An experience aimed at promoting vernacular building culture in Susudel (Ecuador)

Abstract

The richness of the historical landscape environments of the popular architecture which is often built with vernacular systems whose technology and knowledge are transmitted from generation to generation through practice, suffers a series of threats caused by the irruption of new architecture models and the use of industrialized materials. Also the social factors have built stigmata and contempt or undervaluation for traditional ways of solving the habitat or architecture of community interest such as communal houses, temples, etc. This has caused a loss of quality and personality in the environments in which rural and marginal urban communities live in ecuadorian territory. One of the factors clearly identified as driving this breakdown of the natural process of loss of wisdom and knowledge, has been the distancing of new generations from what their parents do or did. Many times falsely articulated to a denial of local culture itself and ostentation on the basis of architecture unrelated to the place. With these considerations as a backdrop, a workshop for adults and children was set up. The objective was to build intergenerational bridges and to foster an appreciation of vernacular architecture, jointly discovering the benefits and the nobility of this way of doing architecture, and articulating it with the patrimonial values of the place. This article analyzes an experience applied between the years 2018 and 2019, in the community of Susudel, in Ecuador.