lanexang village analysis book

8/13/2019 Lanexang Village Analysis Book

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/lanexang-village-analysis-book 1/39



Zoe Ganch

ARCH 2001

Architecture Design IV

Spring 2012 Section 1

Exposing the Vernacular of LaneXang

VillageLSU School of Architecture



table of contents



03

05

07

09

11

13

1517

19

21

23

2527

29

31

33

preface

PEOPLE

history

migration

employment

education

familyreligion

PLACE

climate

land and zone conditions

farm to outdoor kitchen

site diagrams

trash acceptance

housing conditions

analysis

35 design solution



03



Preface The vernacular of Lanexang village encompassesgenerations of historical context and cultural traditions. Thefollowing analysis disects the story of the Lao-Americanmigration and cultural assimilation through an ecological,psychological, and social setting. After visiting the site first-hand, observations were recorded and analyzed in order

to completely understand and present the data. Thisanalysis uses the specific information gathered to bridge the gap between cultural interpretation and true meaning.Each aspect of Lao traditions and ecological conditionsof the site have made an impactxxx on the vernaculararchitecture and design of the community, as well as theLao-American way of life.

04



05


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/lanexang-village-analysis-book 9/39people[2] Photograph. Flickr. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/

visbeek/4571073455/in/pho-

tostream/>.



1 3 0 0 s

1 3 5 1

1 3 7 3

L a o h i

s t o r y b e g

a n w i t h F a

N g u m

w h o f o

u n d e

d t h e f i r s t

L a o s t

a t e,

L a n X a

n g

F a N g u m

c o n q u e

r e d m a n

y t e r r

i t o -

r i e s a n

d e x t e n d e

d t h e c i v i l i z a

t i o n t o

t h e M

e k o n g R

i v e r.

history

07[3]



1 8 9 3

1 9 4 5

1 9 4 6

1 9 5 4

1 9 6

0 s

1 9 7 5

1 9 7 9

L a o s

b e c o m e s

a F r e n

c h

p r o t e c

t o r a t e

.

T o w a

r d s t h e e n

d o f W

W l l, L a

o s

b e c o

m e s o c c u

p i e d b y t

h e J a

p a -

n e s e

.

F r a n c

e r e g a

i n s r u l e o f

L a o s.

L a o s

r e g a

i n s i n d

e p e n d e n c

e w h i c

h r e s u

l t s i n a c i v i l

w a r b

e t w e e n t h e

r o y a

l i s t s a n d c o

m m u n

i s t r e p

r e -

s e n t a

t i v e s k n o

w n a s

P a t h e t L a

o.

T h e U

. S. s u b

j e c t s L a

o s t o

h e a v y

b o m b

-

i n g s w h i c

h w e r e

i n t e n d

e d f o r V

i e t n a m -

e s e s a

n c t u a

r i e s. P a

t h e t L a

o g a i n s

c o n t r o l.

F o o d

s h o r t

a g e s a n

d p o l i t i c a l

s t r i f e s e n d

L a o r e

f u g e e s

t o f l e e

t o T h a i l a n

d.

083Zasloff, Joseph J.. “Laos.” The History Channel . N.p., 2009. Web. 22 Jan 2012. http://www.history.com/topics/laos .

“Laos Profile.” News Asia-Pacific. 19 10 2011: n. page. Web. 29 Jan. 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15355605.

Lai, Eric. “Laotion Americans.” Asian-Nation. UCLA Asian American Studies Center, 2003. Web. 22 Jan 2012. http://www.asian-nation.org/laotian.shtml .

3



09

migration

who

why

The Hmong refugees are an asian ethnic group of

Vietnam, Thailand, China, and Laos. In Laos, they

lived in mountainous regions and created their own

villages where they lived poorly. The Hmong people

were constantly singled out by the Lao government

and accused of being the stem of the country’sproblems.

The Hmong struggle rooted from the Vietnam war

where they sided with the United States. The Hmong

fought against the communist group, Pathet Lao, who

later took over the government and caused great

strife for these native people.

how The Hmong people began to flee Laos in hopes for

a better life. Their first destination during this migration

was in Thailand where they were housed in refugee

camps and prepared for life in the United States. The

refugees were then sent to San Francisco with the

support of government aid and non-profit organizations

where they were housed temporarily until they wereplaced in other states.

where Hmong immigrants were relocated across the

country into urban cities where work was available

to them. Many of them remained in California where

todays largest Lao population exists. Other states

with large Lao populations include Minnesota, Texas,

Washington state, and North Carolina.

4



0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000

10

5 6 7

4 Ortiz, KC. The Jungle Hmong. Photograph. Time. Time Photos. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2005687_2168274,00.html>.5 Ortiz, KC. Hmong Veterans. Photograph. Angry Asian Man. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://blog.angryasianman.com/2010/02/hmong-veterans-of-cias-secret-war.html>.6 Constantine, Greg. 2007. Photograph. Thailand. Fearing a Forced Return. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/article.cfm?id=2705>.7 Photograph. Hmong Seaching for a Home. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://khampoua.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/hmong-searching-for-a-home/>.

Pfeifer, Mark E. “Lao-American Census Data.” Hmong Studies Internet Resource Center. Web. 28 Jan. 2012. <http://hmongstudies.org/LaoCensusData.html>.

california

washington state

texas

minnesota

north carolina

p o p u l a t i o n b y s t a t e



employment

11

Agencies such as the U.S. Catholic Conference

began to place Laotian-Americans in Louisiana in

1980. A Laotian community began to emerge in New

Iberia due to new job opportunities spurring from the

oil boom. The government also began to fund skilled

labor training with Redfox Industries.

[8]



12

U.S. Lao Median Family Income (2000)

$42,445

% U.S. Lao with Public Assistance Income

in 2000

14.2%

% U.S. Lao Families Below the Poverty

Level in 2000

17.1%

production, transportation,

material moving

sales and office

service

management

construction, extraction,

maitenance

farming, fisihing, forestry

Because of the language bar-

rier, the Laotians were re-

stricted on career choices.

Men were trained to become

welders and the women wereforced to get jobs as well. Con-

trary to their life in Laos, the

women now take on the role of

wage-earner, along with taking

care of the home and children.

While many of the Laotians are

skilled workers, some began to

establish themselves as own-

ers of small grocery stores and

8 Photograph. Flickr. Technolinks Inc. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/endcap/6496472013/sizes/l/in/photostream/>.all information on page Pfeifer, Mark E. “Lao-American Census Data.” Hmong Studies Internet Resource Center. Web. 28 Jan. 2012. <http://hmongstudies.org/LaoCensusData.html>.



education

13

“My children will surely be influenced by their scholastic

environment and be Americanized very fast. I can’t

and don’t intend to stop this natural process. I just

want them not to forget their own culture. The ideal

is the combination of the positive traits of the two

cultures.”

A Laotian refugee, cited in Voices from Southeast Asia: The Refugee

Experience in the United States

9



14

educational

attainment

less than 9th grade

9th to 12th grade, no

degreehigh school graduate

some college no degree

associate degree

bachelor’s degree

graduate or professional

degreeone person equals one percent of population

Learning English hindered the economic adjustment of the Laotian-

American population. Two-thirds of Laotians over the age of 5 claim

that they don’t speak English very well in 1990. Parents were unable to

help their children with school. There was not much higher education

either, mostly due to lack of financial resources.

Although the first and second generation immigrants were the basis of

these education attainment statistics, times are changing and dropout

rates may begin to fall in the coming years. During our site visit to

Lanexang Village, we saw a school bus with kids coming home from

school just like any other American town. Dressed in uniforms, this

group of kids appeared to be assimilating into American society and

seem to be on a brighter road towards graduation and possibly college.

10

Pfeifer, Mark E. “Lao-American Census Data.” Hmong Studies Internet Resource Center. Web. 28 Jan. 2012. <http://hmongstudies.org/LaoCensusData.html>.9 Photograph. Laotian American Writer’s Society. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://laowriters.blogspot.com/2010/07/lao-american-writers-summit-free-for-50.html>.10 Photograph. Laotian American Scholarship Foundation. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://laoamericanscholarship.org/how-to-apply/>.



family

15

Laotians traditionally live in a home with their extended

family, which testifies to success and prosperity. The

homes inhabitants include multigenerational members

of the father’s clan, including those who joined through

marriage. Within the family, men are considered

superior because they occupy key positions in the

public realm. Traditionally, the women are supposed

to handle the household affairs.

“To be with a family is to

be happy. To be without

a family is to be lost.”

11



16

laotian-american home | 5-8 peoplelaotian home | 8-12 people

The traditional Laotian home houses 8-12 family members. This helps

the family as a whole financially, as well as emotionally. The women

were generally in charge of household affairs. They were in charge of

caring for the children, schooling the children, cooking, and cleaning.

The men would work to support the family financially. Traditionally,

women were expected to obey the wishes of the men, in-laws, and

their parents. They were generally regarded as inferior to the men of

the household.

Due to the financial struggles of Laotian-American immigrants, women

now take on larger roles and obtain jobs in the skilled crafts industry.

Although the home still needs care, it is no longer solely the woman’s

job. Now that women no longer spend their day at home, in effect,

children tend to get into more trouble and do not focus on school.

While visiting the site, however, there were a few home-owners that

were not at work.

12 13

1411 Trailer Condition, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.12 Photograph. Walking with the Weeches. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://www.jamespoyser.com/travels/2009/05/nong-khiaw/>.13 Carport. 2012. Photograph. Broussard. LA.14 Kids getting off School Bus, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.



religion

tham

17

kam

sang

“law”; the order of the universe and

the Buddha’s teachings on right

order and belief

the retribution for actions and to the

responsibility of individuals for their

actions in prior incarnations and for all

actions in the present life; proposes

reincarnation

the monastic community within

which people can improve their own

positions; the best way to improve

one’s position is by becoming a

monk

15

15 Lao New Year. 2010. Photograph. Flickr. 24 Apr. 2010. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.flickr.com/photos/keojampa/4654414233/sizes/l/in/photostream/>.17 Photograph. Louisiana Kids and the Gulf of Mexico. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://hiirm.blogspot.com/2010/06/httpwww.html>.

Bankston, Carl L. “Bayou Lotus: Theravada Buddhism in Southwestern Louisiana.”Sociological Spectrum 17.4 (1997): 453-72. Print.18 Interior of Buddhist Temple in Lanexang Village, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.



The Laotian Americans of Lanexang village practice Theravada

Buddhism in the same respect as in Laos. Religion heavily influences

their way of life and forms the basis of their values and thinking.

Being involved in the community derives from the Buddhist way of

thinking. In order to achieve sang, the lao people of New Iberia

contribute to the community by donating items, food, and labor tothe village temple.

18

Religion also serves as a means of celebration. Several festivals

take place yearly in this small village, all based on Theravada

Buddhism in some way. Their morst important festival in the village

is the Laotian New Year where the community comes together to

worship and bring about health and prosperity. Donations are given

during these ceremonies in order to increase one’s merit.

16 17

18



19


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/lanexang-village-analysis-book 23/39place

19 Lanexang Village Entrance, Broussard, LA.

Personal photograph by author.

2012.



2120 Lanexang Village, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

21 Carmouche, Marcelle. Mold Image 1. 2012. Photograph. Broussard. LA.22 Carmouche, Marcelle. Mold Image 2. 2012. Photograph. Broussard. LA.

climate

p r e c i p i t a t i o n c o u n t

( i n c h e s )

The humidity and rainfall of Louisiana has

played a key role in the vernacular of

Lanexang Village. Due to flooding, some of

their homes have adopted the traditional

Lao home, perched above ground.

Mold was also discovered on several

homes during our site visit. My interpretation

is that the Laotians still practice their belief

of acceptance and decide to leave the

house as it is.

20

21 22



22

laos

louisiana

broussard

a v e

r a g e t e m p e r a t u r e s

( f a h r e n h e i t )

These spaces are shaded with awnings

and roofs in order to minimize the direct

heat put off by the sun.

Climate heavily influences the housing in

Lanexang Village with the high heat. In

order to practice the custom of community

gatherings, outdoor spaces are key.

Sinces the homes are relatively small and

considered a private space, the outdoor

carports and garages are converted into

entertainment and gathering spaces.

23 24 25

23 Batiste, Concious. Residential Image. 2012. Photograph. Broussard. LA.24 Dirks, Kason. Residential Image. 2012. Photograph. Broussard. LA.25 Baudry, Tess. Residential Image. 2012. Photograph. Broussard. LA.



The surrounding area of the village is essential to

understand the composition of Lanexang village. With a

nearby grocery east of the homes, their native foods are

available to them. The agricultural zones also help bridge

the gap between their native land and their new settlement.

Because agriculture was one of the main industries in

Laos, the surroundings adds that extra comfort.

land and zone

conditions

2326



24

residential

agricultural

commercial

industrial

ranch

lanexang

village

27

[26] Kramer, Kevin. Edge Condition 1. 2012. Photograph.

[27] Kramer, Kevin. Edge Condition 2. 2012. Photograph.



farm to

outdoor kitchen

25

Food is used in a sacred way in Laos and given to

monks to gain merit. Several gardens and chicken

coops were discovered during our site visit and it

was evident that the grown items were used in

their cooking. Located near the outdoor kitchen

area, growing food allows for the freshest andmost convenient cooking practices in the Lao

community.

28

29

[28] Bilski, Meghan. Flora. 2012. Photograph. Broussard. LA.

[29] Grill, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.



26

30 31 32 33

[30] Chickens, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

[31] Large Garden, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

[32] Small Garden, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.

[33] Plant, Broussard, LA. Personal photograph by author. 2012.



site diagrams

Drainage ditches were discovered during our site visit.

The main one was located along the two major roads,

with secondary ditches leading into them. The primary

gathering space and road were located near the temple

grounds and around the entrance. The heirarchy of space

was evident with the great work and detail put into the

Temple compared to the condition of the homes beside it.

34

34 Aerial View. 2012. Photograph. Broussard. LA. Google Maps. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. <http://maps.google.com/>.



28

heirarchy of gathering space residential spaces

drainage circulation

primary

secondary

tertiary

primary

secondarywater flow

primary

secondary

tertiary



trash

tolerance

29

While analyzing the trailor condition, it was discovered

that litter and trash were common items on the property.

The Lao belief in acceptance may contribute to this

interpretation, along with the issue of mold. Most of the

litter found were reminants of cigarette butts, empty beer

cans, and paper. The cigarettes and beer may indicate

an issue of addiction or strife within the community. Asshown earlier, the salaries of the inhabitants are low and

may induce the need for cigarettes and alcohol.

[35]



housing

conditions

31

carport condition trailer condition

40

41

42

40 Sandel, Austin. Site Model. 2012. Photograph. Baton Rouge, LA. 41 Prendergast, Kathleen. Carport Condition. 2012. Photograph. Broussard, LA.

42 Borchardt, Eugenie. Trailer Condition. 2012. Photograph. Broussard, LA.



32

garage condition Temple private monk temple private monk residence4344 45 46

43 Joyner, Jamie. Temple. 2012. Photograph. Broussard, LA. 44 Garage Condition. 2012. Photograph. Broussard, LA. 45 Joyner, Jamie. Monk Temple. 2012. Photograph. Broussard, LA. 46 Joyner, Jamie. Monk Residence. 2012. Photograph. Broussard, LA.

analysis



analysis



Following the site research conducted on LaneXang village in

Broussard, Louisiana, several interpretations can be made about

their vernacular and culture. The site itself told a lot about their

general attitude about their home life. Due to frequent public

gatherings, the objects on the site directly relate to that tradition.

Most of the items were either tables, chairs, grills, and other

kitchen appliances. However, the organization of the objects was

nonexistant. The organization of space, vegetation, and objects

were scattered and almost seemed to be left as garbage. Many

of the kitchen appliances were rusting and disintegrating . Properstorage of the appliances was not available. Most of the vegetation

seemed to be dead, due to lack of sunlight and soil conditions.

Back in Laos, vegetation was a big part of the Laotian lifestyle.

Home-grown vegetables were used in cooking as well as in religious

rituals. However, the transition of agriculture from Laos to Lanexang

was not very successful. Although many of the physical features

of Laotian culture haven’t successfully transitioned, their newest

generations are slowly assimilating into the American life.

bibliography

design solution



bibliography

33

design solution



34

During the research phase of this project, I concluded that there were three

main issues that needed to be dealt with. The first issue was the lack of organization

of space. Objects were randomly placed with no intention and clutter took over

the entire patio. The second issue I noticed was the lack of natural lighting within

the patio boundaries. The entire area was completely shaded with no light detail.

The third issue was the state of vegetation. Because of the poor placement of

vegetation, the plants were all wilted and dead. The garden space sat between two

structures preventing any sunlight to filter through.

In order to address these issues in my design solution, I began by creating

functional spaces that serve as designated areas for entertaining, cooking, and

private dining. With the entertainment/public space at the lowest level, it is easily

accessed by the public. The kitchen space sits in between the private dining space

and the public space for functionality and convenience. The private space is the

most enclosed space allowing for minimal circulation.

For the lighting issue, I created a series of horizontal slats on the private and

public spaces. The private space is mostly enclosed with small openings to allow

filtered light to pass through. The public space has the same horizontal slats but they

serve for lighting effect as well as structure for vines to grow on. With the opening

on the roof in the public space, southern light can easily spill through.

The vegetation issue was solved with proper placement of plant beds. The

main planter is located on the south side of the patio with optimal opportunityfor sunlight to penetrate. Another plant bed was moved behind the small storage

structure in order to have direct contact with the southern light.

lanexang village analysis book

Documents