Homecoming: Tracing the Roots: Re-Birth and Re-Interpretation of Wa Architectural Traditions

Abstract

As the core carrier of material culture, vernacular architecture reflects local cultural history including local lifestyle and spiritual outlook. How- ever, vernacular architecture is different from other tangible and in- tangible cultures. Vernacular architecture is the most fragile tangible form because the external culture can easily misinterpret it. Once the destruction of the architectural culture happens, the culture endowed within the architecture transforms. This thesis will analyse the vanishing vernacular village and architec- ture of China’'s Wa ethnic minority’'s cultural continuity and propose the reclamation of those architectural traditions with local resources. This thesis sets out to examine “"what is the tradition is”" of Wa village planning, and what is vernacular architecture’'s role is and how does bamboo construction functions in the Wa community. This leads to the topic “"what is the now"” to discuss the external impacts of a Wa- settled village. Finally, it will approach a “"what could a traditional Wa design solution in the future be”" be design solution based on Wa architecture. The thesis also considers's be and what could be thea developing development pattern to pro- vide a renewal strategy for the Wa village in order to preserve and reinterpret the unique vanishing architecture reframed throughin a contemporary method.? Within the scope of this research, the proposed design solution re-inter- prets architectural tradition in the vernacular Wa society., in whichIn this scenario, that users and occupants are involved in the creative process of the architecture and village. The proposed design solution associates the new practice tradition in the Wa society to develop an urban infrastructure with through building a school/workshop, communal library and religious drum shrine. These to pro- vide public services for villagers to acquire the lost building knowledge with local retrievable resources like bamboo and bring economic opportunities like processing bamboo materials. The project and also promotes eco-tourism for the village with and its people. In the meantimeAdditionally, the project aims to raise the local Wa people's awareness of their cultural heritage and promote their sense of pride and confidence.