The importance of vernacular strategies for a climate responsive building design

Abstract

In the evolution of vernacular buildings, different strategies have been developed for their adaptation to the surrounding environment. The climate-responsive strategies implemented in vernacular architecture from different regions have the potential for being further developed and could be adapted in answer to contemporary needs. Therefore, based on the need of designing buildings adapted to a specific climate and territory, it is pertinent to study vernacular buildings in order to develop and integrate their design strategies in the up-to-date construction context, contributing to its sustainability. The aim of the paper is to address the correlation between Portuguese vernacular architecture and the different types of climate of the country, highlighting the advantages of a climate responsive building design. Based on several surveys on Portuguese popular architecture, this research work classified and identified the main bioclimatic strategies, mapping and relating them to their specific climate. The results of the study can be used to make a proposal for the retrofitting of vernacular constructions with bioclimatic strategies and to adapt these strategies to new buildings.