HISP 325 Vernacular Architecture

Vernacular as a concept Asserts that the sources of construction details, formal arrangements, and decorative elements are local. Asserts that the social, economic, and cultural meanings of these features lie within the value structure of local communities and the individuals who have a vested interest in how and why the buildings look that way

Vernacular as a method Buildings evolve Read the fabric for sequence of changes to meet the needs of owners/occupants. Interpretation is only as good as the evidence.

HISP 305 vs HISP 325 American Building posed questions of “why” the answers were focused upon the internal arrangement of the parts. Vernacular Architecture look at the internal arrangement as products that place the abilities and intentions of the builder and owner within larger social and cultural patterns. Imagine scholarly research as a pyramid of explanatory value, where the base is observation and the elevation is broad explanation. –HISP 305 stays very close to the base, –HISP 325 is a middle level theory, since vernacular architecture as a theory even in its most daring moments rarely explains more that the built environment and its role in culture.

Yeah, but This class is about learning to pose questions and form answers not merely learning the stuff. However, ability to think is situated within a framework of previous work – Defines how we pose questions – Defines how we frame answers. Vernacular Architecture has been vigorous in searching other disciplines for new ways to pose questions and form answers. –Many of the articles that you will read are post-facto Vernacular Architecture research, since they were written before the consolidation and naming of the discipline in the late 1960s.

Reading for writing How are articles structured and how the evidence it presented. –Statements of method –Explanation of basis of understanding –Expand the boundaries –Contest the methods –Defend the disciplines involved in this form of research.

Historic Preservation and Vernacular Architecture The professional practice of preservation and vernacular architecture are begun by the same individuals. –Did the need to describe the complete range of building forms give rise to the explanation form, or, –Did the new explanation form allow a more inclusive statement of significance.

Mechanics of the class Readings: –Common places: Readings in American Vernacular Architecture. – Introduction to Vernacular Architecture – Articles from Perspectives in Vernacular Architecture.

Mechanics of the class Tests Midterm, Monday, February 28th Final examination, Wednesday, May 30 th

Mechanics of the class Writing 1. Describe changes you see at 314 George Street. Due Monday 17 February. 2. Collect and annotate a bibliography of sources relevant to the study of a process construction, including the materials, techniques, and social values of the form created. Due Monday 24 March. 3.Write a critical (analytical review) of a classic work of vernacular architecture study. Due Wednesday 23 April.

Mechanics of the class—critical review 1. Identify the author and explain the disciplinary background, where they received degrees, current position, and list their other published works. 2. Identify the hypothesis of the writing--what is the author seeking to demonstrate. How does the author set up the argument (claim that previous research was poor, or long ago; claim new methods; seek to shift the weight given to factors currently used to evaluate objects; claim that the subject has not been previously researched). 3. Describe the sources or methodology used in fieldwork. 4. Critically summarize the goals of the article and the success or failure of the article to meet its stated (or assumed) goals.

Mechanics of the class In class work. –Come prepared to talk. –Do the reading. There will be two Saturday fieldtrips. Sotterley (Maryland) Sherwood Forest (Stafford county Vernacular Architectural Forum

What to read We must consider how reading sequence is done and what it provides. (as in building materials) Some readings (writings) will be classic statements of explanation or method. But, that leaves a lot of room for choice. –What are your interests? –Where might you use this knowledge?

Axis of choice Theory vs practice The buildings of ethnicity vs buildings of regional composition Houses vs public buildings Edge scholarship or centrist statements Explaining buildings through fabric vs explaining buildings through documents

Come See Me Office location: Room 133 Scheduled Office hours: M W F 2pm-2:50pm TR 9am-9:50am Write me a note: Please try to log in and register for our blog.

Wednesday, January 14 th Whereas: I am part of the jury pool for the City of Fredericksburg this month. I am currently part of the jury pool for a two day trial to begin on Tuesday January 13 th. Whereas: The prosecution and defense have at this time not settled. Resolved: If I am selected to be on the jury I will not be available for our class on Wednesday. Resolved, further: I will contact you with an electronic message prior to our class meeting time on Wednesday to advise you whether to there will be class on that day.