Technically improved Taanka in the Indian Thar desert. (Image taken by Damien Antoni and Lydia Blasco Yubero)

Half-Burried Rain Water Harvesting Tank

Posted by submitter on 9 May, 2011.
Categories Architecture, Habitat, Resources, Vernacular

A taanka is a half-buried tank built for harvesting monsoon waters that is typicallly found in the Indian Thar Desert. The sloped area around the tank harvests water on a wide range. The water then goes through a sand trap, an edged channel, wh cialis online without prescription ich keeps sand and dust out of Read More …

The four water channels of this hydrogeneration in Oromis, Cambodia can be switched on and off individually according to the resident's electricity needs. (Image taken by Damien Antoni and Lydia Blasco Yubero)

Microhydropower for collective housing

Posted by submitter on 9 May, 2011.
Categories Architecture, Energy, Environment, Habitat, Resources, Strategy, Vernacular

The little touristic complex of Oromis (Cambodia) takes advantage of a twist of the river to produce its own power. A portion of the current is diverted by a micro-dam and canalized to a pool. From here, four channels -penstocks-bring water to buy essay for cheap four turbines. This special form of Microgeneration is very Read More …

Principle of a typical Paisa house.

Paisa House

Posted by WhatWow on 9 Feb, 2011.
Categories Building Technique, Climatization, Vernacular

Paisa houses are a traditional type of housing in some parts of Columbia. There are different kinds of Paisa houses, but all are constructed from bamboo, which provides excellent structural stability during earthquakes. Earthquakes occur frequently in some regions of Columbia and regularly destroy the simple concrete buildings which are common in the country. The Read More …

Traditional buildings from all over Switzerland were relocated to Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, close to Interlaken.(Image by Julian Schubert)

Open-air museum

Posted by WhatWow on 15 Dec, 2010.
Categories Strategy, Vernacular

Open-air museums are used as models of real-world conditions. They are frequently used as reproductions and concentrations of knowledge from specific regions or historical periods. They are reconstructions of actual conditions, and in this way th viagra order ey spread knowledge that might otherwise be lost. In reviving this knowledge it can be made current Read More …

This museum by Amateur Architects  in China is made from recycled bricks.

Ningbo Historic Museum

Posted by WhatWow on 15 Dec, 2010.
Categories Architecture, Building Technique, Vernacular

The Ningbo Historic Museum in Ningbo China by Amateur Architecture Studio is built entirely of wa pan. Essentially a whole-building approach to recycling, the Ningbo Historic Museum is made of reclaimed materials from old buildings. The appearan lowest price viagra ce of the building clearly reflects this genesis with the façade composed of an intricate Read More …

Grapevines are planted in the middle of funnel-shaped pits covered with 'Lapilli'. (Image taken from the website bonsai-info.net)

Dry Viniculture

Posted by WhatWow on 15 Dec, 2010.
Categories Environment, Principle, Resources, Vernacular

edToolbar() On the island of Lanzarote wine is grown independently from the availability of fresh water. So-called ‘Lapili’, a characteristic Vulcan stone that covered wide parts of the island about 300 years ago, plays a cent cialis for sale ral role in this agricultural system: Each grapevine is planted in a funnel-shaped pit that is Read More …

Most Iraqi swamplands, where mudhifs were traditionally built, today are endangered or dried out.

Mudhif

Posted by WhatWow on 14 Dec, 2010.
Categories Building Technique, Vernacular

A mudhif is a vernacular architecture form made entirely of reeds. It originates in the swamplands in the southern part of Iraq. The mudhif is a communal building, and is built collectively by members of the community. Typically used for religious and ceremonial purposes, the mudhif is usually paid for and maintained by a local Read More …

Proof of the durability of lime as mortar is the Pont du Gard in France.

Lime Mortar

Posted by WhatWow on 10 Dec, 2010.
Categories Building Technique, Material, Vernacular

Lime mortar is a type of mortar made from lime and an aggregate material mixed with water. Common until the introduction and subsequent popularity of  Portland cement, lime mortar is one of the oldest types of mortar: it can be traced back to the 4th century BC and was used in ancient Greece and Rome. Read More …

Section showing the igloo’s different climate zones.

Igloo

Posted by WhatWow on 10 Dec, 2010.
Categories Climatization, Principle, Vernacular

Igloos are  vernacular, often temporary Inuit buildings made of compressed snow that can be found in extremely cold climates. The igloo uses several tricks to achieve and maintain a comfortable indoor climate. Firstly, compressed snow is wind-proof and has insulating qualities that can maintain a temperature difference between inside and outside. Secondly, the interior of Read More …

Working principle of a Roman hypocaust heating system.

Hypocaust

Posted by WhatWow on 10 Dec, 2010.
Categories Climatization, Principle, Vernacular

A hypocaust is an ancient Roman heating system using  thermal-activated building components. In hypocaust heating systems, a flow of hot air was channeled through walls and floors with a high  thermal mass. The source of heat for the system was an oven, connected to a heating room situated under the floors of the occupied space Read More …