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Introduction “The notion of a traditionally Samoan building, its place and its meaning becomes an increasingly large grey area of uncertainty and curiosity the more one begins to compare and contrast ‘traditional’ with ‘contemporary’ counterparts. This argument exists for a number of reasons, notably: first, the idea of tradition itself. What exactly counts as tradition and, can tradition change and still be valid? Second, the location of said building: does it bear the same status in a diasporic location as it would in its homeland? Third, does the use of modern technologies advance or decay a tradition, and/or Samoan architecture? Fourth, if a building is not strictly being activated – during the building process and built life of the building – the way it would be ‘traditionally’, can it still be considered Samoan? . . . These points become vital in the understanding of newly built architecture in the Pacific and around the Pacific rim, particularly in regards to the notion of what Pacific Architecture is.” Excerpt from "Pacific Architecture: The Samoan Fale", Elisapeta Heta 2009
- The rounded roof of a traditional Samoan Fale recalls the shape of an upturned boat - an evocative reminder of the potential portability of structures, designs, ideas, and cultures. Visitors to Window Online can download Elisapeta Heta's Kitset Fale blueprints, which can be resized, printed out, and used to build new iterations of the project.
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