Abstract:
The genius loci of vernacular architecture
allows one to understand the intimate
relationship which folk buildings establish
with the site by responding to local
environmental conditions. In its numberless
expressions, vernacular architecture is
strongly characterized by technical aspects,
related to the community's material culture
and socio-cultural evolution, and typological
aspects, which very diverse buildings share in
relation to spatial and functional organization
and dwelling patterns. It is widely agreed that,
to understand vernacular architecture, one
must not prescind from the understanding of
traditional construction techniques and
building materials, and analysis of typological
features. Typology, in fact, responds to the
environmental and climatic features of place,
economy, culture, local availability of
resources and construction techniques, which
have developed within local craftsmanship
(Kelbaugh, 1990).
The present need for preservation of
architectural heritage calls for reflection on
the dwelling opportunities that some
vernacular rural building types could still
provide. Once closely related to the agropastoral
life and economy, they may still be
able to provide high-quality life standards.
By focusing on a case study of a "courtyard
house" of Southern Sardinia, this paper
attempts to test whether, and with which
technological and typological adjustments,
this typology can meet contemporary
dwelling needs as well as current technical
and environmental requirements.
The paper presents ongoing research which
puts forward a hypothesis for the renovation
of "Casa Demurtas", in Escolca, and proposes
a methodology that considers construction
and typology as possible keys to the reading
of the building, in order to re-establish the
lost connection between architectural
making, materials manufacturing and building
techniques development. The final goal is to
assess the method's validity for its
prospective application to other local
contexts.
