Vernacular architecture
An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about vernacular architecture
News • News • 17 Apr 2024
Hudson Valley Residence by HGX Design draws inspiration from local agricultural vernacular
New York City-based creative studio HGX Design has completed the Hudson Valley Residence, a modern, elongated glass- and wood-paneled home built on a ridge overlooking the Catskill Mountains in New York State. Surrounded by rural farmland, the home’s design draws inspiration from local agricultural vernacular such as farm buildings.
Scott Frances
HGX Design
The residence sits at the highest point of a 35-acre (14-hectare) property — running north to south, it enjoys views of the Catskills to the west. The home is accessed via a lane that winds its way up a hillside to the front entry court, where expansive glass paneling draws the eye into the interior. “In contrast to the vertical ascent and the massive... More
Project • By Housescape Design Lab • Private Houses
Mr.New's Cabin
The first conversation when starting to build this house was “How to make a building seamlessly connect with the surrounding context that is much bigger than itself?” The location of this house is amidst nature in Mae Rim District. and travels only 20 kilometers from Chiang Mai city. There are both lakes and hills surrounding this location.
Jeng Pheera
Jeng Pheera
Jeng Pheera
Jeng Pheera
Jeng Pheera
The orientation of the building is designed so that half of the daily activities are connected to the shore overlooking the lake, both in terms of practical use. And in terms of the perception experience, both the sight and the smell of the steam and humidity that can be felt in homes near water sources.... More
News • News • 23 Feb 2024
Bučina Cottage is inspired by traditional construction of timber houses in Czech Republic
Designed by Prague-based architectural studio ADR, Bučina Cottage is a contemporary residence for the manager of Malá Úpa ski resort in the Czech Republic. The building’s cross shape draws on a regional vernacular, inspired by the traditional construction of timber houses in the Krkonoše National Park area. It also takes advantage of the surrounding views, looking towards snowy mountain peaks.
BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice
The project brief described a building that is both compact and functional. The home is a lightweight, single-story prefabricated wooden structure with a residential attic space. It sits on a concrete foundation base on a two-step strip foundation — the upper step is made fr... More
News • Archello Awards • 22 Dec 2023
Casa Ederlezi winner of public vote for House of the Year (Urban)
Located in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Mexico, Casa Ederlezi has been selected by public vote as Archello Awards 2023 House of the Year (Urban). The design by Practica Arquitectura works with the limited dimensions of its plot and project brief to carve out a series of tranquil and personal architectural experiences, with ample green space and 360-degree views from the expansive terrace at the top of the house.
Apertura Arquitectónica
The architects explain that in general, their projects start by thinking about voids, the spaces outside the program where the essence of the space can be found. In this case, despite the site having limited dimensions of 5 meters by 20 meters, they were able to create a series o... More
Project • By Arsomslip Community and Environmental Architect • Private Houses
Baan huen Dhamma
Kanate Chainapong
Two of the house owners, Khun Aung (Thai), Age 50 years old and Khun Usaburu (Japanese), Age 60 years old, both have worked together with local villagers on Thai traditional fabric. Both are interested in the vernacular household, love to live surrounded by nature, and keen on Buddhist Dhamma practice.After having worked with the villager for a long period of timetogether with becoming older, they have decided to build a house, which is aimed to become the last house of their life.
“to become their last house, having brought them into a peaceful death.”
Kanate Chainapong
Kanate Chainapong
--- Navigation dialogue/ Master’s words ---In Buddhism, one phase is told that the last mental soul i... More
Project • By GARQUITEG • Apartments
Punta Mayia
Located in Zicatela, Oaxaca, on the southwest coast of Mexico, within the conurbation of Puerto Escondido, this building stood in a place of high tourist demand and was ideal for recreation. With a population of 45,000 inhabitants, this city stood out for its recreational and surfing beaches, its gastronomy, its orography, its vernacular architecture, and its bohemian charm. These characteristics positioned this city as one of the fastest-growing and most attractive vacation destinations in the country and internationally.
Alex Kortkov
Situated in one of the areas with the highest tourist potential, just within a 10-minute walking distance from the beach, the project was designed through a rigorous market analysis to respond to the hi... More
News • News • 13 Sep 2023
Passage House is an exploration of Irish vernacular building materials in contemporary form
Passage House is a collaboration between Dublin-based architectural practice O’Donnell + Tuomey and Cork-based design studio and workshop Joseph Walsh Studio. An experimental structure, Passage House is the first pavilion in a series called “Rambling Houses”. The project, born from conversations between O’Donnell + Tuomey and Joseph Walsh Studio, explores the design of experimental, contemporary structures made using Irish vernacular building materials, including stone, timber, and thatch.
Stephen Tierney
O’Donnell + Tuomey and Joseph Walsh Studio have collaborated previously on the development of several smaller projects (the Falling Dansu desk and The Vessel). The “Rambling Houses” proje... More
News • Specification • 8 Aug 2023
10+1 dwellings that exude Mediterranean style
August is that month when life settles down before work and school begin again in September - at least in the northern hemisphere. For many people, especially those seeking a sunnier climate, the Mediterranean is an ideal destination. A place with a magical allure, "Mediterranean" is in many ways a synonym for slow living - the region's influence permeates architecture, design, lifestyle and culture. Twenty-one countries on three continents (Africa, Asia and Europe) border the Mediterranean. While each country has its own unique way of life, they share common characteristics that embody the spirit of the Mediterranean.
Modern Mediterranean-style architecture often combines contemporary building design with a nod to traditional Mediterranea... More
News • News • 7 Aug 2023
Viglostasi residence embraces Greek island vernacular
On a rocky outcrop overlooking the Aegean Sea, a family dwelling blends in harmony with the surrounding landscape. Designed by Athens-based architecture studio Block722, Viglostasi is a residence that appears almost like a traditional Greek settlement, a home with a storied past. On closer inspection, the villa reveals its contemporary make-up, its structure meticulously crafted to draw upon the typology of small Aegean villages — a cluster of low volumes, these picturesque villages typically sit on hillsides, overlooking the sea.
George Pappas
George Pappas
The Viglostasi residence is located on Syros island, capital of the Cyclades in Greece. It was commissioned by a family who were inspired by Block722’s pr... More
News • News • 10 Jul 2023
The Swiss House is a novel reinterpretation of traditional Swiss architecture
The Swiss House is a new building project by Polish architectural practice BXB studio Bogusław Barnaś. A contemporary reading of vernacular architecture, design for the Swiss House was informed by centuries-old traditions, geography, climate, and context. Its plan reinterprets a regional building style known as the Gotthard House. Located in Unterschächen, Switzerland, this intriguing construction sits in harmony with the alpine landscape.
BXB studio Bogusław Barnaś
BXB studio Bogusław Barnaś
The 1,050-square-meter (11,302-square-feet) Swiss House is a multifunctional building, with commercial space, apartments, co-working facilities, and tourism-related activities. Its design incorporates a covered bus stop, mountai... More
News • Detail • 22 Jun 2023
Detail: Seosaeng House marries contemporary architecture with traditional Korean vernacular
Set on a hilltop in the Ulju-gun region of South Korea’s eastern peninsula, Seosaeng House is a multi-generational family home whose contemporary architecture marries elements of traditional Korean vernacular. Designed by London-based Studio Weave, Seosaeng House enjoys panoramic views across the East Sea. The abode’s pink-tinted concrete facade glows in the first rays of the rising sun: Seosaeng, translated literally, means “the brightening East” or “new life”.
Kyung Roh
In a conversation with architect Je Ahn, the founding director of Studio Weave, he tells the story of the design and construction of this family home.
A family affair
“Seosaeng House was built for my family,&rdq... More
News • News • 26 May 2023
Haus Hoinka demonstrates the potential of straw bale construction
Haus Hoinka by Stuttgart-based Atelier Kaiser Shen is described as “a straw bale house in the village center.” Located in Pfaffenhofen, a small historic village close to the city of Heilbronn in south-western Germany, Haus Hoinka’s design is typical of the regional vernacular.
Brigida González
Haus Hoinka was crafted using natural and renewable raw materials; in effect, the structure's individual components can be recycled and reintroduced into nature. “Everything was based on the idea of using bales of straw combined with clay plaster as a thermal envelope,” explains Atelier Kaiser Shen. “The goal for Haus Hoinka was to realize all six facades — including the roof and the floo... More
News • News • 4 Apr 2022
Thaden School by Eskew+Dumez+Ripple presents an innovative model for future education that focuses on the surrounding landscape
In Bentonville, Arkansas, the Thaden School aims to establish an innovative concept for future education, while reflecting the rich, pastoral heritage of the landscape that surrounds it. The concepts and ideas driving this project were developed by more than 30 participants and stakeholders who came together with Eskew+Dumez+Ripple architects to develop a masterplan vision.
Dero Sanford
Central to the school is the concept of hands-on learning, with lessons that engage students with the surrounding pastoral environment and its rich ecosystem. By interweaving the school with the landscape, students can see science come to life while exploring the on-campus gardens and greenhouses.
Dero Sanford
Rather than creating a s... More
News • News • 27 Jan 2022
Graux & Baeyens responds dynamically to Belgian farmhouse vernacular
Forming the core of a new living/exterior room, the thoughtful introduction of covered outdoor space for an existing house in Roosdaal, Belgium offers a sense of openness to the garden and an added value to the current volumes on the plot.
© Dennis De Smet
Taking on a triangular form in response to the building volumes that surround, the new terrace refers to typical outhouse buildings and bicycle sheds common in the surrounding rural area. Alongside this, materials commonly used in the region such as concrete stone, rafters, and glass roof tile reinforce a sense of the vernacular.
© Dennis De Smet
An existing extension on the property, renovated by the previous owners, was given a new glass façade t... More
News • News • 21 Jan 2022
New Alcalá church by Beautell Arquitectos takes a new approach to the traditional architecture of the Canary Islands
Since the 2011 demolition of the old Alcalá Church for security reasons, locals of the Canary Island neighbourhood have sought out the reconstruction of the lost temple which was under the invocation of the Virgin of Candelaria. In recent years, the Parish of Candelaria, the Bishopric of Tenerife, the Government of the Canary Islands and the City Council of Guía de Isora, joined forces to realize a new temple for Alcalá.
Flavio Dorta
Designed by Beautell Arquitectos, the new church has a total built area of 1,1000 m2 over two levels. The semi-basement floor includes parish rooms for multiple uses, garage, warehouse, facilities rooms and toilets. Above these rooms, with access from the square, is the Church a... More