Revitalizing traditional knowledge: The sustainability of the vernacular house in the northeast of Mendoza (Argentina)

ESTEVES, MATIAS

Edimburgo

Conferencia; Passive Low Energy Architecture; 2017

This research explains the relationship between sustainability, traditional knowledge and thermal comfort in vernacular housing in the non-irrigated drylands of northeastern in the province of Mendoza, Argentina. The analysis of rural vernacular housing is presented as an opportunity context to deepen in the traditional knowledge of the inhabitants regarding the bioclimatic strategies that unfold in order to reach comfort in territories characterized by limited availability of natural resources, with extreme climatic conditions and no infrastructure. The objective is the description and characterization of the bioclimatic strategies currently developed focused on the materialization and the operation of the house. According to the fieldwork and the interviews carried out it is observed the use of natural materials predominates, although industrialized materials are incorporated. Also, the use of the shadow is a key in the strategies to reach comfort. The results show that the strategies adopted by the inhabitants are the best way to acquire comfort with the resources they have available. This derives from empiricism and from the traditional knowledge they have inherited about materials, constructive forms and knowledge of the climate. For this reason, rural vernacular housing remains as a sustainable architecture.