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Questions About Indigenous Influence

jgalkows

Hi all,

For a class research project, I am trying to ascertain the extent of Indigenous influence in today’s architectural landscape - specifically in North, South, and Central America. At the moment, my research is substantial, but I could certainly benefit from a little more information.

Could anyone point me to any architectural styles that have been, in some way, inspired by (or influenced by) indigenous architecture? Are there any noteworthy architects that have experimented with Indigenous architectural forms? Are there any ideas in current architecture that are rooted in native tradition?

Any tips/other info? Thanks.

 
Nov 4, 18 12:18 am
citizen

Substantial, huh?

Nov 4, 18 12:53 am  · 
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jgalkows

What I have is very close to what I need. I'd rather not waste your time by elaborating, though.

Nov 4, 18 2:05 pm  · 
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randomised

It would be a lot easier if you shared what you already have, for the sake of efficiency and such.

Nov 4, 18 5:08 am  · 
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jgalkows

I definitely should have added that.

Nov 4, 18 1:59 pm  · 
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jgalkows

Accidentally sent too early. Here's what I have investigated so far:

- Pre-Colombian "Revivals" of the ~1940s. Particularly those that were related to Art Deco
- Pueblo Style
- Various Canadian case studies of successful indigenous-inspired projects by Douglas Cardinal, as well as Busby and Associates
- General Latin American plaza and city layout/design. Interesting paper. I can link it if you are curious.
- American Southwest styles, such as "Santa Fe Style". Architects such as John Gaw Meem and Antoine Predock

I've also heard that some architects in the American northwest are borrowing some native elements of design, to create a regional style.

I have also looked into Contemporary Native American Architecture, too. If possible, I will edit the original post to include this info.

Nov 4, 18 2:00 pm  · 
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Non Sequitur

I pass by a Douglas Cardinal building everyday, two if I really want to.

Nov 4, 18 2:22 pm  · 
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jgalkows

Thank you. I believe I have, more or less, what I need. No need for additional steps that require an NDA. I appreciate the follow-up though.

Nov 4, 18 5:19 pm  · 
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Non Sequitur

I see this every morning on my way to the office.

cmc_good09.jpg

Nov 5, 18 10:23 am  · 
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Almosthip7

I have a Douglas Cardinal Building in my small city too

Nov 5, 18 6:29 pm  · 
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Almosthip7

Grande Prairie Regional College

Nov 5, 18 6:29 pm  · 
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Non Sequitur

^sexy

Nov 6, 18 9:09 am  · 
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Almosthip7

It’s a pretty sweet building. They named the theater after him. Very nice inside.

Nov 6, 18 9:16 am  · 
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Volunteer

Much too broad. Concentrate on one aspect such as the Mayans in Mexico and Central America. Here is FLW's Mayan Revival work (Hollyhock House) that should get you an "A" all by itself. You're welcome.  

Nov 4, 18 6:49 am  · 
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jgalkows

Understandable. I will reconsider the scope of the project. Thank you for your help.

Nov 4, 18 2:22 pm  · 
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Nov 4, 18 7:15 am  · 
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Non Sequitur

"my research is substantial, but I could certainly benefit from a little more information"

Famous last words

Nov 4, 18 7:28 am  · 
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Zbig

Cruzeiro do Sul International Airport in Brazil

Nov 5, 18 8:36 am  · 
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Volunteer

The OP has a really fascinating topic to research. Here is the interior of FLW's Hollyhock House with its famous fireplace. Apparently FLW was a better brutalist than the......brutalists.  Did he pre-date Brutalism with some of his works and did that come from his appreciation of the Mayan and earlier Mexico buildings?

Nov 5, 18 10:06 am  · 
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randomised

You find it interesting, doesn't make it interesting per se. It's just useless decoration and fluf and I'm sure it leaks :)

Nov 5, 18 10:21 am  · 
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Non Sequitur

I'd find it very interesting if that recess in front of the fireplace served as a hot tub.

Nov 5, 18 10:22 am  · 
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jgalkows

Interesting. Perhaps there are some parallels between brutalism and the shapes/materials used in Mayan/Other Pre-Colombian civilizations?

Nov 5, 18 5:17 pm  · 
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Non, that's the sacrificial altar.

Nov 5, 18 8:34 pm  · 
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Non Sequitur

Miles, one can still perform sacrifices while sitting in a hot tub.

Nov 6, 18 7:46 am  · 
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Volunteer

Gee, and I thought the thread was about indigenous native peoples influence on contemporary architecture. Here is a corner of the temple at Xochicalco in Mexico and Taliesin West.

Nov 5, 18 10:38 am  · 
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randomised

Beautiful sure, but not very interesting of course, just some superficial surface treatment. There are more pressing issues in the (American) architectural landscape I hope.

Nov 5, 18 11:19 am  · 
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Finjohn

This unique Moroccan inspired home in Key West, FL is a good example. Architect: Matthew Stratton 

Nov 5, 18 6:11 pm  · 
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What is the question/problem you are trying to address? It may be that all these examples outside of your geographical study area are inappropriate. Be more specific, otherwise you'll get a huge range of vernaculars thrown at you. 

That said, are you looking for perfomative comps? Like a survey of plinths and other false topographies that were used for urbanism and effect? Are you looking at a specific time period, like the the growth of favelas in Brazil during across the 20th century?

Actually taking the time to waste our time will net you responses that are more direct.


Nov 5, 18 6:38 pm  · 
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jgalkows

Thanks for the input. At the moment, I am looking for native-inflected architectural styles or buildings. Essentially, anything that has been derived from indigenous architecture. Quite broad - I am aware of that. The time period that I am focusing on is the range of the
20th century to today.

Nov 6, 18 8:47 am  · 
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You need to be more regionally specific. The points above are all unique rabbit hole that their own twists and turns. To say “there’s a lot of 20th century indigenous architecture out there...” is akin to saying “There are a lot of building styles out there...”

Nov 6, 18 8:55 am  · 
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BulgarBlogger

two words: vernacular architecture

Nov 5, 18 10:13 pm  · 
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jgalkows

Vernacular architecture was my initial path for my research. I do believe that there is a lot of promise in vernacular architecture for my topic, but the available literature about vernacular architecture doesn't really give me anything concrete. Still, thank you
though!

Nov 6, 18 8:33 am  · 
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Zbig

Simply going to the vernacular won't give you the response you need. The vernacular is a response to local availability of building materials and methods, and is heavily influenced by European architecture (English, Spanish, and Portuguese). Paradoxically, you will have to look for neo-indigenous styles pursued by the architectural elites that are heavily European in origin, but pursue the notion of the "Noble Savage" as a more pure form of intervention in the built environment. It happened very strongly in Literature, but also in other arts including Architecture. There are some strong examples above in the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, also European in origin, but drawing from American Indigenous sources.

Nov 6, 18 8:46 am  · 
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randomised

It would be only interesting if you could take the lessons from indigenous architecture with regards to dealing with our current pressing issues such as climatic changes and adaptation, smart use of resources and land or energy. Otherwise it's just boring decadence, isn't it?

Nov 6, 18 7:35 am  · 
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jgalkows

I do agree that the lessons from indigenous architecture would be more interesting than just identifying the
architecture itself. That would make an already cumbersome scope even larger though. I'll give it a look in the future, though.

Nov 6, 18 8:37 am  · 
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Ignore accurate and pertinent advice now because you can always heed it later. Unless we mine the planet into inhabitability first.

Nov 6, 18 11:15 am  · 
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