Vernacular Heritage and Earthen Architecture

Abstract

This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the author and publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials or the consequences of their use.

Passive strategies used in Southern Portugal vernacular rammed earth buildings and their influence in thermal performance

“…Earthen techniques are generally connoted with poverty and underdevelopment but, in the last decades, the interest for these techniques has increased due to the raising awareness on environmental issues [23,24]. Some studies have shown that the use of local materials, including earthen ones, can significantly reduce the environmental impacts of buildings [19,25,26]. Therefore, environmental issues can be the turning point in favour of earthen materials.…”

Life cycle analysis of environmental impacts of earthen materials in the Portuguese context: Rammed earth and compressed earth blocks

“…The building industry is one of the largest sectors of worlds' economy, and one of the largest consumers of energy and raw materials/natural resources (Berge, 2009;Morel et al, 2001). Most of this problem is because the majority of the industrialised building materials that are used today have considerable environmental impacts in their production stage (Cabeza et al, 2013;J Fernandes et al, 2013;Wadel et al, 2010).…”

“…The rising interest for vernacular materials and techniques on the scope of sustainable buildings comes from the following properties (i) close relation with local conditions, i.e., the materials are locally sourced; (ii) the techniques were developed in accordance to a specific climate; (iii) low requirements for transportation from the raw materials extraction to the manufacturing site; (iv) low embodied energy, due to the simpler manufacturing processes, and consequently reduced potential environmental impacts; (v) some materials are organic, biodegradable, renewable and can be framed into a "cradle-to-cradle" life-cycle approach (e.g. straw and reeds); and (vi) local manpower is used to produce them (J Fernandes et al, 2013). For example, the studies carried out by ), Zabalza Bribi an et al (2011) and Meli a et al (2014 have quantitatively compared several materials and concluded that vernacular and/or natural materials have considerable lower embodied energy and carbon dioxide emissions than conventional materials.…”

“…Nevertheless, in the last decades, earthen techniques have re-gained an increasing interest due to the awareness around environmental issues (Arrigoni et al, 2017;Dabaieh, 2015;Jaquin et al, 2008;Leitão et al, 2017). Some studies have shown that the use of earthen materials can significantly reduce the potential environmental impacts of buildings (J Fernandes et al, 2013;Hamard et al, 2016;Meli a et al, 2014;Sanz-Calcedo et al, 2012;Shukla et al, 2009;Venkatarama Reddy and Jagadish, 2003;Venkatarama Reddy, 2009;Venkatarama Reddy and Prasanna Kumar, 2010). From the review paper by Cabeza et al (2013), it can be highlighted that the materials with the best performance, at the level of embodied energy and CO 2 emissions, are timber and earthen materials.…”

“…However, studies for specific regional contexts are needed so that the accuracy of the results allows a transparent comparison between materials within that context. Moreover, beyond these advantages there are also health and socioeconomic benefits (Berge, 2009;Chandel et al, 2016;Fernandes et al, 2015;J Fernandes et al, 2013;Minke, 2006), since, among others, these materials have low toxicity and the capacity to regulate indoor relative humidity; the valorisation and use of vernacular earthen techniques leads to the need to educate and train skilled construction workers, contributing to preserve local heritage and maintain a cultural legacy; and the local production of materials is economically cheaper, creates jobs and fosters local economies.…”