Unraveling Garifuna Architecture: legacy and possibilities

• Main Authors: DulceAndino, 安恬
• Other Authors: Sheng-Fen Chien
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/14531532061367781487

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 建築學系碩博士班 === 101 === The Garifuna are a group of people that live on the northern coast of Honduras and the coast of Belize. They have a very distinct and vibrant culture. Minority cultures are currently absorbed by mainstreamed cultures and the Garifuna ethnicity is directly influenced by this phenomenon. In this research it is of special concern to encapsulate Garifuna vernacular architecture by means of shape grammars. The research provides a clear documentation of the grammars implemented in CAD software. And this investigation explores new design prospects by extending the Garifuna vernacular grammars. The research utilizes the shape grammar methodology to capture the style of Garifuna architecture in two sets of grammars: the Garifuna settlement grammar, and the Garifuna hut grammar. The settlement grammar has the character of generating accurate typical Garifuna settlement patterns. The Garifuna hut grammar is to produce the actual construction of a Garifuna hut. Furthermore, this research proposes new shape grammars - the Garifuna Building Grammars - for the design of public buildings so that they maintain local tradition, in style, and customs. The new shape grammars with parametric rules are developed through the extension of the vernacular grammars. The Garifuna Building Grammars achieve more complex designs providing the Garifuna communities with larger scaled facilities for public use. This investigation provides the data of the shape grammar rules implementation in parametric CAD software. This research successfully presents an analysis of the Garifuna vernacular architecture. The research contributes with a clear digital documentation of the grammars. And finally it produces the possibilities of new designs remaining faithful to the Garifuna traditional methods of construction.