February 6, 2024

Lara Villard

11th Grade

Lakeland Senior High School

When building the future, we must first look into the past. Although seemingly counterintuitive, history holds many of the answers to the problems we face today. In the increasingly globalized society we live in, many architects have designed buildings, while groundbreaking and impressive, that lack regard towards the region they inhabit. Vernacular architecture challenges the notion that a building stands separate from its surroundings. Although there is no clear definition, vernacular architecture is buildings constructed with local contexts in mind. That means taking a look into regional materials, cultural influences, and the needs of the community. 

Vernacular architecture is a fairly new term to describe building traditions that have been around for centuries. The concept is recent, simply because for most of history, nearly all buildings were vernacular. There used to be no architect or designer in the process of building a home. Buildings were constructed out of need, using only the resources in the surrounding area, by local craftsmen. 

Yet, as the world became more and more interconnected, and with the emergence of architecture as a profession, the built environment took on a more modern quality, one that we see today. However, newer constructions often lack the human connection that buildings of the past contain. Vernacular architecture focuses on regional traditions, and methods of building that have been around throughout generations. They are normally ethnic and are essential to the identity of a place. Think bungalows, igloos, and chalets. Each of these houses can be 

attributed to certain areas of the world. What type of buildings are present in each region builds upon the lifestyle and culture of each community, while it shapes our understanding of it as outsiders.

Local materials and sensitivity to regional geography and climate are essential to vernacular architecture. Its consideration of nature and the surroundings is very important for sustainability today. Methods that use the environment to its advantage, including orienting homes to capture light, or collecting rainwater, are simple but can help to decrease a carbon footprint. Design is used to mitigate the extremes of an environment, rather than using technologies that, in the grand scheme of things, aggregate the effects of climate change. While clever design is extremely important, the focus is not on the beauty of a building, but rather its utility and affordability. And unlike many planned communities today, villages emerge naturally and evolve as the rest of society progresses. Common materials that might be used could be timber, mud, clay, or bamboo. Which materials are chosen depends on what is available nearby.

Both of these buildings are more than just the creation of an architect. It is the culmination of centuries of tradition passed down. The methods used are essential for sustainability and creating vibrant, cultural communities. The past is our future!