Vernacular Architecture Society

of South Africa

About VASSA

Vernacular Architecture is defined as;“Building in indigenous styles, constructed from locally available materials, following traditional building practice and patterns, and not architect–designed.”

In 1964 the Vernacular Architecture Society of South Africa was founded as a result of the interest in folk buildings stimulated by a course at the University of Cape Town Summer School, led by Dr James Walton.

Aims of the Society

• promote and encourage the study of SA architecture and its associated culture
• organise lectures to stimulate interest and provide information
• arrange excursions and study tours of vernacular architectural sites
• foster research
• publish original work
• undertake and promote the recording of sites visited
• publish or lodge studies or surveys in a repository for the use of students and other interested parties
• selectively lobby for heritage issues
  

Activities of the Society
The Society arranges monthly lectures, usually illustrated with slides, on topics relevant to its interests. These are interpreted broadly and include talks on the vernacular architecture of other countries and related subjects. The Society also arranges monthly visits and occasional weekends to areas and buildings of interest, thereby introducing members at first hand to local vernacular architecture. The results of these studies and surveys may be published or lodged in a repository, thereby providing a permanent record for the use of students and others interested in the subject.

Committee