The definition of vernacular architecture can vary from “indigenous architecture” to “primitive architecture”, to “ethnic architecture” and even to “anonymous architecture”. However, on academic grounds, the definition “any process of environment definition without employment of professional designer; neither a formal architect nor an uneducated craftsman” is preferred. Vernacular architecture research must evaluate abstract factors affecting the design (“the climate”, “the economy”, and “the culture”; respectively) as the inputs and the concrete results of the design (“the material”, “the technique”, and “the form”; again respectively) as the outputs. Climate, in this sense, is the genesis term that needs to be discussed first. The planet Earth has distinct climatic zones and each zone has a unique biome consisting of local flora and fauna. Human, on the other hand, is the only species that spread all corners of the planet before completing biological adaptation. Therefore, people invented some abstract concepts and some tangible features in order to survive. Vernacular architecture is an obvious example of these material culture elements. And economy, mentioned as a major input of vernacular architecture can be evaluated as one of the abstract concepts, in these terms. “Economy”, in formal definition, is the state of a population in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services. However, in terms of vernacular architecture, economy defines how people earn their livings, basically how they gain food. As mentioned, certain climates allow certain endemic lifeforms and people, who spread all climates, introduced several economies according to these endemic species; as hunting (fishing included), gathering, horticulture, and husbandry, and some mixed types. And their architecture adapts that unique lifestyle of the climate, as well. In example, when hunting is the main economy as Great Plains or herding as in Siberian steppes, the architecture should be detachable and mobile. Even economy is not the main decisive factor itself, as there are distinct types of tents in nomadic lifestyle. The aim of this research is therefore to create the link in between the vernacular architecture of different zones and the local economy based on the local climate.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Vernacular architecture, Primitive architecture, Economy, Economic design, Economic architecture
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