Green energy and environmental sustainability on Vernacular Architecture. The case of Ayllus of Atacama Desert and stilt houses of Chiloé

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to explore the development of vernacular techniques capable of facilitate a green and sustainable architecture today’s. An ayllu in San Pedro de Atacama and a stilt house in Chiloé are selected as a comparative case, since (1) both are part of the vernacular architecture of its respective place, (3) both cases belong to extreme regions of the country, with both geographical characteristics totally opposite, the ayllu in the extreme north with a desert climate and the stilt houses in the country’s south with low temperatures and maritime-rainy climate, (4) both cases are works of green and sustainable architecture, wooden on stilt houses and adobe on ayllu. The methodology is carried out through three points, contamination levels (1), materiality (2) and energetic design and climate adaptation (3). It is concluded that the development of particular vernacular architecture, can introduce new logics to develop green energy and being closer to environmental sustainability, as has occurred in the palafitos and in the ayllu.