Vernacular architecture Reflections: Challenges and Future

Interest in vernacular structures has grown steadily over the past two decades. Vernacular structures around the world are the amalgamation of accumulated cultural, social and religious beliefs as well as practices. The valuable heritage embodied in the vernacular structures has served as sources of inspiration for centuries not only for architects, but also for a diverse, multi-disciplinary community that includes a variety of social and natural scientists, including anthropologists, archaeologists, and ecologists. The ICOMOS scientific committee of vernacular architecture (CIAV) chose to write this book in order to share admiration for vernacular heritage types, solutions and craftsmanship. This book is meant to open doors for researchers to dig down and investigate the ‘wicked problems’ facing vernacular structures today. Given the diverse community of academics and practitioners represented within the CIAV committee, the book consists of 17 different articles from around the globe. Most of all, we hope this collection of papers will inspire more research on vernacular heritage.