Transfigured Matter:
The Vernacular and The Industrial
OVERVIEW
Created By: Mishita Kandula
oVERVIEW
Vernacular architecture is the first designed architecture reintroduced. Combining historic local materials and traditions with technological innovations, vernacular architecture allows local identity to transform a building. This exhibition showcases: local building materials fusing with today's new building materials. The fusion of old and new materials allows for more durable structures that serve the communities with a purpose, such as climate control, a sense of identity, or both. This exhibition highlights Ningbo Historic Museum, METI Handmade School, and Kantana Institute: all of which use today's technology to enhance the purpose of local material used within them.
OVERVIEW
Ningbo Historic Museum, built in 2008 in China, pioneers the historic Wapan technique of masonry. The Wapan technique is an ancient masonry technique for rural masons who worked with available local stone and discards from the villages. The Ningbo Museum reuses demolished stone from the ruins of villages to create a facade. This facade uses the Wapan technique with carefully chosen stones to resemble the surrounding geographical context and is made possible through the use of various types of concrete (precast, reinforced, slabs) for the structural foundation.
OVERVIEW
METI Handmade School, built in 2007 in Bangladesh, uses bamboo and rammed Earth (cob) along with other local materials to design a learning environment for a rural space while accommodating the weather. Bamboo is an ancient material, initially used to create houses with several unique joinery methods. This building focuses on lashing, where a new rope-like material is introduced to create exterior knots. In METI School, bamboo was used for its local proximity, structural capabilities, and climate qualities. It was used to create the roof, column, and floor structures, and exterior aesthetics though diagonal members with structural reinforcement purposes. Lashing joints are traditionally made with local materials, but this building uses nylon lashing and steel pins to increase structural integrity for the building. Lashing is used to create a roof truss system and vertical/ diagonal connections for the structure. Cob was used as the foundation for both floors, with the second floor being aided by a bamboo frame.
OVERVIEW
Kantana Institute, built in 2011 in Thailand, uses handmade bricks as their primary local material. The usage of bricks with local clay dates back to ancient times in Thailand, seen through temples, palaces, and houses of that time. This material allows for temperature control and is fire and termite resistant, making it durable for long term construction. Intricate brick work is a notable part of Thai brick architecture. Concrete in this building is used as a sturdy foundation that allows for steel to be inserted for a vertical structure system. The handmade bricks are then laid as a wavy pattern on either side of steel frames to create ventilation systems to accommodate weather while exhibiting some intricate stonework.
oVERVIEW
Uniting the Ningbo Historic Museum, METI Handmade School, and Kantana Institute, these sites demonstrate the essence of vernacular architecture: the sense of identity that comes from using local material while new building materials enhance their ability to accomplish their purpose.
Ningbo Historic Museum
+ Info
Gallery
Meti handmade School
+ Info
Gallery
Kantana Insitution
+ Info
Gallery
BIBLIOGRAPHY
LIBRARY
NINGBO HISTORIC MUSEUM Schittich, Christian, ed. Museum Buildings : Construction and Design Manual. München: Detail Business Information GmbH, The, 2016. Accessed October 26, 2025. ProQuest Ebook Central.
METI HANDMADE SCHOOL Elements of Sustainable Architecture. Oxford: Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. Accessed October 26, 2025. ProQuest Ebook Central.
KANTANA INSTITUTE Anurakyawachon, Pirak. "FILM INSTITUTE BOONSERM PREMTHADA." The Architectural Review 230, no. 1378 (12, 2011): 43-49,4. https://lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/trade- journals/film-institute-boonserm-premthada/docview/912680698/se-2.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
NINGBO HISTORIC MUSEUM
“Ningbo History Museum Amateur Architecture Studio,” Chinese-Architects, n.d., https://www.chinese- architects.com/en/projects/view/ningbo-history-museum.
Qiaofeng Xue et al., “The Historical Process of the Masonry City Walls Construction in China During 1st to 17th Centuries AD,” PLoS ONE 14, no. 3 (March 22, 2019): e0214119, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214119.
Elizabeth Golden, “Traditional Materials Optimized for the Twenty-First Century,” CHANGE, Architecture, Education, Practices - Barcelona - 66, n.d.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
METI HANDMADE SCHOOL
De Vries, “Bamboo Construction Technology for Housing in Bangladesh: Opportunities and Constraints of Applying Latin American Bamboo Construction Technologies for Housing in Selected Rural Villages of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh.”
Project Author, “| Anna Heringer Facebook Title,” n.d., https://www.anna-heringer.com/projects/meti-school- bangladesh/.
“Pilot Projects – Shanti-Bangladesh Partnership,” n.d., https://shanti.de/wordpress/project/pilotprojekte.
“METI Handmade School by Anna Heringer,” Issuu, November 22, 2023, https://issuu.com/athiba.balasubramanian/docs/meti_handmadeschool.
Apu Hrishi, “Sustainable Construction Materials for Bangladesh in Tropical Climate, Literature Review,” by Global Journal of Cultural Studies, Global Journal of Cultural Studies 3 (2024).
Andry Widyowijatnoko, “Traditional and Innovative Joints in Bamboo Construction,” by RWTH Aachen University and University of Duisburg-Essen (Verlagshaus Mainz GmbH Aachen, 2012), http://dnb.ddb.de.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
KANTANA INSTITUTE
Archova, “Smart Use of Brick in Thai Residency: A Case Study,” Archova Visuals (blog), April 6, 2025, https://archovavisuals.com/smart-use-of-brick-in-thai-residency-case-study/.
“Bangkok Project Studio,” n.d., http://bangkokprojectstudio.co/kantana.html.
The primary material of bamboo has been used in local Bangladeshi construction as houses since ancient times, and has time to develop joinery methods as such. Rammed Earth, specifically cob, was used for its climate control properties, structural properties, and its availability.
The usage of bamboo in METI Handmade School was for structure, ventilation, and aesthetics, depending on where you look. The cob is used for structure and aesthetics as well as function through the creation of walls and wall cavities. Other materials emphasize the functions of bamboo and cob, though window coverings or additional structural support.
Date: 2007
Location: Rudrapur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
Region: Southern Asia
Architect: Anna Heringer, Eike Roswag Architecture Firm: Studio Anna Heringer Primary Materials: bamboo, bricks, Earth (cob)
Secondary Materials: textiles, lime, jute, steel pins, nylon rope
Material Source: mostly natural and local materials
GALLERY
GALLERY
GALLERY
The local use of masonry dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, but didn’t gain popularity until the Ming Dynasty. Stonework started gaining popularity when the structural properties were noticed, specifically the stones ability to withstand firepower. As stonework continued to be used, a technique called Wapan developed. It is a technique traditionally used in smaller villages that don’t have the resources to gain new material for all new constructions, but can reuse or combine material from old or other projects.
The Ningbo Museum uses masonry specifically with the Wapan technique by the usage of local ruins for stone and inserts a special touch of culture by using the found stones to start resembling the surrounding context on a rural site. The secondary materials on this building, specifically steel, is for structural integrity. The other materials are either for aesthetics or insulation. Stonework is a good insulator, but in large amounts horizontally (thickness).With today’s technology, the usage of other insulation methods allow for less stone and more intricate collage like stonework like this facade.
Date: 2008
Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Region: Eastern Asia
Architect(s): Wang Shu, Lu Wenyu
Architecture Firm: Amatur Architecture Studio (Hangzhou)
Primary Materials: traditional masonry (278) (brick and stone) Secondary Materials: Concrete (precast units, reinforced, slabs), stone walling, mortar, safety glass, gypsum plaster Material Source: reused from demolished stones taken from ruins of villages
The usage of bricks dates back to ancient times in Thailand seen though ancient temples, palaces, and homes. Brick as a material has insulation and fire/ termite repellent properties that make it a desirable long term construction material. Brick is often made with the local clay to the area, allowing for a wide range of colors within Thailand.
For the Kantana Institute, there were over 600,000 handmade bricks to create the facade. The design allows for desirable ventilation though the bricks. The brick layout however, was only possible due to the steel structural reinforcements hidden underneath. The combination of these materials created a unique institution where students can use all the space on the site for a diversity of programs.
Date: 2011
Location: Kantana Movie Town, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand
Region: Southeastern Asia
Architect(s): Premthada Boonserm
Architecture Firm: Bangkok Project Studio
Primary Materials: bricks
Secondary Materials: concrete, steel
Material Source: handmade bricks made locally, interior steel structure
Transfigured Matter: The Vernacular and The Industrial- Mishita K
Mishita
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Transcript
Transfigured Matter:
The Vernacular and The Industrial
OVERVIEW
Created By: Mishita Kandula
oVERVIEW
Vernacular architecture is the first designed architecture reintroduced. Combining historic local materials and traditions with technological innovations, vernacular architecture allows local identity to transform a building. This exhibition showcases: local building materials fusing with today's new building materials. The fusion of old and new materials allows for more durable structures that serve the communities with a purpose, such as climate control, a sense of identity, or both. This exhibition highlights Ningbo Historic Museum, METI Handmade School, and Kantana Institute: all of which use today's technology to enhance the purpose of local material used within them.
OVERVIEW
Ningbo Historic Museum, built in 2008 in China, pioneers the historic Wapan technique of masonry. The Wapan technique is an ancient masonry technique for rural masons who worked with available local stone and discards from the villages. The Ningbo Museum reuses demolished stone from the ruins of villages to create a facade. This facade uses the Wapan technique with carefully chosen stones to resemble the surrounding geographical context and is made possible through the use of various types of concrete (precast, reinforced, slabs) for the structural foundation.
OVERVIEW
METI Handmade School, built in 2007 in Bangladesh, uses bamboo and rammed Earth (cob) along with other local materials to design a learning environment for a rural space while accommodating the weather. Bamboo is an ancient material, initially used to create houses with several unique joinery methods. This building focuses on lashing, where a new rope-like material is introduced to create exterior knots. In METI School, bamboo was used for its local proximity, structural capabilities, and climate qualities. It was used to create the roof, column, and floor structures, and exterior aesthetics though diagonal members with structural reinforcement purposes. Lashing joints are traditionally made with local materials, but this building uses nylon lashing and steel pins to increase structural integrity for the building. Lashing is used to create a roof truss system and vertical/ diagonal connections for the structure. Cob was used as the foundation for both floors, with the second floor being aided by a bamboo frame.
OVERVIEW
Kantana Institute, built in 2011 in Thailand, uses handmade bricks as their primary local material. The usage of bricks with local clay dates back to ancient times in Thailand, seen through temples, palaces, and houses of that time. This material allows for temperature control and is fire and termite resistant, making it durable for long term construction. Intricate brick work is a notable part of Thai brick architecture. Concrete in this building is used as a sturdy foundation that allows for steel to be inserted for a vertical structure system. The handmade bricks are then laid as a wavy pattern on either side of steel frames to create ventilation systems to accommodate weather while exhibiting some intricate stonework.
oVERVIEW
Uniting the Ningbo Historic Museum, METI Handmade School, and Kantana Institute, these sites demonstrate the essence of vernacular architecture: the sense of identity that comes from using local material while new building materials enhance their ability to accomplish their purpose.
Ningbo Historic Museum
+ Info
Gallery
Meti handmade School
+ Info
Gallery
Kantana Insitution
+ Info
Gallery
BIBLIOGRAPHY
LIBRARY
NINGBO HISTORIC MUSEUM Schittich, Christian, ed. Museum Buildings : Construction and Design Manual. München: Detail Business Information GmbH, The, 2016. Accessed October 26, 2025. ProQuest Ebook Central. METI HANDMADE SCHOOL Elements of Sustainable Architecture. Oxford: Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. Accessed October 26, 2025. ProQuest Ebook Central. KANTANA INSTITUTE Anurakyawachon, Pirak. "FILM INSTITUTE BOONSERM PREMTHADA." The Architectural Review 230, no. 1378 (12, 2011): 43-49,4. https://lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/trade- journals/film-institute-boonserm-premthada/docview/912680698/se-2.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
NINGBO HISTORIC MUSEUM
“Ningbo History Museum Amateur Architecture Studio,” Chinese-Architects, n.d., https://www.chinese- architects.com/en/projects/view/ningbo-history-museum. Qiaofeng Xue et al., “The Historical Process of the Masonry City Walls Construction in China During 1st to 17th Centuries AD,” PLoS ONE 14, no. 3 (March 22, 2019): e0214119, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214119. Elizabeth Golden, “Traditional Materials Optimized for the Twenty-First Century,” CHANGE, Architecture, Education, Practices - Barcelona - 66, n.d.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
METI HANDMADE SCHOOL
De Vries, “Bamboo Construction Technology for Housing in Bangladesh: Opportunities and Constraints of Applying Latin American Bamboo Construction Technologies for Housing in Selected Rural Villages of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh.” Project Author, “| Anna Heringer Facebook Title,” n.d., https://www.anna-heringer.com/projects/meti-school- bangladesh/. “Pilot Projects – Shanti-Bangladesh Partnership,” n.d., https://shanti.de/wordpress/project/pilotprojekte. “METI Handmade School by Anna Heringer,” Issuu, November 22, 2023, https://issuu.com/athiba.balasubramanian/docs/meti_handmadeschool. Apu Hrishi, “Sustainable Construction Materials for Bangladesh in Tropical Climate, Literature Review,” by Global Journal of Cultural Studies, Global Journal of Cultural Studies 3 (2024). Andry Widyowijatnoko, “Traditional and Innovative Joints in Bamboo Construction,” by RWTH Aachen University and University of Duisburg-Essen (Verlagshaus Mainz GmbH Aachen, 2012), http://dnb.ddb.de.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
KANTANA INSTITUTE
Archova, “Smart Use of Brick in Thai Residency: A Case Study,” Archova Visuals (blog), April 6, 2025, https://archovavisuals.com/smart-use-of-brick-in-thai-residency-case-study/. “Bangkok Project Studio,” n.d., http://bangkokprojectstudio.co/kantana.html.
The primary material of bamboo has been used in local Bangladeshi construction as houses since ancient times, and has time to develop joinery methods as such. Rammed Earth, specifically cob, was used for its climate control properties, structural properties, and its availability. The usage of bamboo in METI Handmade School was for structure, ventilation, and aesthetics, depending on where you look. The cob is used for structure and aesthetics as well as function through the creation of walls and wall cavities. Other materials emphasize the functions of bamboo and cob, though window coverings or additional structural support.
Date: 2007 Location: Rudrapur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh Region: Southern Asia Architect: Anna Heringer, Eike Roswag Architecture Firm: Studio Anna Heringer Primary Materials: bamboo, bricks, Earth (cob) Secondary Materials: textiles, lime, jute, steel pins, nylon rope Material Source: mostly natural and local materials
GALLERY
GALLERY
GALLERY
The local use of masonry dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, but didn’t gain popularity until the Ming Dynasty. Stonework started gaining popularity when the structural properties were noticed, specifically the stones ability to withstand firepower. As stonework continued to be used, a technique called Wapan developed. It is a technique traditionally used in smaller villages that don’t have the resources to gain new material for all new constructions, but can reuse or combine material from old or other projects. The Ningbo Museum uses masonry specifically with the Wapan technique by the usage of local ruins for stone and inserts a special touch of culture by using the found stones to start resembling the surrounding context on a rural site. The secondary materials on this building, specifically steel, is for structural integrity. The other materials are either for aesthetics or insulation. Stonework is a good insulator, but in large amounts horizontally (thickness).With today’s technology, the usage of other insulation methods allow for less stone and more intricate collage like stonework like this facade.
Date: 2008 Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Region: Eastern Asia Architect(s): Wang Shu, Lu Wenyu Architecture Firm: Amatur Architecture Studio (Hangzhou) Primary Materials: traditional masonry (278) (brick and stone) Secondary Materials: Concrete (precast units, reinforced, slabs), stone walling, mortar, safety glass, gypsum plaster Material Source: reused from demolished stones taken from ruins of villages
The usage of bricks dates back to ancient times in Thailand seen though ancient temples, palaces, and homes. Brick as a material has insulation and fire/ termite repellent properties that make it a desirable long term construction material. Brick is often made with the local clay to the area, allowing for a wide range of colors within Thailand. For the Kantana Institute, there were over 600,000 handmade bricks to create the facade. The design allows for desirable ventilation though the bricks. The brick layout however, was only possible due to the steel structural reinforcements hidden underneath. The combination of these materials created a unique institution where students can use all the space on the site for a diversity of programs.
Date: 2011 Location: Kantana Movie Town, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand Region: Southeastern Asia Architect(s): Premthada Boonserm Architecture Firm: Bangkok Project Studio Primary Materials: bricks Secondary Materials: concrete, steel Material Source: handmade bricks made locally, interior steel structure