Professionals’ views of vernacular building materials and techniques for green building delivery in Ghana

Vernacular architecture is associated with numerous advantages. However, its adoption in the development of sustainable buildings is not appreciated. This paper examines professionals’ views of vernacular building materials and techniques for green building delivery in Ghana. A questionnaire survey...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kofi Agyekum, Ernest Kissi, James Cofie Danku
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-07-01
Series:Scientific African
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227620301629
Description
Summary:Vernacular architecture is associated with numerous advantages. However, its adoption in the development of sustainable buildings is not appreciated. This paper examines professionals’ views of vernacular building materials and techniques for green building delivery in Ghana. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 54 built environment professionals. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings suggest that the key vernacular materials for green building delivery are timber, bamboo, and laterite. It further suggests that the key vernacular techniques which are suitable for green building delivery are timber-framed construction, sun-dried brick walling/Adobe, and rammed earth or Atakpame walling. This study is useful for built environment professionals who are active in the construction industry and who are responsible for green building delivery decision making during the design and construction stages of buildings.
ISSN:2468-2276