Put it simple, architecture is nothing else but the shaping of the human habitat. It has been present since the start when the first people created their living spaces with the available resources at hand. After millennia, architecture has developed along with human nature and, today, our buildings are constructed with the most varied materials and the aid of innovative technology.

However, there are still some places where architecture has not changed at all. These constructions are characterized by their particular relationship with a specific culture and geographic position and, thus, represent authenticity.

As an architect, I can guide you into the curious and amazing secrets of this interesting topic.

WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT ARCHITECTS

Vernacular architecture is described as the most authentic kind of architecture. It represents a particular group and its particular location through the construction of habitat in the same way that has always been done.

This type of architecture is sustainable by definition, since it is the smart use of local resources what characterizes it. Moreover, the buildings are usually very efficient energetically and, since there is not additional consumption for material transportation, the entire process is environment-friendly.

Construction techniques are passed from generation to generation. These traditional practices have originated through try and error and have evolved in a natural way, changing very little in a long time but doing so with the support of empirical knowledge.

Due to its link to a particular culture, community and location, vernacular architecture is capable of transmitting a strong sense of identity. Both materials and techniques are specific to the place where it surges and have not been modified in time, blending with a certain group and representing it.

IMPORTANT EXAMPLES OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

There are several cases of architecture being built without architects all over the world. In this article, the focus will be on some of the examples still present in Italy today.

One of the better known cases of vernacular architecture that is still very relevant today is the trulli of the Apulia. These particular buildings are constructed with the local stones following a conical shape without any mortar. In consequence, there are easily brought down just by removing the top rock, answering to their historic purpose of disappearing quickly to avoid tax issues.

Alpine shelters on the north of Italy are mainly built with wood from the nearby forests. The rooftops are heavily inclined in order to avoid the weight of snow, which is typical of these places on the mountain, and the position on the slope is always in connection to the maximum amount of sunlight received, in order to benefit of the heat.

Another very famous example are the sassi of Matera, located in Basilicata. Here, houses have been excavated in the stone in order to shelter its inhabitants from the harsh weather by using the most convenient (and almost unique) material available: the rocks themselves. They perpetuate the ancient way of living in caves that dates from Prehistoric times.

APPLYING THE VERNACULAR TO OUR SPACES

It is not easy to bring vernacular architecture into our houses because it differs enormously from current construction. However, there is a key aspect of this architecture without architects than can be incorporated to our contemporary spaces: the identity.

Some materials, such as bricks, stone or wood, can be used in interior design to convey the ambiance of a certain identity without going through the complications of a renovation. This strategy can guarantee the character and overall appearance that represents a particular kind of architecture within the armor of traditional construction.

So, as you may have realized, architecture without architects is possible and it represents a part of human history that is still important today. However, there is an immense amount of empirical study that is necessary to improve the spaces until they reach perfection and that is why it is always advisable to get the assistance of a professional if your intention is to combine ancient and current customs.

The increasing use of vernacular architecture might be the key to solving some of the main disadvantages of traditional construction, which range from the lack of understanding of local resources to the divergence from sustainability.

I will be happy to help you bring a new identity to your home that connects with the primordial ways of vernacular architecture and profits from its many, many advantages. Call me, I am available for a free quotation anytime.

The Architect’s Advice