Geographical and environmental conditions were two of the most important factors on the design and construction of traditional architecture. Traditional earthen architecture is found throughout the Iberian Peninsula in numerous constructive techniques and variants, most notably rammed-earth, adobe and half-timber. The varied morphology, climate, geology and culture of the Iberian Peninsula, together with its immediate surroundings, have a direct effect on the development and the properties of traditional architecture. Thus, the objective of this research is to establish the relationship between the geographical characteristics and the distribution of the earthen techniques. For that purpose, the authors of this text have carried out a thorough data collection throughout the whole of the Iberian Peninsula in order to identify the main characteristics of this architecture in each location and to produce maps featuring the locations for each technique. This mapping of numerous techniques has been compared with other thematic maps of the territory, establishing relationships between the different techniques and specific properties of a given area. These provide hypotheses on which factors encourage or hinder the use of earthen construction techniques. Moreover, the relationship of traditional architecture with geographical factors and its specific morphology on a given place has provided many design lessons for a sustainable architecture. Those lessons must be taken into account on rehabilitation works and new architecture.

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This study is part of the research project 'SOStierra. Restoration and rehabilitation of traditional earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. Guidelines and tools for a sustainable intervention' funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BIA2014-55924-R). Disclosure statementsThere are no conflicts of interest to disclose. Material weathering and structural damage in historic adobe constructions in Spain: preliminary results of a quantitative approach.This article presents the study of the main phenomena of material weathering and structural damage that affect traditional architecture built in adobe, analysing the damage found in 553 case studies, representative of different technical varieties of adobe construction in Spain. The analysis methodology proposed in this text made it possible to quantify and identify the risks of damage appearing, establishing its impact and identifying its main mechanisms and causes. At the same time, the behaviour of adobe construction systems was further studied, observing how specific modifications in technique can promote or hinder deterioration and establishing the probable causes of the different responses to these phenomena.

Ha sido director de sistemas de información y director de riesgos en empresas españolas del IBEX-35. Es miembro de Cionet y de asociaciones de riesgos (Agers y American Risk & Insurance Association) y de seguridad (ASIS International). Prepara su tesis doctoral en la citada universidad, aunando su experiencia en sistemas y en riesgos.

This text presents the results obtained from an experimental educational innovation project implementing new learning methodologies in three subjects from the School of Architecture of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). The main aim of this project is to bring earthen architecture closer to students in a more active and direct manner through practical construction experiences using earth. These activities were carried out as part of experimental work sessions during which different practical workshops were held. The experiments and active methodologies proposed allow students to closely observe earth and different earthen constructive techniques, while learning about alternative techniques and promoting the valorisation of these constructive systems. In order to obtain the desired objective feedback on the response, and the immediate and mediumterm development and impact of these activities among students, a survey was drawn up for students taking part (experimental group) as well as for students who were not (control group), and the data set obtained was analysed to establish whether this experience was positive for student learning. This direct feedback from students is crucial in the consolidation of the activity and to ascertain whether it answers the initial objectives set correctly or requires any adjustments, variations or changes.