ABSTRACT
The vernacular has always been associated with an economy of means—thrift, practicality, and a judicious use of the available resources. Beyond the economic benefits, the vernacular teaches us to live in harmony with climate, not try to overcome it by mechanical means. The aesthetics of the vernacular are found directly in an appreciation of the inherent beauty derived from the materials used, the details that resulted from their application and combination, as well as the visual pleasure resulting from the overall form. More advanced, modern, methods, and processes that tend to save time, energy, and money, such as prefabrication and modulation, are easily integrated into the vernacular construction processes, making them more efficient and cost-effective, without sacrificing its integrity. The vernacular teaches us to use those resources that are at hand, can be regenerated or are abundant, and require little refinement rather than search the globe for more exotic, limited, and potentially damaging ones.
