A Study of Consumer Behavior: Preferences for Vernacular and Modern Architecture in Hot and Dry Indian Regions

Abstract

Global warming and energy shortages have become major global problems, with the building industry being a major energy consumer. Vernacular architecture, which has been developed over generations, is more adaptable to changing environments, including building orientation, form, spacing, layout orientation, and climatic features. This approach considers the home's aesthetics, physical characteristics, and social purposes, resulting in unique designs in hot, arid climate locations. Examples include Rajasthan and Gujarat, which use locally produced sandstone and lime, Jaali screens, and courtyard designs. Modern architecture in these areas integrates advanced materials, shading technologies, passive cooling techniques, and sustainable energy systems. This study aims to examine vernacularism's climatic adaptation, focusing on climatic adaptive technology and its potential in house shape, construction method, building components, and materials. The findings have implications for architects, urban planners, and policymakers seeking to create resilient and sustainable built environments that respect cultural identity while embracing innovation and local knowledge. The essay will examine 23 previous studies and the work of architects who have adapted traditional and vernacular architecture to create a new identity in architecture, showcasing the blending of traditional and vernacular architectural knowledge with contemporary technology and materials.