From Silence to Thriving: Architecture as a Voice for the Wayuu Tribe
Disciplines
Architectural History and Criticism | Historic Preservation and Conservation
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This architectural research addresses a profound humanitarian crisis faced by the Wayuu Tribe, an ancient indigenous community in Colombia that is gradually disappearing and threatened with extinction. The Wayuu people have endured centuries of adversity, including colonialism, exploitation, violence, drug trafficking, and marginalization, resulting in profound damage. At the heart of this crisis lies the loss of the tribe's history, ancient knowledge, and cultural manifestations. This research aims to translate the Wayuu Tribe’s architectural traditions, spatial wisdom, and design philosophies into tangible designs. The basis of this research draws from Kenneth Frampton's critical regionalism and Sibyl Moholy-Nagy's humanist approach. Furthermore, it analyzes architectural works of Jane Drew, Francis Kere, Gregory Burgess, and Balkrishna Doshi, architects who advocated for participatory design and incorporated indigenous techniques, motifs, symbols, meanings, and artwork. It also studies psychological aspects of design related to social sustainability, cultural resilience, empowerment, and the preservation of Wayuu heritage. Beyond architecture, this study will explore Colombian artistic work that integrates indigenous elements into contemporary forms, including the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez's literature and traditional music capable of connecting people and transmitting cultural legacy. These elements form a comprehensive framework for a design approach that seeks not only to learn from the Wayuu culture but also to address a fundamental question: What design strategies, derived from the collective memories of the Wayuu people, can be developed to effectively raise awareness about the plight and to empower this community?
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CACM - Architecture
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Arief Setiawan
From Silence to Thriving: Architecture as a Voice for the Wayuu Tribe
This architectural research addresses a profound humanitarian crisis faced by the Wayuu Tribe, an ancient indigenous community in Colombia that is gradually disappearing and threatened with extinction. The Wayuu people have endured centuries of adversity, including colonialism, exploitation, violence, drug trafficking, and marginalization, resulting in profound damage. At the heart of this crisis lies the loss of the tribe's history, ancient knowledge, and cultural manifestations. This research aims to translate the Wayuu Tribe’s architectural traditions, spatial wisdom, and design philosophies into tangible designs. The basis of this research draws from Kenneth Frampton's critical regionalism and Sibyl Moholy-Nagy's humanist approach. Furthermore, it analyzes architectural works of Jane Drew, Francis Kere, Gregory Burgess, and Balkrishna Doshi, architects who advocated for participatory design and incorporated indigenous techniques, motifs, symbols, meanings, and artwork. It also studies psychological aspects of design related to social sustainability, cultural resilience, empowerment, and the preservation of Wayuu heritage. Beyond architecture, this study will explore Colombian artistic work that integrates indigenous elements into contemporary forms, including the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez's literature and traditional music capable of connecting people and transmitting cultural legacy. These elements form a comprehensive framework for a design approach that seeks not only to learn from the Wayuu culture but also to address a fundamental question: What design strategies, derived from the collective memories of the Wayuu people, can be developed to effectively raise awareness about the plight and to empower this community?