The Influence of Geographical Factors in Traditional Earthen Architecture: The Case of the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

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.

Construction System and Environment Adaptation of Traditional Architecture in Moluccas Island

“…Stone piles are used as a building foundation because it has a good function in dampening vibrations and is easy to arrange according to contour condition. It confirms the study before [56] that environmental and Geographical characteristics are the most important factors in the design and construction of traditional architecture.…”

Pathologic and Risk Analysis of the Lojuela Castle (Granada-Spain): Methodology and Preventive Conservation for Medieval Earthen Fortifications

“…It can be highlighted a number of lines of research that have focused on the role that these structures have had in historical events [79] and those that have classified the different architectural typologies and their associated functions [80,81]. Those that define and provide knowledge of the technical, constructive and material characteristics must be underlined [82][83][84][85][86][87], allowing the establishment of the relationships between the different techniques and specific properties of each geographical area [88]. Those that have created a chronotypological classification, supported by archaeological methodology, are outstanding [89,90].…”

A Conceptual Framework for the Externalization of Ecological Wisdom: The Case of Traditional Korean Gardens

“…In Yang and Li (2016) [38], which studies one of Ian McHarg's most successful project of town development, The Woodlands, Texas as a case of actionable ecological wisdom and uses the following inventory maps for analyzing the landscape: Physiography (elevation and slope), geology, soils, hydrology, vegetation, wildlife, climate, and natural resources. In another research by Mileto et al, (2019) [14], four thematic maps were used: Morphology (altitude and relations with major rivers), climate (rainfall, mean temperature, climate, solar radiation), geology (lithology and seismicity), and society (population density). Likewise, this research collects the following environmental data from appropriate sources (see Table 3).…”

“…For instance, sites that have already been researched in relation to ecological wisdom are the abovementioned Dujiangyan irrigation system that provide "sustained real and permanent good" to the environment [7], the terraced fields of Honghe and Chongqing as a traditional ecological wisdom [12], and the Hongcun UNESCO World heritage site [8]. Additionally, sites that have been identified to be sustainable with climate and environmental solutions through analysis include the traditional Erzurum Houses of Turkey [13], and the earthen architectural heritage of the Iberian Peninsula [14]. These cultural heritages, or vernacular architectures, embrace ecological wisdom as they are all evidence-based, time-honored, and they are artifacts of an individual's or a collective knowledge that has gone through transformation and internalization over time.…”