Department Of Architecture

Chapter one
Introduction To:

Appropriate Building/construction Technology

for Architecture
By:- Binyam G.
 Contents
 Introduction
 Criteria for appropriate technology selection
 Importance of appropriate technology
 Appropriate building/construction technology
 Appropriate architecture
 Introduction
 Appropriate: Suitable, proper, economical and take for one’s own use without
permission.
 Building/construction: The way in which something has been built, especially
with regard to the type and quality of the structure, materials, and
workmanship.
 the art of constructing building for different purpose according to its design and
specification is called building construction.
 Technology:
 Is the branch sciences concerned with application of scientific knowledge for
a certain practical purposes.
 Technology is the implementation of science for human benefit both physically
and mentally.
 Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines,
techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a
problem or perform a specific function.
 Appropriate Technology :
 reflects an approach to technological development, characterized by creative and
sound engineering, that recognizes the social, environmental, political, economical,
as well as, technical aspects of a proposed technological solution to a problem facing
a society.

 The term 'Appropriate technology' represents a number of things at a time. It can

be a technique or a package of techniques or a process and a product.

 Appropriate technology may be sometimes "considered a social movement and a

collection of hardware (such as machines, products, infrastructures-roads, water
distribution system) and design alternatives presumably responsive to the ideology
of that movement.
 At present there is no consensus/general agreement about the
term "appropriate technology". However it is clearly recognized
by its various characteristics.
1st. In terms of material aspects of appropriate technology
production, "appropriateness" connotes the use of renewable
sources of energy and recyclable materials, minimum destructive
impact on the environment and maximum utilization of local
resources.
2nd. In terms of application, appropriate technology connotes
assimilation with local environmental and cultural conditions. It
does not overwhelm/decline the community but is comprehensible,
accessible and easy to maintain.
 General Characteristics of appropriate technologies

 are low in capital costs;

 use local materials whenever possible;
 create jobs, employing local skills and labor;
 are small enough in scale to be affordable by a small group of farmers;

note: affordable describes dwelling units whose total housing costs are
deemed . e.g. Condominium distribution

 can be understood, controlled and maintained by villagers wherever

possible, without high level of Western style education;
 can be produced out of a small metal working shop, if not in a village
itself;
 suppose that people can and will work together to collectively bring
improvements to their communities, recognizing that in most of the world
important decisions are made by groups rather than by individuals;
 involve decentralized renewable energy sources, such as wind
power, solar energy, water power, mechanic gas, animal power
and pedal power (such as in that highly efficient machine, the
bicycle);
 are flexible so that they can continue to be used or adapted to
fit changing circumstances;

 do not involve patents, royalties, consultant fees, import

duties, shopping changes, or financial wizards; practical plans
can be obtained free or at low cost and no further payment is
involved.
 Criteria for appropriate technology selection

 Technology must conform to geography and climate of the particular area.

 Technology that can be manipulated by human focusing mainly on local
workers
 to create job opportunities for local people.
 Must be simple technology that can be studied easily and can be trained in
the area.
 Must be low investment technology, low investment risk and can be
possessed by a majority in the community.
 Must be a technology that uses local materials and low energy production.
 Must be environmental and user friendly technology.
 Must be durable, long lasting and occasionally be recyclable
 Importance of appropriate technology

 Appropriate technology is important due to its holistic nature:

 Firstly, it permits local needs to be met more effectively through
community involvement, and for this reason, it tends to be aligned with
local values and traditions.
 Secondly, it utilizes human labor by developing tools rather than
machines. This enables people to self-organize without complicated
management training and specialized knowledge.
 Thirdly, it minimizes transport of goods in an era of expensive and
environmentally harmful energy, allowing greater local industry
participation and implementation of local resources, both human and
material.
 Fourthly, it reinforces local control which provides a cushion against
the effects of outside economic changes.
 Finally, it establishes a self-sustaining skill base and reduces
economic, social and political dependency between individuals, regions
and nations.
 Appropriate Building/Construction Technology

 The term 'Appropriate building technology' refers to building processes

and tools that are appropriate to the climate, socio-economic conditions and
natural resources of an area, and which contribute to sustainable
development
 ACT comes from two components which are construction material
production’s technology and construction technology using the materials.
 Influential factors depend on location, local resources users’ skill, tools,
transportation, social, environment, culture and economy.

The relationships of technology, appropriate technology and appropriate construction (building) technology
Appropriate Architecture

 The term ‘Appropriate Architecture' is used for the integration into

construction of all the separate technologies and disciplines involved in the
research and promotion of sustainable solutions. 'Green Architecture' is
another name used for this approach.
 Features
 Appropriateness
 Low operating cost
 Minimum serviceability
 Susainable energy technologies