Ratiocination of Kenyan Vernacular Architecture

Abstract

The vernacular paradigm is a valid but stigmatised field of architectural inquiry. In Kenya, the traditional vernacular architecture of most communities has not been completely rationalised. Documentation has been limited to tribal architecture of the most populous communities and ethnic tribes of academics and students of architecture. However, the documentation has not progressed to ratiocination, as interpretation. This desk study conducts archival research and adopts a qualitative methodology when it undertakes a critical review of identified publications on vernacular architecture. A dialogic approach in the form of short quotations from various sources is employed to situate the study in discourse in the research field of vernacular architecture. The study reviews selected proposals for studying vernacular architecture and argues for the use of broad based frameworks for its analysis. It provides a theoretical background on research methodologies and presents eco-systemic methods of studying vernacular architecture, arguing for its hermeneutic interpretation. The need for chronology, traditions and maxims in ratiocination of vernacular architecture is debated. The influence of conservation organisations is discussed. The study found and proposed methodologies for ratiocination of Kenyan vernacular architecture. It also established that a comprehensive corpus of traditional Kenyan rural vernacular architecture that could support teaching of History and Theory of Architecture in Kenya, and inspire design projects of students and practicing architects had not yet been compiled. The study recommends creation of a corpus of traditional Kenyan rural vernacular architecture through ratiocination of undocumented, or documented but yet to be interpreted built forms of indigenous Kenyan rural vernacular architecture. This corpus will yield requisite hermeneutics and semiology of vernacular built forms, inclusive of their spatial organisation.