Vernacular Architecture

Brief

Over the last decades there has been a dramatic break between human intervention and natural environment: the Anthropocene is the first terrestrial era in which human activity has become so significant as to affect the balance of the ecosystem itself.

And yet humans have inhabited the Earth for millions of years, achieving well-being and quality of life without depending on energy-intensive machines or technologies that are hardly sustainable on a large scale.

There is a profound wisdom in the ancient construction techniques, a disarming efficiency in the vernacular traits of poor architecture: from Persian wind towers to Berber architecture, today several past architectural solutions seem more compelling and sustainable than many modern technologies.

To look forward sometimes one has to to step into the past, and this is why the course in Vernacular Architecture was established.

Vernacular Architecture is a holistic and revolutionary educational project integrating the ancient knowledge of vernacular architectural traditions with creative elements and contemporary techniques. By doing so, it creates inspirations that can affect contemporary architecture and, thus, contribute to write a future of prosperity and well-being. Starting from the example of the symbol of human survival in extreme contexts - Siwa Oasis -, students will be provided with several inspirations from a wide range of construction traditions. This will enable them to create a new approach to meet the increasing demand for refined yet low-impact architecture both socially and environmentally. The course will consist of 80 hours of frontal lessons, 32 hours of workshop and several lectures by prominent professionals.

At the end of the course, YACademy’s placement office will provide all students with an internship/collaboration proposal with one of the partner firms.