A Discussion on Tradition and the Vernacular

It is naïve to assume that simply by using the materials local to an area one will create a development that positively reflects its context.

What we now consider tradition was once the height of innovation. It is important to remember that history and tradition are different concepts (INTBAU, 2008, ed.). History does not necessarily repeat itself, but each era focuses on something different, and so we can constantly learn from our past. Tradition is simply the past living through us (INTBAU, 2008, ed.). There is a responsibility for keeping that tradition alive.

Cesare Poppi (2008) states that “what is ‘traditional for X is grossly out of place and time for Y.” Hence, vernacular architecture develops completely differently in different places. There are many reasons for this, both physically and ideologically. Vernacular architecture tends to develop as an imitation of its predecessors, building on what worked for previous generations and adapting them to present use. Its style is also determined by the local materials, as well as the weather conditions and the buildings' specific needs. (Rice, 1991) For example, Hebridean cottages are low, ground-hugging granite structures built to withstand strong westerly winds, whereas Gwynedd cottages are built with slate and white render because of the abundance of slate in the hills of Snowdonia. Tradition is a concept that is inherently tied in with its context.

In the United Kingdom, conservation drives are mostly centred around individual buildings. Unlike country houses (many of which are run by the National Trust and similar organisations), there is no singular co-ordinated national effort to maintain vernacular housing. Conservation areas are widespread across Britain and Ireland, but the areas that are part of them are highly varied.

In Ireland, there is a drive for the creation of Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) - places, or groups of structures, of special architectural interest. In County Cavan there are currently 4 ACAs, each with specific reasons for conservation such as their development pattern, important buildings, or historical significance to the area. (Hughes & Lanigan, 2019)

Bridge Street, Cavan

ACAs come with conservation guidelines and legal frameworks in place to protect the area. These guidelines are different to policies on listed buildings, for example: property owners are encouraged to reinstate lost original features, and proposed developments are encouraged to use sympathetic design to stay in keeping with the area's character. Demolition requires both planning permission and justification. The core idea behind these guidelines is that any changes should complement the area's character - protecting and enhancing the setting.

Tradition itself is a subjective thing, which has vastly different meanings depending on personal tastes. Drawing on tradition is equally subjective – where is the line between imitation and parody? Is it cost-effective to sensitively replicate a place’s traditional architecture, 300 or more years after it was first built, and how does one do this while also catering to the comforts of 21st century domestic life and needs?