L’approche énergétique de l’architecture vernaculaire : genèse et développement

• Published in: Socio-anthropologie Vol. 42; no. 42; pp. 67 - 80
• Main Author: Gaillard, Clément
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; French
• Published: Éditions de la Sorbonne 21.12.2020
• Subjects: climate; energy; technique; thermic; vernacular architecture
• ISSN: 1276-8707; 1773-018X
• DOI: 10.4000/socio-anthropologie.7372

During the second half of the 20th century, there was a revival of interest in vernacular architecture: several architects, thermal engineers and researchers tried to defend the value of vernacular and traditional constructions based on thermal criteria and climatic considerations. We argue that it is the development of what is called the “bioclimatic approach” in architecture – which integrates energy inputs from the climate to explain technical and architectural choices – which has made it possible to renew the understanding of vernacular and traditional constructions. This approach, while developing a finer understanding of the thermal behavior of old buildings, has engaged many architects to reuse certain elements and technical choices of architecture from the past, in order to meet the imperatives stemming from the energy crisis.