Digital Vernacular: Computational Rediscovery of Timeless Building Traditions
(2025) ASEM01 20251Department of Architecture and Built Environment
- Abstract
- Due to the climate crisis we are facing, we can no longer consider current construction methods, which contribute to 40% of global CO₂ emissions, as an alternative to building. Vernacular architecture, in comparison, offers a sustainable alternative. People have experimented with this approach to designing, constructing, and living throughout time. This system essentially stands for maximizing efficiency by achieving more with fewer resources. This thesis explores how technology can rediscover vernacular principles to address unsustainable construction practices.
The contents include a review of modern methods, an examination of what makes them unsustainable, and a comparison to traditional techniques such as the Nubian vault, the... (More) - Due to the climate crisis we are facing, we can no longer consider current construction methods, which contribute to 40% of global CO₂ emissions, as an alternative to building. Vernacular architecture, in comparison, offers a sustainable alternative. People have experimented with this approach to designing, constructing, and living throughout time. This system essentially stands for maximizing efficiency by achieving more with fewer resources. This thesis explores how technology can rediscover vernacular principles to address unsustainable construction practices.
The contents include a review of modern methods, an examination of what makes them unsustainable, and a comparison to traditional techniques such as the Nubian vault, the Musgum huts, and the Catalan vault. Emphasizing the way these methods use simple materials to achieve sustainable living spaces. Furthermore, case studies, such as the Armadillo Vault, EcoCocon, and the lunar habitat proje§cts, demonstrate how to digitize vernacular principles through computational workflows to optimize them for modern use.
In response to the ongoing resurgence of urban farms, the proposal reintroduces the root cellar back into our dwellings. Fundamental to the structure of the cellar is a parametric Catalan vault, which was created using Rhino and Grasshopper. The system digitizes structural optimization and facilitates fabrication while compiling centuries of knowledge and skills into a workflow that can scale and adapt to any site. Features like the interlock system simplify the complex craft of Catalan vaulting, backfilling techniques remove the need for formwork, and sinusoidal-shaped columns add rigidity to the structure.
The digital vernacular solution makes sustainable construction more accessible, offering a low-carbon alternative. It defies the negative stigma by demonstrating that traditional methods can still work well today by incorporating technology. This thesis justifies that hybrid systems are crucial for reducing the environmental impact of buildings and advocates for an architecture that promotes collaboration between sustainability and technology. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9200445
- author
- Velando Garcia, Cesar Andres LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- ASEM01 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Vernacular Architecture, Sustainable Construction, Computational Design, Digital Fabrication, Parametric Modeling, Geometry Optimization, Root Cellars.
- language
- English
- id
- 9200445
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-17 13:53:33
- date last changed
- 2025-06-17 13:53:33
@misc{9200445,
abstract = {{Due to the climate crisis we are facing, we can no longer consider current construction methods, which contribute to 40% of global CO₂ emissions, as an alternative to building. Vernacular architecture, in comparison, offers a sustainable alternative. People have experimented with this approach to designing, constructing, and living throughout time. This system essentially stands for maximizing efficiency by achieving more with fewer resources. This thesis explores how technology can rediscover vernacular principles to address unsustainable construction practices.
The contents include a review of modern methods, an examination of what makes them unsustainable, and a comparison to traditional techniques such as the Nubian vault, the Musgum huts, and the Catalan vault. Emphasizing the way these methods use simple materials to achieve sustainable living spaces. Furthermore, case studies, such as the Armadillo Vault, EcoCocon, and the lunar habitat proje§cts, demonstrate how to digitize vernacular principles through computational workflows to optimize them for modern use.
In response to the ongoing resurgence of urban farms, the proposal reintroduces the root cellar back into our dwellings. Fundamental to the structure of the cellar is a parametric Catalan vault, which was created using Rhino and Grasshopper. The system digitizes structural optimization and facilitates fabrication while compiling centuries of knowledge and skills into a workflow that can scale and adapt to any site. Features like the interlock system simplify the complex craft of Catalan vaulting, backfilling techniques remove the need for formwork, and sinusoidal-shaped columns add rigidity to the structure.
The digital vernacular solution makes sustainable construction more accessible, offering a low-carbon alternative. It defies the negative stigma by demonstrating that traditional methods can still work well today by incorporating technology. This thesis justifies that hybrid systems are crucial for reducing the environmental impact of buildings and advocates for an architecture that promotes collaboration between sustainability and technology.}},
author = {{Velando Garcia, Cesar Andres}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Digital Vernacular: Computational Rediscovery of Timeless Building Traditions}},
year = {{2025}},
}