What kind of resources should I look for to learn about how different types of "dwellings" were developed by cultures based on the environmental challenges they faced?

by ShiEric

An example would be Kombai tree houses, and the environmental factors that led to this design.

Is there a name for this subject? I'd like a relatively comprehensive reference to read over so that I can better understand what types of dwellings should exist in different types of environments. I'm really interested in studying up on this, googling every combination of "ancient architecture why environment" hasn't yielded any relevant results. Any pointers in the right direction would be highly appreciated.

rconec94

It depends on which time period you are willing to read about.

If you want to read about prehistoric dwellings, you should try somo cultural ecologist authors. Sadly, while Prehistory is my field of expertise, I can't give you any advice on which books to read specifically about that matter- I have always found it kind of self evident, and have never sought for that topic on its own rather than related to those I'm interested in, in specific territories. The problem is that there is a huge variety of adaptations throughout little distance: palaphits in Catalonia or Valencia in the Neolithic; huge well/storage structures/forts in the middle of dessecated rivers in Bronze Age la Mancha (the field I'm most interested in, but not because of those dwellings, sadly)...

Anyway, if you are interested in reading about the XVI to XIX century, mostly Western but also Eastern Europe, there is this great book, "Europe at Home", by Raffaella Sarti, which has lots of information about everyday life, and, of course, about dwellings adapted to an environment, material conditions and craftmanship of their owners. It is worth the time reading and you can learn information about gypsies, fishermen, artisans, bourgueois, nobles... and their dwellings, i.e., about the wide variety of adaptive solutions taken in the same place at the same time depending on many factors besides environmental challenges