ABSTRACT
Even when a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, destroys their houses and belongings and leaves little choice of housing why do some people refuse to occupy newly-designed-and-built buildings due to unsuitability? An embedded primary question taken up here is: In what ways does architecture affect culture? This chapter elucidates the potential roles of architecture vis-à-vis culture; the ways architecture affects the culture, describing in addition to inappropriate, appropriate, supportive, two additional ones of cultural-ecological and culture-inspiriting designs; and the effects of inappropriately planned and designed environments, along with adjustments and adaptations these necessitate. It reinforces the point that cultural suitability is important to culture members and broadens the role of architecture. The conclusion takes up a few philosophical issues, the ways cultural requirements are presented, ‘design failures’, and the designer’s role in today’s non-traditional contexts.
