Memory of an ephemeral architecture

Abstract

In the present work it is intended to expose and characterize some of the traditional constructions made of wood that exist in the Luso territories mainly in the dwellings of inhabitants of Vieira de Leiria (Avieiros), a people who have migrated within the Portuguese territory and brought with them their rich cultural heritage. In the past, traditional buildings in Portugal were strongly characterized by primitive techniques using existing raw materials in the various regions throughout the territory, such as stone and adobe in the interior areas and the vegetal materials for the milder solutions along the cost. The last emerged by the combination of several factors, such as the unavailability of heavy and durable materials in the local, the need to raise buildings from floodings, the domain of the shipbuilding technology and the seasonal use. Understanding how the architecture was designed, planned, executed and enjoyed help us to understand its potential in solving the problems associated with the current and future technological, social and economic changes.