ABSTRACT
Deprived from planning and numeric calculation, traditional architecture originated, developed and matured a wide range of solutions. These are mainly based on the spatial relation of elements and geometrical inherent properties, regarding the whole performance of the building as a unit and also considering its urban framework. Due to its geographical restriction, vernacular buildings can be, by their intrinsic nature, exponential examples of these approaches. Special cases, as for instance in the southeast region of Portugal, combine a local building culture based on structurally poor materials with a history of regular, but low-medium seismic activity. The selected case studies are suitable to provide interesting seismic resistant strategies, within the aforementioned approach.
