural, functional and environmental features of the vernacular architecture of the area. The climate of the Eastern Mediterranean region, i.e., hot summers and mild winters, encouraged the use of open weather protected spaces, thus leading to the widespread incorporation of such spaces in the vernacular architecture of the region. This paper focuses on the interconnections between architectural forms and human comfort, convenience or pleasure in relation to the semi-open spaces found in the vernacular architecture of Cyprus – an island in the Eastern Mediterranean region. For the purpose of this research, characteristic traditional settlements found in the coastal, lowland and mountainous areas – which represent three different climatic regions and topographies of the island – were selected for an in-depth investigation. The findings confirm a high frequency of semi-open spaces, as well as the existence of a remarkable richness of typologies. Although semi-open spaces constitute a fundamental part of the structure of these vernacular dwellings in all climatic regions examined, they dominate in the lowland regions due to the particularly hot climate, as well as the specific activities of the inhabitants of these areas. The prevailing architectural forms and constructions of these spaces in each climatic region under investigation was found to be closely adapted to the local resources, terrain and climate, while also being related to the social, household and agricultural needs of the inhabitants, thus underlining their sustainable and locus-specific conception. Research findings can contribute towards critically re-thinking semi-open spaces and their inherent value in rehabilitation projects, as well as in contemporary residential architecture. |
topic |
Semi-open spaces Vernacular residential architecture Different climatic regions and topographies Typology Environmentally responsive design Socio-cultural aspects |
url |
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095263521000224 |
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