Environmental Features of Vernacular Architecture

The sustainable identity of vernacular dwellings is closely connected with the satisfaction of the actual needs of the inhabitants with simple means, the use of traditional local materials and available resources, the incorporation of many environmental features to their design as well as with their continually reuse and adaptation to the local conditions. Various passive design strategies (i.e. heating and cooling, natural ventilation) and features (such as semi-open spaces, courtyards, cross arrangement of openings, lightweight projecting volumes for ventilation and lighting) are often incorporated in vernacular dwellings.