Draft:Vernacular Resonance

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Vernacular Resonance is a type of aesthetic guidance to include in zoning and land use codes that requires new buildings to reference historical or vernacular styles. It is similar to Form Based Code in the sense that it prioritizes form over function, however, it is less prescriptive and can be applied across scales and building types. Vernacular Resonance is a response to people's desire to preserve or promote community character as new architecture is introduced into historic neighborhoods or to encourage visually interesting architecture in new neighborhoods. Rather than prescribing a specific desired aesthetic outcome, Vernacular Resonance asks that a proposed project select a local vernacular or historically significant style and, with the use of a point system, incorporate references to a certain number of outwardly visible features from a select style. This approach leaves ample room for architectural creativity, modern materials and methods, and innovative outcomes, while minimizing the likelihood that new buildings will lack visual interest. By placing new buildings in communication with significant local architectural examples, Vernacular Resonance helps to highlight and distinguish the traditions of the neighborhoods or regions where it is used.

Placemaking: In addition to references to architectural styles, Vernacular Resonance also includes a set of placemaking guidelines that connect site design to vernacular ways of planning for how buildings interact with the streetscape to create activated, walkable public spaces.

Vernacular Resonance was first described in the book, Metrocoalescence, A Zoning Paradigm for Vibrant Cities.