ASSESSING THE INTEGRATION OF GONDAR-STYLE ARCHITECTURE FAÇADE ELEMENTS IN CONTEMPORARY BUILDING DESIGN IN GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

xx

ABSTRACT Many architects around the world are trying to integrate past architectural details, elements, and symbols with new building materials and techniques to the design of contemporary buildings. in Ethiopia, the practice of integrating traditional architectural elements/symbols in contemporary building design are progressive. Gondar-style architecture acts as a valuable source of inspiration for contemporary building designs in Gondar city. For the past decades, Architects/designers are trying to integrate some of the façade elements of Gondar-style architecture into their contemporary building design. However, the architects/designers made miss integrated Gondar- style architecture façade elements into contemporary design. The research investigates how Gondar-style architecture façade elements have been integrated and manifested in contemporary architecture. It is vital to consider proper ways to integrate the façade elements and details with new building materials and techniques to the design of contemporary buildings in Gondar. The aim of this research was to investigate the integration of Gondar-style architecture façade elements within the design of contemporary buildings. This is an attempt to encourage the practice of compatible integration of Gondar-style architecture façade elements in the design of the future building in Gondar city. Literature review helped in exploring the historical background of Gondar-style architecture and identification of its façade elements. The Case study method has been employed to identify various aspects of design approaches for integration of Gondar-style architecture façade elements into contemporary design in real situation, a field survey/observation of selected contemporary buildings which were designed based on Gondar-style architecture, and interviews with architects and designers about their perception of the integration of Gondar-style architecture façade elements on the buildings were conducted. The result found in the evaluation and discussions of case study buildings, the façade elements were incompatible integrated. This study will help in increasing awareness and knowledge among contemporary designers/architects about how to integrate, articulate and manipulate Gondar-style architecture façade elements into contemporary building designs. It provides façade design guideline about how traditional architecture façade elements, symbols, and details are embodied in contemporary architecture.