La arquitectura vernácula: saberes del territorio y memoria construida

Abstract

Different social structures have explored, through architecture, ways to improve the quality of life of populations, based on the use of local materials and a close relationship between communities and their habitat. This article explores, from a qualitative and descriptive approach, the cultural, environmental, and symbolic value of vernacular architecture, understood as an expression of the ancestral knowledge and collective memory of various communities in Latin America (Colombia, Brazil, Chile). Through the analysis of cases of vernacular architecture, fundamental principles such as the use of local materials, bioclimatic adaptation to the environment, and thermal comfort without relying on invasive technologies are identified in a matrix. The results show that this form of traditional construction responds effectively to functional and climatic conditions, constituting a sustainable alternative to the construction processes that dominate the modern industry. The study allows for the integration of architecture, territory, and materiality, highlighting its potential as a model for environmentally sustainable development. In conclusion, the importance of preserving the concepts of vernacular architecture is proposed, whose value lies in its adaptation, sustainability, and contribution to constructive diversity, aspects that allow us to face the current challenges of contemporary design.