Wikipedia

Building materials processing in the vernacular architecture of Oceania

The peoples of Oceania, spread across multiple island groups in the Pacific Ocean, developed unique architectural styles that made optimal use of the available resources. These included materials like timber, bamboo, pandanus, coconut palm, and coral.

Bamboo Hut
Bamboo Hut

Materials and Their Processing edit

Timber edit

Main article: Timber

In the Pacific Islands, timber was and remains a crucial building material, with diverse species being utilized for different purposes. The preparation process involved felling, debarking, and often, curing for several months to ensure the material's durability. Specialized tools made from shell, stone, or later iron, were used to cut and shape the timber. This wood was primarily used in the construction of structural elements like posts, beams, and rafters.[1][2]

Bamboo edit

Main article: Bamboo

Bamboo, particularly prevalent in Melanesia, was another crucial material used. The hollow, cylindrical structure of bamboo lends itself well to lightweight construction and ease of assembly. Bamboo canes were typically cut, dried, and then often treated with heat or submerged in water to prevent pest infestation.[1][3][4]

Pandanus and coconut palm edit

Main articles: pandanus and coconut palm

Both pandanus and coconut palm were extensively used for thatching and wall materials in Oceanic architecture. These materials were harvested, dried, and often woven into mats or shingles.[5] The leaves of the pandanus, when processed into a plaiting material, were used to create the panels in the walls and floors of houses, while the trunks could be used as posts.[6][7]

Coral edit

Main article: coral

In certain island groups like Kiribati, the absence of timber necessitated the use of other materials like coral. Coral blocks were extracted, dried, and used primarily for foundation and wall construction. Though less common, this practice demonstrates the resourcefulness of the indigenous Oceanic peoples in adapting to their environment.[8]

Building techniques edit

The processing of materials was intrinsically tied to the construction techniques employed.[9] Lashed construction was dominant, with the processed timber, bamboo, and other materials being joined using plant fiber ropes rather than nails or screws. Notches were cut into posts and beams to facilitate lashing and provide structural integrity.[10][11]

In the case of coral construction, a mortar made from ground coral and coconut water was commonly used to bind blocks together. The coral blocks were carefully chosen and shaped to fit tightly together, providing a robust and durable structure.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Descriptive List of Hawaiian Fishes", Native Use of Fish in Hawaii, University of Hawaii Press, pp. 56–164, 1972-12-31, doi:10.1515/9780824846473-004, ISBN 9780824846473, retrieved 2023-06-26
  2. ^ Kirch, P.V. (1990). "Monumental architecture and power in Polynesian chiefdoms: A comparison of Tonga and Hawaii". World Archaeology. 22 (2): 206–222. doi:10.1080/00438243.1990.9980141. ISSN 0043-8243.
  3. ^ Chele, Esteve-Sendra; Ricardo, Moreno-Cuesta; Ana, Portalés-Mañanós; Teresa, Magal-Royo (2012). "Bamboo, from Traditional Crafts to Contemporary Design and Architecture". Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 51: 777–781. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.08.239. hdl:10251/45460.
  4. ^ Maslucha, L; Putrie, Y E; Rahma, S; Handryant, A N; Ramardani, V (2020-02-01). "Contribution of bamboo materials in architecture education towards sustainable community development". IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 456 (1): 012047. Bibcode:2020E&ES..456a2047M. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/456/1/012047. ISSN 1755-1307. S2CID 216339046.
  5. ^ Solikhah, Nafiah; Bere, Adolfo Freitas (2021). "Vernacular Architecture as a Representation of Nature, Self, Culture, and Society: Insights from Sumba-Timor-Flores". Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research. Proceedings of the International Conference on Economics, Business, Social, and Humanities (ICEBSH 2021). 570. Paris, France: Atlantis Press. doi:10.2991/assehr.k.210805.237. ISBN 978-94-6239-413-1. S2CID 238797434.
  6. ^ Ismail, Noor Hafiza; Md Nawawi, Norwani (2011). "Design motive and pattern in screwpine and pandan plaiting from Peninsular Malaysia". 2011 IEEE Colloquium on Humanities, Science and Engineering. IEEE. pp. 137–142. doi:10.1109/chuser.2011.6163703. ISBN 978-1-4673-0020-9. S2CID 21152801.
  7. ^ Rusch, Rosemarie (2021). "Woven walls, threaded horizons: Traditional architecture in the modern urban fabric of Papua New Guinea | Garland Magazine". garlandmag.com. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  8. ^ Moradi; Zohreh (2016). "The role of coral in art and architecture: An overview". International Journal of Aquatic Biology. 4: 125–142. doi:10.7508/ijab.2016.02.008 – via ResearchGate.
  9. ^ Stanimirovic, Mirko; Vasov, Miomir; Mancic, Marko; Rancev, Boris; Medenica, Milena (2023-04-21). "Sustainable Vernacular Architecture: The Renovation of a Traditional House on Stara Planina Mountain in Serbia". Buildings. 13 (4): 1093. doi:10.3390/buildings13041093. ISSN 2075-5309.
  10. ^ Güler, K; Bilge, A (2013-10-04), "Construction techniques of the vernacular architecture of the Eastern Black Sea Region", Vernacular Heritage and Earthen Architecture, CRC Press, pp. 295–300, doi:10.1201/b15685-53, ISBN 978-1-138-00083-4, retrieved 2023-06-29
  11. ^ Agyekum, Kofi; Kissi, Ernest; Danku, James Cofie (2020-07-01). "Professionals' views of vernacular building materials and techniques for green building delivery in Ghana". Scientific African. 8: e00424. Bibcode:2020SciAf...800424A. doi:10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00424. ISSN 2468-2276. S2CID 219782260.
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