Yitbarek, Elias (PhD)Seid, Yalew2018-06-262023-11-082018-06-262023-11-082013-11http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/3548In this era of globalization, where mixity of cultural fabrics are increasing and where the advancement of technology is taking place, it becomes challenging to protect the vernacular house, compound and settlement(HCS) from influence. So there must be way of appropriating the influence and enhance the vernaculars in going along with the transformation. In order to achieve this, the research aimed to understand and record existing situation of the vernacular house compound and settlement of Gurage in terms of physical and spatial aspects; which then check and show the existence of transformation in reference with its original setting. It also investigates factors and actors of the transformation and evaluates it by checking criticality of factors and contextuality of solutions provided. After which it is summed up with recommendations. Detailed case study research method is employed in addition to qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to achieve the research’s objectives. After exploring, recording and analyzing existing situations of the Gurage vernacular house, compound and settlement(HCS) it proves that there exists transformation. The transformations found out based on this research are both externally and internally triggered which are named as exo-generic and endo-generic transformations respectively. In which governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and the people themselves, directly or indirectly, play their role in the process. Appropriateness of the transformation is tested through criticality of factors,which causes the transformation, and contextuality of solutions. Based on this test some are critical and contextual, critical and non-contextual, non-critical and contextual and noncritical factors and non-contextual solution. In the process of physical and spatial transformation it is found out that hidden or indirect factors also have great impact or contribution, like population growth and economic status. It is also found out that most transforming elements are adopted from a common rural town housing typology ‘korkoro bet’ to overcome challenges of the vernacular ones and/or other influences. This is an indicator showing demands for the provision of appropriate alternative design solutions to be adapted or implemented directly in the area. This research also proves that transformation of vernacular house, compound and settlement(HCS) is inevitable. So, one possible option to keep and enhance the vernacular fabric is to guide the transformation in an appropriate wayenVernacular house compoundThesis