During the French colonial period in Lao PDR (from 1893-1953), France integrated its architectural elements into traditional Lao architecture and modified them to suit the climate. The French colonial style continues to make a modest impact in most major towns and cities. The harmonious combination of traditional Lao architecture and French colonial influences shows the true values and wealth of a city's characteristics. These unique architectural styles and motifs are valuable to the area's heritage; many of these styles are still conserved today, especially in Luang Prabang, which was designated as a World Heritage city in 1995. Some historical buildings have been adapted according to social and economic factors. However, as elsewhere in Indochinese countries, the provincial French design was modified to suit the hot and humid tropical climate. The design of colonial villas, in turn, began to influence subtle changes in the design of Lao urban dwellings. This paper discusses the development of traditional Lao architectural styles that have been experienced in Lao PDR, analyzes the process of change, emphasizes the importance of compatibility between traditional house form and the French colonial house, and studies the factors influencing the transformations of traditional housing.

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This paper describes design of tracked vehicle which can adapt rough terrain using passive link mechanism. The vehicle has two track modules at both sides which have four-bar link mechanism with passive spring elements. The passive spring elements of the link mechanism provide the restoring force which helps the vehicle to be changed to stable configuration when overcoming uneven terrains. The two track modules are connected with rotary joint so that it provides adaptability to laterally located terrain roughness. Simulating under various conditions, we verify our design concept and determine critical design parameter. We manufactured prototype vehicle with determined design parameters from simulation results. The vehicle has size of 295mmx210mmx105mm, and weight of the vehicle is 1.31kg. The prototype equips two 2.17W DC motors as driving motors. We conducted experiments with manufactured prototype under various terrain conditions. The terrain conditions include steps, stairs, trench, and unstructured terrain. In experiments, this vehicle shows good overcoming ability for the tested terrain conditions.

Lao vernacular dwellings are a product of the integration between natural environments and the socio-cultural features of various ethnic groups. The integration of Lao vernacular dwellings with nature was appropriate and was based on the ancestor's knowledge of the best methods of achieving a comfortable life in a hot-humid climate within a rich natural environment. Lao vernacular dwellings addressed the needs of the inhabitants, as well as their beliefs, culture, and lifestyle while responding to the local environment. The population of Lao PDR is ethnically diverse and inhabited by 49 tribes which are classified into three different main ethnic groups: lowland Lao (Lao lum), upland Lao (Lao theung), and highland Lao (Lao sung), (Figure 1.). Lowland Lao (Lao lum) is divided into 8 tribes:

The purpose of this study is to find out the new architectural characteristics of the settlements and dwellings of Bronze Age in Korea, based on the excavational reports in Ulsan area. Analyzing 12 cases of settlement and 109 cases of dwelling remains, I found out the new architectural characteristics as followings: 1. diversity of site selecting like hill side, seashore, and plains. 2. planning techniques of settlement like the moat, public space and building, and tomb territory. 3. development of vertical wall and division of interior space. 1. development of drainage and heating facilities. These characteristics mean the phase shifting to ground dwellings of Metal Ages from the pit house of Neolithic Ages. This author wishes to acknowledge the financial support of the University of Ulsan made in the program year of 1999.