VERSUS HERITAGE FOR TOMORROW Vernacular Knowledge for Sustainable Architecture
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Fig. 5 Below-ground dwellings in Matmata, Tunisia (photo: A. Zwegers, CC BY 4.0).
pact (Fernandes et al., 2014). The vernacular habitat is integrated into the environment and does not harm other elements of the ecosystem. Usually, terrain features (morphology) define building characteristics in accordance with the genius loci of the site (Sánchez-Montañés Macías B., 2007) (fig. 4). Examples are the below-ground dwellings, such as Matmata (Tunisia) and Tajuña valley (Spain). These provide protection and shelter to people through the soil which behaves at the same time as site and building envelope (Oliver, 1999; Sánchez-Montañés Macías B., 2007) (fig. 5). 2. To Be Appropriately Situated As stated above, climate and terrain qualities are the starting point from which to conceive architecture. Due to a lack of energy resources and current plant systems, vernacular communities have assured the liveability and comfort of their homes by taking advantage of the site’s bioclimatic features (solar radiation, ventilation, orientation, building type, etc.). Diverse global climate conditions have caused numerous solutions whose strengths ‘lie in the flexibility and adaptability’ of building elements to the seasonal or daily variability of climat-
ic factors (Coch, 1998). In a temperate climate such as the Mediterranean, for example, buildings might be equipped with devices useful for absorbing sun-rays during winter or to provide shelter against them during summer (courtyard, porches, shutters, deciduous vegetation, ‘dual housing’, etc.) (fig. 6). Device type and position depend on building location (valley, slope, coastal or marine location, etc.) and orientation (Oliver, 1999). 3. To Reduce Pollution and Waste Materials The vernacular habitat optimizes resources in order to avoid pollution and other environmental impacts. In the vernacular tradition: “the materials used were obtained from the geographical area where the buildings were erected” (Fernandes et al., 2014). Materials had artisanal production; they were extracted, slightly processed and used directly on site (or a short distance away), reducing the energy and environmental costs linked to transport. According to Oliver, the vernacular building techniques ‘usually enable the use and re-use of renewable resources’ (Oliver, 1999) by recycling waste and converting these into new resources. On the basis of the research by Fernandes et al.: “Generally, the most rel-