The Asian House: Contemporary Houses of Southeast Asia

The Asian House showcases, for the first time, outstanding contemporary houses from five Southeast Asian countries in a single volume. This book demonstrates how a generation of post-colonial architects have successfully drawn upon their rich cultural backgrounds to produce modern Southeast Asian dwellings. Vernacular architectural forms, spatial relationships and indigenous materials are adapted and synthesised with Western architecture and technology to produce gracious dwellings which are responsive to tropical ecology and Asian lifestyles. In presenting the material, the author skilfully excavates through layers of vernacular, immigrant, colonial and religious influences. The effects of rapid urbanisation and modernisation on local architecture are also examined. This book is an essential addition to general, special and university libraries. It will also appeal to architectural students, professionals and anyone who is interested in beautiful houses.