About the CPD

This talk focuses on the current state and conservation efforts of vernacular architecture in Fiji and Vanuatu, examining its roles in disaster resilience and cultural continuity. By presenting case studies such as the reconstruction project on Tanna Island, Vanuatu, the voluntary conservation efforts in Navala Village, Fiji, and the transformations of vernacular architecture on Lau and Kioa Islands, we explore the contemporary significance of “conserving traditional architecture.” In Tanna, traditional building methods enhance cyclone resilience, while in Navala Village, Fiji, architectural heritage is actively maintained alongside modern housing projects. Additional examples from Lau and Kioa in Fiji highlight adaptations that incorporate industrial materials while conserving traditional spatial functions. Through these diverse examples, this talk reflects on the balance between addressing modern needs and sustaining the cultural values embedded in traditional architecture, encouraging a rethinking of what “conservation” means in today’s architectural and community resilience contexts.

About the Speaker

Dr Ayako FUJIEDA

Ayako Fujieda is an Associate Professor at Kyoto Seika University’s Faculty of Global Culture. She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Global Environmental Studies from Kyoto University. Her research focuses on traditional building practices, human settlement, and disaster resilience, particularly in Fiji and Vanuatu as well as in some Asian countries. Her research highlights the adaptive strategies within traditional architecture, emphasizing sustainable practices that support both environmental and cultural resilience in the face of modern challenges. Her selected works include “Comprehensive Approach to Sustaining Vernacular Architecture in the Local Context: Case Study in Tanna Island, Vanuatu” and “Potentials of Fijian Traditional Housing to Cope with Natural Disasters in Rural Fiji.”