Learning from built vernacular heritage

In the last three decades, scholars and professional architects have developed a keen interest in the architectural style commonly known as vernacular. The reason for this attention is twofold: on the one hand, this style of architecture has been considered as a guide to design sustainable buildings that work with the climate representing cultural, social and economic diversity; on the other hand traditional dwellings have been used as sources of inspiration: a basic lexicon for the development of new ideas for contemporary projects. In this working paper contributions of vernacular heritage to environmental, cultural and economic sustainability will be identified. Starting from the different definitions existing in the literature, the various aspects involved in this traditional language will be described in this working paper, identifying some of the reasons for its safeguarding.