Measuring Vernacular Sustainability and the Intangible Heritage: the Case of Endemic Building Traditions
of Granaries in Central Mexico in the 21st Century Context
This paper studies features of vernacular architecture as a fundamental on achieving a more holistic architectonic
definition of environmental sustainability applying qualitative and quantitative research of current
cuezcomates-granaries traced back to pre-Columbian times- in central Mexico.
It follows Lewis H. Morgan,
Viollet le Duc and
Rapoport theory, applying ethnographic and anthropological studies about vernacular rural societies as expressions
with cultural responsiveness contrary to the frame of modernity and universality commonly assumed in the field
of architecture.
The research reveal that the rural and endemic vernacular expressions measured in terms
of carbon and
ecological footprints thru Life Cycle Analysis had lower environmental impacts than the suburban and urban
expressions.