FFuturopauturopa For a new vision of landscape and territory A Council of Europe Magazine no 1 / 2008 – English

Landscape Territory Nature The rural vernacular habitat, Culture Heritage a heritage Human beings in our landscape Society Sustainable development Ethics Aesthetic Inhabitants Perception Inspiration Genius loci

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 1 25/03/08 15:46:52 n o 1 – 2008

Chief Editors Robert Palmer Director of Culture and Cultural and FFuturopauturopa Natural Heritage of the Council of Europe Daniel Thérond Deputy Director of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Council of Europe

Editorial Director of publication Maguelonne Dejeant-Pons Gabriella Battani-Dragoni ...... 3 Head of the Cultural Heritage, Landscape and Spatial Planning Presentation Division of the Council of Europe The vernacular rural heritage: from the past to the future With the cooperation of Alison Cardwell, Adminstrator, Franco Sangiorgi ...... 4 Cultural Heritage, Landscape and Spatial Planning Division Pascale Doré, Assistant, Cultural Rural Vernacular Heritage and Landscape in Europe Heritage, Landscape and Spatial Farms and landscape of the Netherlands: rural vernacular architecture Planning Division of the Low Countries Ellen Van Olst ...... 6 Concept and editing Barbara Howes The industrial architecture of the Llobregat valleys in Spain: a valuable Sarah Haase cultural landscape in the process of change Joan Ganyet i Solé ...... 8 Joseph Carew Vernacular architecture in “the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” Special Advisor Victoria Momeva-Altiparmakovska ...... 9 Stella Agostini, Institute of Agrarian Engineering, Rural vernacular heritage and people in France Brigitte Sabattini ...... 10 University of Milan, Italy

Small sacred architecture: an indispensable part of the landscape, Printer not only in Slovakia Pavlina Misikova ...... 12 Bietlot – Gilly (Belgium) The Norwegian rural landscape and its built heritage Even Gaukstad ....13 Articles may be freely reprinted provided that reference is made to the source Vernacular heritage in Romania Gheorghe Patrascu ...... 14 and a copy sent to the Editor. Rural vernacular architecture of the Maltese landscape Ernest Vella ...... 15 The copyright of all illustrations is reserved. New approches to historic farmsteads in the United Kingdom The opinions expressed in this publication Jeremy Lake ...... 16 are those of the authors Croatia: An example of the old village of Posavski Bregi Silvija Nikšic´ ....17 and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the Council of Europe. Viewpoints © Cover by Manus Curran ([email protected]), Saint Coleman Farm and landscape in Germany: re-use of rural buildings Abbey, Inishbofi n, Ireland Peter Epinatjeff ...... 18 Specifi c features of the vernacular habitat in Russian culture TThishis iissuessue hhasas seenseen printedprinted withwith tthehe fi nancialnancial ssupportupport ooff thethe MMinistryinistry Marina Kuleshova and Tamara Semenova ...... 20 ooff EducationEducation aandnd CCultureulture ooff HHungaryungary Agriculture, land and people’s identity in Italy Stella Agostini ...... 22 aandnd ooff tthehe FFederalederal OOffiffi cece fforor tthehe EEnvironmentnvironment ofof SwitzerlandSwitzerland European Island Farm Landscapes Network Transnational Cooperation Project Graham Drucker ...... 24

Elsewhere in the world Vernacular European infl uences in Argentina Jorge Tomasi ...... 25 Vernacular European infl uences in Brazil: the example of the Campinas Metropolitan Region Maria Elena Ferreira Machado ...... 26 An example of vernacular architecture in Peru: European architecture

of Lima in the 19th and 20th Centuries Fanny Montesinos Sandoval ....27 Marina Kuleshova Arquitectura Mestiza in the Spanish Colonial Philippines Vincent Pinpin .28

Other international bodies UNESCO – Rural vernacular architecture: an underrated and vulnerable heritage Marielle Richon ...... 29 Council of Europe – A comparative reading of the Granada and Florence Conventions: an alliance between architectural heritage and landscape Maguelonne Déjeant-Pons ...... 30

ICOMOS – A Charter for Vernacular Architecture Marc de Caraffe ...... 31 Vernacular habitat of Southern Russia

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 2 25/03/08 15:46:55 Editorial

The rural vernacular habitat, C a heritage in our landscape

All across Europe, the rural environment is treasured Linked to both of these causes for its beautiful diversity. Many Europeans cherish is perhaps the greatest threat: the opportunity to spend time in a more natural and society’s general under-valuing of traditional setting in a particular region. Indeed, the this form of heritage. It has long been rural world as a whole is a priceless part of our heritage, the “poor relation” of the heritage sector, Service photo du Conseil de l’Europe and the unique vernacular architecture of a region perhaps overlooked in favour of more splendid refl ects and supports that region’s own identity. Beyond monuments or areas of outstanding beauty. For their its aesthetic value, it provides a unique and irreplaceable part, local communities, while appreciative of their built record of certain aspects of intangible heritage: local heritage, may not recognise its full value because to them responses to the conditions of everyday life, such as it is so familiar. This is an area in which the Council techniques and skills, and ways of organising social life. of Europe’s European Landscape Convention leads the fi eld in terms of heritage protection: it underlines the importance of appreciating and protecting the value of In spite of its immense worth, rural vernacular heritage all types of landscape. is threatened on several fronts. Worldwide economic, cultural and architectural homogenisation of the agricultural sector is in large measure responsible for Indeed, the rural habitat is not a museum-piece. It is developments in the rural habitat. Rather than repair not fi xed or static, a curiosity to be wrapped in cotton buildings or remain faithful to local tradition when wool. In order to preserve this heritage, it must be fully building new ones, it is often more practical in the integrated into the modern life of the community in short-term to opt for modern, featureless buildings. Rural such a way as to retain local practices and ways of life. depopulation, itself in part a result of the homogenising Redundant buildings can be readapted and re-used, in industrialisation of agriculture, may leave buildings particular to exploit the economic potential which can disused and perhaps abandoned to people who do not see be derived from rural tourism. Vernacular architecture, or care about their inherent value. seldom involves isolated sites – it is therefore desirable to form networks of related sites which are then more able to mobilise support. This brings further benefi ts in that it provides opportunities to share expertise.

This issue of the Council of Europe’s magazine “Futuropa” brings together articles from experts from Europe and other parts of the world. It is through generating concern for this vital sector of heritage, and promoting co-operation from the international to the local level, that we can ensure that, rather than losing this vital link with our past, we will pass it on, intact and thriving, to future generations.

Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni Director General of Education, Culture and Heritage, Youth and Sport of the Council of Europe

Futuropa no 1 / 2008 3

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Giovanni Cascone The vernacular rural heritage: from the past to the future

Rural heritage includes architectural old farm buildings and dwellings of no As long as the traditional rural building and landscape features. These include use at all. In Italy, there are more than keeps its territorial identity, it belongs dwellings and production units, like sta- 5.5 million rural buildings and 1.5 mil- to the cultural heritage that is worthy of bles, piggeries, silos, barns, which have lion have been totally abandoned. safeguard. Obviously, the reconstruc- been shaped and developed over time tion of a historical scenario, incompat- until mechanisation, brought about by While in the past, the use of materi- ible with modern production, is out of industrial development, altered the als and labour was strictly local and the question, because the rich variety of relationship between people and their bound to tradition, nowadays, the use this traditional landscape, safeguarded land irreversibly and made the need of new technologies and building tech- in the past by the farmer’s constant for labour less necessary. Traditionally, niques has introduced elements and care, would demand such commitment rural settlements represent the best styles that are totally foreign to the synthesis of people’s ability to modify local environment. The new imposes the environment to their own advan- itself on the old and on the surround- tage with the least impact; the farming ing landscape and, while ignoring structure provides the elements that any reference to typologies, layout, characterise the landscape. building techniques, it has a strong visual impact on the landscape. As a The way buildings are shaped depends consequence the scenario becomes Giovanni Cascone on: the limits imposed by local monotonous and huge pre-cast storage resources; the productivity of the farm buildings stand out against historical and the buildings related to the crop farmsteads in ruin. New buildings are system. The lay-out depends on en - the result of international border-free vironmental and social factors, includ- architecture, introduced by industri- ing safety. alisation, which tends to ignore any local value. Recurring materials, shapes and vol- umes, always connected to local con- The traditional rural building, is the ditions, defi ne specifi c architectural cause and the effect of a certain land- types that become representative of scape. Farming and natural landscape the various places. are not to be confused: the one is the result of people’s work and the result As for the climate, the structure is of agricultural policies. In order to cut arranged so as to make the most of down on production costs, fi elds are local environmental conditions, eg reshaped drastically with consequent south facing walls are characterised by dramatic changes to the landscape that wide façades and arcades, while north becomes more and more simplifi ed. facing ones are thicker. Meadows and marshy meadows are In many cases, farm buildings were built eliminated and the increase in the more than 1,000 years ago, restored number of fi elds has made it necess- and adapted over the centuries, accord- ary to carry out huge soil movement. ing to the changing demands of farming Hedges and planting rows have been practices. This constitutes an anomaly destroyed and traditional rural build- when compared with other utility build- ings are what is left of this impover- ings whose life span coincides with the ished landscape. practice that has generated them. Recovery therefore concerns not only The international community has buildings but also countryside elements Farm building in Sicily, Etna in the background started taking an interest in rural heri- and links up with the idea of sustain- tage because of its state of decay. The able and compatible agriculture, which reasons are economic and social as is clearly against the current trends, and a lifestyle which is incompatible well as cultural. based on diseconomies. with current social trends.

The production system, once based on Rural heritage means buildings and Recovery and re-use of old buildings complex crop rotation, is now based landscape together, and its safeguard for modern use require careful evalu- on monoculture which leaves fi elds un- implies careful attention being paid to ation of: covered for more than seven months. By the changes needed to enhance the – the real re-use potential of the struc- opting for monoculture or a simplifi ed local character. This demands a com- tures within the new production con- two-year rotation, cow sheds and barns mon approach by farmers, policy mak- text. The solutions put forward need have become useless and have made ers etc. that is diffi cult to realise. to be the result of careful examin-

4 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

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ation of the farm organisation, of the heritage of existing rural buildings ship and the proper restoration of the produce and of its destiny; and promoting recovery by offering building; – the management of properties, which proper financial support and/or tax – provide guidelines to reduce to a mini- would ensure acceptable mainten- relief. mum the impact of supply systems ance standards after the recovery. on traditional buildings; It is therefore necessary to: – decide what the necessary interven- Upkeep depends on how much the – carry out a detailed analysis of the tions are in order to enhance the building is used: a series of functions, state of rural buildings within the same value of the landscape and upgrade compatible with the farm organisation, area, so as to make it possible to devise it; should be pinpointed so as to make coherent restoration guidelines; – set up, for each geographical area, an inventory of the necessary and avail- able traditional building materials and explain how to use them; – promote training courses for work- ers and make them more aware of the issue; – make workers and public opinion

Franco Sangiorgi aware of the wealth and peculiarity of this heritage and of its importance in the defi nition of our cultural ident- ity; – introduce the notion of recovery of traditional rural buildings, and the micro landscape, into the syllabus of undergraduates and upper secondary education students.

Undoubtedly, rural buildings are a Old chapel belonging to a farm in the countryside direct testimony of human activity in a certain place and, if they are left to decay, part of our past will be lost for- ever. That is to say that the landscape, the environment, the land and the people are part of one and the same unit and that this heritage should be preserved not only as a memory of the

Franco Sangiorgi past but also as a resource for future development.

The problem of the decay of the rural heritage is common to all countries as is the evolution and the specialisation of agricultural production. The problem becomes more severe where land is not profi table enough. It is therefore necessary to answer this question: is the issue of recovery simply a matter Ruins of an ancient “cascina”, near Lodi of the recovery of volumes or is it also linked to agricultural practices that pro- vide the building with a context (and the recovery viable. A priority list for – discover the criteria that led to the the landscape)? recovery should be defined, starting choice of these sites where the build- from the most simple (machinery and ings were constructed; Franco Sangiorgi Professor at the Institute equipment storage) to more complex – list the existing buildings from a his- of Agrarian Engineering ones such as storage of farm produce, torical point of view, so as to defi ne Via Celoria 2 dwellings, farm holidays, B&B etc. what impact can be admitted in case 20133 Milan of restoration; Italy All the proposals put forward acknowl- – devise restoration methodologies tak- [email protected] edge the need to define land policy ing into account local customs and

aimed at enhancing the value of the usages, so as to promote the owner- Presentation

Futuropa no 1 / 2008 5

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Hall farm, Hardenberg, Ellen Van Olst Overijssel/ Farms and landscape of the Netherlands: Rural vernacular architecture of the Low Countries

Although the Netherlands is a small the coastline, market gardening (veg - is comparatively hilly. Here, on the fer- country, it contains a wide variety of etables, fruit and flowers – bulbs!) tile loess soils that were already farmed landscapes and soil types. Essentially, became the main agricultural activity. in Roman times, small castles and large it is a delta area, through which some A wide band running through the heart manorial farms dominate the land- of the largest northern European rivers of the country, along the great rivers, scape, specialising in large-scale wheat fi nd their way to the sea. Since it is also contains fertile river clay. Arable farm- production. in the most north-western part of the ing (wheat) was common here until European continent, it also contains the end of the 19th Century, when it The traditional farm architecture of the the tail ends of different landscapes was replaced by the cultivation of fruit Netherlands refl ects the big differences and soil types. As a result, some highly trees. in natural and agricultural conditions. specialised and basically different farm- By the beginning of the 20th Century, the ing economies developed in a relatively In sharp contrast with these prosper- country counted well over 30 different small area, which have led, in turn, to a ous and progressive farming areas, the farm types. Notwithstanding their strik- wealth of different farm types. eastern and southern parts of the coun- ing differences in external appearance, try largely consist of dry sandy regions. size, internal lay-out and structure, they The northern and western coastal areas Here, until the mid-19th Century, the poor still share some basic characteristics. are largely human-made and were soil conditions and the absence of roads The most important is the use of organic reclaimed from the sea, through the resulted in a farming economy which building materials, the aisled timber- construction of dikes and the drainage was largely self-supporting. Sheep farm- framed structures and the fact that they of polders. In these fertile marine clay ing and rye crops were long predomi- combine dwelling and farm functions areas, the availability of water transport, nant, as was the breeding of cattle that within the main building. as well as the proximity of prosperous were then fattened elsewhere. Marshy late-Medieval towns, provided a suitable areas along the central inland sea, now As the Netherlands contains hardly any climate for large-scale dairy farming dammed in and called the IJsselmeer, stone, the oldest traditional rural build- (butter and cheese). Here, a remark- were used for the production of hay and ings were all timber-framed. The roof ably modern farming economy devel- peat. Reed were harvested for thatch- was supported by a structure of heavy oped from the 16th Century onwards, ing. Farms in both areas were mostly wooden frames. Walls were made of with farmers providing not only for small to medium sized. wood, twigs and clay (wattle and daub), local and national but also for inter- roofs were covered with heather, rye national markets. Prosperous, well-sized Although most of the Netherlands is fl at straw or reed. From the late Middle Ages farms were common in these regions. (the western parts even lie below sea- onwards, when a thriving brick industry In a small sandy strip directly along level), the extreme south-east (Limburg) started to develop, bricks were increas- ingly used as building materials for walls and tiles for roofs. The introduction of brick in farm building started in the more prosperous northern and west- ern parts of the country. Here, clay for brick-making was available, as was the

Ellen Van Olst money to buy the fi nished products. In the poorer southern and eastern parts of the country, however, organic materials were used for agricultural buildings until well into the 19th Century.

Another major characteristic of tra- ditional Dutch farms is that practically all buildings are aisled. The main tim- ber structure stands inside the walls of the building, with the large roof slop- ing down on two or more sides to low exterior walls.

Finally, and perhaps even more charac- teristic, is the fact that living and work- ing quarters, animal quarters and storage space are all combined within the same building. Outhouses simply provide extra space for storage or cattle, but the main Typical farmstead or “Frisian” farm at Middenbeemster/ building always has more than one func- tion. Living and working quarters are

6 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 6 25/03/08 15:47:00 and Landscape in Europe Ellen Van Olst

Schematic representation of farms in the early divided by means of internal walls. In the availability of artifi cial fertilisers and 19th Century some regions, however, until well into the growing economic importance of the 19th Century and sometimes later, dairy production caused the unhygienic there was no partition wall between cesspits to be replaced by more modern frames. The tie-beams are supported by human and animal housing. ground level stalls with manure chan- the posts and are placed much higher nels. The position of the cattle, however, than in the southern farms. There is no Within the large variety of traditional remained unchanged: with their heads attic fl oor and the aisle, which is open, farm types of the Netherlands, some towards the central nave. is entirely fi lled with crops, while work- essentially different house groups can ing space and cow-stalls are situated be distinguished. Within each group, the In sharp contrast with the early develop- in the aisles. Another characteristic of different farm types share a number of ment of the south-east, the farms of the the northern building tradition is the basic characteristics or a similar histori- northern (“Frisian”) house group have position of the cattle and the lay-out cal development. The two main building remained relatively small, narrow build- of the stalls within the aisle. In these traditions are those of the north-west and ings. Crops were stored outside in the regions, cows used to be tethered in those of the south-east. Together, they open air or in separate barns and the pairs between wooden partitions, with used to cover most of the country. main building only contained dwelling, their heads towards the exterior wall. cow-shed and some working space. This Sunken stalls were not used in this part The south-eastern house group (gener- type of building was what is generally of the country. All stalls were at ground ally called “hall farm group”) was devel- known as a “Frisian longhouse”. level or slightly raised, with a manure oped during the late Middle Ages from channel running behind each row. It is a previous, smaller and more primitive For the northern regions, the second half generally believed that this more hygi- kind of building, which only contained of the 16th Century and the whole of the enic type of cow-stall was indigenous dwelling and cowshed. The resulting, 17th was a period of great prosperity and to the north-western provinces, where much widened hall farm combined, for economic expansion. A growing urban dairy farming was always one of the the fi rst time, living, working, storage market for agricultural products and main sources of income. and cattle space within one building. especially dairy products, led to exten- The oldest excavated plans of this new sive agricultural development and to Over the course of time, a large number type date back to the 14th Century. Its the large-scale drainage of polders. The of different farm types and regional typical timber-framed structure, which changed farming practices demanded variations have developed within these was probably developed during the new, more effi cient and above all, con- two main building traditions. Different 16th Century, consists of a series of so- siderably larger farm buildings. In the agricultural practices and specialisa- called anchor-beam frames. In this type same period, much longer timber than tion, cultural traditions, the availabil- of frame, the relatively low tie-beam the old inland types became available, ity of new building materials and local (the main horizontal beam, which sup- through the importation (mainly for differences in size and wealth of indi- ports the attic fl oor joists) is wedged and shipbuilding purposes) of pine from vidual farms had, by the end of the anchored between two vertical posts. the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. 19th Century, resulted in a large number This enabled the development of new of regional farm types. The rapid agri- The front part of the wide, rather square and much larger timber-framed build- cultural revolution of the 20th Century, building contains the dwelling for the ings, in which all basic farm functions with its mechanisation and extreme farmer and his family. The back (and could be combined. By the middle of specialisation, made these buildings main) part is for the different farm the 18th Century, practically all the old (except the largest) redundant. Most functions. In these aisled buildings, the longhouses of the northerly provinces traditional farms have now lost their fl oor of the nave remains open and is had been extended or replaced by large original function and have disappeared used for working purposes (threshing aisled farms. Their huge sloping barn or been converted to new use, with the corn and feeding cattle). The huge attic roofs have become one of the most inevitable loss of traditional features. above the threshing fl oor is for crop distinguishing features of the fl at and The number of traditional farms is dwin- storage. Both aisles contain room for comparatively treeless northern land- dling fast. In addition to the regrettable animals. The cattle were traditionally scape. These enormous farms have all loss of historical objects, this also rep- placed with their heads towards the major farm functions within one build- resents a threat to the Dutch landscape open nave from which they were fed. ing, with the dwelling extending from, as a whole, which risks losing one of its In order to provide as much manure as or incorporated within, the barn. In this most interesting and regionally defi ning possible for growing rye crops on the respect, they resemble those of the older features. poor sandy soils, cattle in these regions south-eastern house group, where the were kept in sunken stalls. In these pits, same tendency to multi-functionality Ellen L. van Olst almost one metre deep, large quantities had occurred several centuries earlier. Former Researcher and Director of the Dutch of organic materials were added to the However, the timber-framed structure National Institute for the Historical Research excrement and trampled by the cattle and internal lay-out of the new so-called of Rural Agricultural Architecture (SHBO) Schelmseweg 89 into a solid layer of manure, which was Frisian farms are entirely different. The 6816 SJ Arnhem only removed a few times a year. From main structural element of the northern The Netherlands th the end of the 19 Century onwards, farms consists of a number of tall timber [email protected] Rural Vernacular Heritage and Landscape in Europe

Futuropa no 1 / 2008 7

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Tower of the colònia Cal Pons The industrial architecture of the Llobregat valley in Spain: (Puig-reig), Spain Pere Vall and the Provincial Government of Catalonia a valuable cultural landscape in the process of change

The Llobregat valley, in the centre of kilometres wide, reaching as far as the tory of buildings and open spaces and northern Catalonia, became a primary plateaux on either side of the river, and the diagnosis and protective action for industrial axis in the second half of the with a total population of some 20,000, each unit. Secondly, urban improvement 19th Century, when “colonies” seemed all of them town-dwellers. plans, including a delimitation of each to spring up like mushrooms over a town’s residential growth. Thirdly, the period of a few years. These working- The fi rst objective of the blueprint is to defi nition of a “civic union” linking the class towns formed one of the most adapt the quality standard of the towns’ 18 towns so as to guarantee ef fi ciency dense and most interesting examples current housing stock and urban ser- and consistency. These measures will of the fi rst wave of industrialisation. vices to bring them up to the level of be accompanied by a strategic plan The towns were transformed into resi- those of municipalities. The second is intended to develop tourism and qual- dential centres as industry developed, to consolidate the towns’ role as part of ity production. especially in the 20th Century, and as an urban system with its own person- the tertiary sector emerged. Although ality. The third is to preserve the heri- The challenge to be taken up by the the link between most of them and their tage value of the valley by categorising Autonomous Government of Catalonia, original manufacturing basis has been it as a class 1 cultural landscape, on the the municipalities, property owners and lost, they remain of great historic and basis of both its industrial past and the residents is to make the Llobregat valley cultural value. particular interrelationship between an example of how the cultural heritage the river ecosystem and its use for gen- can be respected against the changing Aware of the value of the 18 industrial erating energy. Fourthly, the aim is to background of a river basin at the ser- towns in the river valley, the Autonomous safeguard the institutional consensus vice of human beings. Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de and public participation by setting up Catalunya), Spain’s most industrialised joint management arrangements for Joan Ganyet i Solé Director General region, which lies on the border with the main elements, such as canals and of architecture and landscape France and on the Mediterranean, has dams, fi shing and leisure areas, tourist Department of spatial planning policy approved a planning blueprint to pre- routes and buildings. and public works serve the heritage value of these towns Generalitat de Catalunya Avda Josep Tarradellas 2 and to boost socio-economic activity The implementing instruments for 08029 Barcelona, in the sector. The blueprint covers an which the blueprint provides are, fi rstly, Spain area of land 29 kilometres long and two heritage catalogues containing an inven- [email protected] Pere Vall and the Provincial Government of Catalonia

Tower and church of the colònia Viladomiu Vell, Gironella

8 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

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Victoria Momeva- Altiparmakovska House in the village Vernacular architecture in “the former of Brajcino Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”

vertical timber framing with brick and other filling between. The flooring is timber. Various overhangs, deep eaves, window openings aligned in a row, and timber elements as secondary details, have accentuated the external elevations. Another special feature of these buildings is their functional room layout. The interior details, including timber ceilings, either plain or orna- mentally decorated, various built-in features, doorways, timber stairways and railings, and the other timber el - Victoria Momeva- Altiparmakovska ements, create a picturesque interior.

The main reason for the disappearance of rural vernacular houses is their age House in the village of Brajcino (most of them dating from the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th) and the quality of the building “The former Yugoslav Republic of in the environment. For instance, this materials used. Another reason for the Macedonia” is a small country in the can be found in the architecture of a rapid disappearance of these buildings heart of the Balkans well known for its vernacular rural house, the interior is individual incompetent intervention, natural and cultural heritage, which make design of buildings, the application of where the owner does not accept pro- up the richness of the country. Heritage traditional building materials such as fessional advice and instructions. includes the natural world and the prod- wood, stone or bricks and so on. There ucts of human culture with its wide var- are also traditional building techniques The everyday dwelling needs of the iety of landscapes, towns, villages and that can best be seen in the construc- inhabitants are a major problem in all the rich details in them. It includes tion. the conservation of vernacular dwell- great monuments and many vernacular ings. As time passes, there have been buildings such as mills, dry-stone walls, Vernacular buildings represent an artis- various modifi cations to the buildings. graveyards, farms, barns etc. tic expression within anonymous folk The vernacular buildings should be buildings. There is a great number of protected and restored as individual Vernacular architecture is an important these buildings which still remain as buildings or complexes of buildings, as part of the cultural heritage of the coun- individual structures or as a part of the they are the essence of the historic and try. There is a signifi cant number of rural ambient, particularly in the vil- cultural identity of the region and an preserved and abandoned vernacular lages in the western and south-western addition to the wonderful natural scen- settlements. The unstoppable pace of parts of the country. They have not ery. What is more, the development of social change has infl uenced the pro- received adequate treatment, regard- alternative tourism can have an impact fi les of rural buildings, the villages as a ing scientifi c research or conservation. on the sustainable development of the type of settlement and even the nature The ethnological criterion employed in country. This can contribute to the of whole regions. There are numerous evalu ating the folk architecture treats preservation of vernacular rural set- traditional villages that make use of it as a document showing past and tlements and vernacular architecture. their ancient cultural heritage. They present living habits. However, the In addition, it is the only way for eco- consist of authentic, well-preserved aesthetic and art components have nomic revitalis ation and improvement buildings of vernacular rural archi- not been forgotten. The relatively plain of living conditions in rural regions. tecture, for both residential and occu- buildings, of little aesthetic and artis- pational purposes. The architectural tic values, have been of considerable Victoria Momeva-Altiparmakovska Ethnologist Conservator features of the traditional villages in importance on the list of protected Institute for the preservation of this region, especially those high up vernacular buildings, because they are the cultural heritage in the mountains, still have authentic, witnesses of the past. Moreover, they Museum and gallery well-preserved premises and ambiance. are important as a group of buildings Bitola In addition to these elements, there is showing the rural concept of the area. “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” [email protected] an intangible wealth expressed in the history of people, their folklore, lan- The listed rural vernacular buildings in guage, music, food, arts, crafts, skills 37 villages in the area of Pelister and and industries. Prespa, in the south-west of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” are The vernacular character of the villages typical of the variety of forms and rich

is refl ected in the way they are placed detail. Structurally, they have specifi c Rural Vernacular Heritage and Landscape in Europe

Futuropa no 1 / 2008 9

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 9 25/03/08 15:47:03 Rural Vernacular Heritage Magali Pons The rural vernacular heritage Wooden door and society in France

It is something of a paradox to refer to tuated by the great similarity between the countryside’s functions thus brings rural vernacular housing. This is because urban and rural lifestyles: the landscape with it a new kind of landscape, as a economic imperatives have resulted in thus has a decisive infl uence on spatial desire to preserve the forms inherited the disappearance of what was its main differentiation. It is the relatively low from the past goes hand-in-hand with feature, its role as an architectural role population density and the less artifi cial a wish to adopt an urban lifestyle so as model, described by Marie Pascale Mallé, nature of the land – and not the main to keep up to date. custodian of the Hautes-Alpes Inventory economic activi ty – that defi nes the rural Vernacular architecture does not always of Cultural Heritage, as having a repli- as opposed to the urban. It is interesting have its place in this new kind of land- cating function, “not through written to note that many people who live in peri- scape. Some older buildings have of transmission, but by imitation, through urban areas consider that they live in the course been renovated or restored, but, contagion by architectural models which country, and, since the early 70s, there when new residents arrive on the scene, spread across an area that can be very pre- has been a reversal in one demographic they often settle on housing estates cisely defined”1. Like the materials used, tendency, with a positive migratory bal- just outside existing urban areas, more styles have tended towards the uniform ance growing more rapidly since the suited to the means and housing aspir- in France, and the skills appropriate to latest census: between 1999 and 2004, ations of new and old residents. In Riez, traditional building, once passed on infor- over two million people left the cities and in the department of Alpes de Haute mally, have frequently been superseded settled in communities with a popula- Provence, the 2005 census showed by industrial-type techniques which have tion of under 2,000. Another 2.4 million that there were 37 more households and achieved success through their relatively are expected to follow suit by 2008. The 56 more homes than there had been in low cost. They are the only ones widely cost of urban land is only one of the rea- 1999. 33 principal residences had been taught to construction industry work- sons for this social trend, the main one completed since 1999, and 14.7% of ers. Where residential buildings are being that people are seeking a better the population recorded in 1999 had concerned, France’s cultural diversity and less stressful home environment, moved house between the two dates. now depends more on a conservation at lower cost and with less pollution, at The age of the housing stock within the policy for old buildings than on the main- the same time as they strive for greater historic centre and the lower cost of new tenance of local architectural traditions, fulfi lment in the personal, family and building as compared to renovation only and the situation is the same in rural and occupational sphere since cities are now partly explain a development also result- urban areas. associated with general dissatisfaction, ing from a desire to have a garden and This type of architecture, very much it is out in the fi elds that happiness now to benefi t from all modern amenities. locally based, has been even less able to lies. The new country-dwellers consider A similar tendency is found outside the offer resistance because the communi- their environment and the agricultural built-up area, with some farmers prefer- ties within which these skills existed character of the land, the backbone of ring to settle in a village. A good number have been transformed from the out- the French countryside for centuries, to of farmhouses are thus no longer used side, resulting in a complete change be just one aspect of the place where they for farming. Some are still occupied by in the human geography of France: live. They are themselves part of a pic- retired farmers, but others have been the distinction between urban and turesque landscape which they intend to converted into second homes or holi- rural communities no longer refl ects a preserve as they envisage it. As Bertrand day properties for rental, while others human occupation pattern often divided Hervieu and Jean Vivard said, farmers are unoccupied or have even been between different places of production must get out into the landscape in order abandoned. Residents and elected rep- and consumption, with increasing num- to preserve the farming culture3. This resentatives are more sensitive about bers of people no longer working within emigrant population superimposed on the future of the village than about that the communities where they live. The the existing, decreasingly homogeneous of isolated hamlets, so it is these outly- rural world is no longer defi ned in terms rural population also follows an urban ing examples of vernacular architecture of building density or the predominance societal logic which causes some inte- that are suffering the effects of recent of agricultural activity, but by its land- gration problems. 63% of the mayors socio-economic changes. Obsolescent scape. Thus France, the greater part of surveyed feared an excessive demand and out of line with European stand- which is still hallmarked by agricultural for amenities and services. ards, former utilitarian buildings are and forestry activities reaching right into The countryside thus seems to be a not easy to fi nd a new use for, while what are called peri-urban areas (55.4% source of tension and confl ict between there is a need for some modern build- of the surface area of which is suitable old and new country-dwellers because ings to be put up (barns for machinery, for agriculture; 35% of the farms in it is called on to serve three different cowsheds). mainland France), retains a rural aspect, kinds of purposes, generating com- Lauded as “an example of the archi- despite a high degree of urbanisation peting uses. It has an economic or tectural diversity and the range of (75.5% of the population of mainland productive function, a residential and infl uences which shaped it”, the rural France lives in urban areas, with 82% recreational role (an environment in vernacular heritage now offers “con- in what are defi ned as predominantly which people live, whether perma- tinuing evidence of our own architec- urban entities in France’s spatial zoning nently or temporarily), and a conserva- ture and of the efforts and skills of plans, known as ZAUs)2. From the socio- tion function (protection of biodiversity the craftsmen who created it”, but for logical viewpoint, the rural nature of the and of the natural, cultural and land- how much longer? A recent report by peri-urban areas is all the more accen- scape heritage). The diversifi cation of France’s Economic and Social Council4

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provides a basis for taking stock of the scattered or no longer exist. The “new but capable of drawing inspiration from situation of the buildings more specifi - countryside”, where the local now forms it when designing new buildings. cally linked to agricultural activities. It part of the global, is still emerging. The was estimated in 1966 that there were future of the rural vernacular heritage Brigitte Sabattini Centre Camille Jullian of Mediterranean and 11 million buildings used for agricultural depends on whether it can strike a new African Archaeology, University of Provence purposes, and the current estimate is balance between respect for the legacy Maison Méditerranéenne des Sciences de that six million of them remain. Half are of the past and adaptation. Out of habit l’homme thought to belong to farmers, and the or aspiration, the people who live in the Rue du château de l’horloge, 5 other half to be in private hands. One French countryside already share a com- Aix-en-Provence France and a half million of those still owned mon concept, that of a lifestyle based Francesca Oggionni by farmers are still being put to the on the changing of the seasons. As time [email protected] same use as in 1966, with most of the goes by, they still need to build up a 1 common perception of their spatial envi- Mallé, Marie-Pascale, 1983, L’inventaire de farmhouses lived in by the farmer. The l’architecture rurale dans les Hautes-Alpes, in Le other 1.5 million are no longer used for ronment. One of the main challenges monde alpin et rhodanien, No. 4, p. 10. the same purposes, standing empty or ahead, as a new kind of rural area takes 2 An INSEE report on the structure of the countryside which focused on population basins (bassins de vie, being left to go to ruin. A million and shape, and a greater challenge than the a planning term referring to areas within which a a half of those bought by people are coexistence of different social groups population lives, is employed and uses amenities) (La reported to have been converted into with sometimes confl icting interests, is structuration de l’espace rural : une approche par les bassins de vie), produced with the help of IFEN, INRA second homes, principal residences, the emergence of a wish for together- and SCEES for the Delegation for Spatial Planning business premises, etc, with the rest ness in a space with many dimensions, and Regional Activity (DATAR) in July 2003, sug- including its productive dimension. The gests using a limited reference framework of rural awaiting new use or conversion. population basins which had as their focal point a This is an overview ignoring the dispar- rural landscape will then, from being a community or urban centre with a population of ities that exist between different regions. mere patchwork of different pieces sewn under 30,000 in 1999, but adding to this the periph- eral areas around the other 171 rural population In peri-urban areas, which are in prac- together, be restored to its former state basins which have as their focal point an urban cen- tice the most affected by the new demo- as a fabric skilfully interwoven, a mosaic tre with a population of over 30,000. To the limited graphic dynamic, frequent re-use raises in which each individual piece is per- rural reference framework of 429,000 km² (79% of the country) was thus added the supplementary problems of cost and respect for older fectly placed in a harmonious whole. reference framework of 82,000 km² (94% of the buildings, and of the balance to be struck Only if this is achieved will the individual country), with a population of 25,765,000 (44% of elements which make up the built her- the 1999 total). between production-related needs and 3 Hervieu, Bertrand and Vivard, Jean, La campagne the new arrivals’ expectations of their itage fi nd their place and become ver- et l’archipel paysan, in Chevallier, Denis (ed.), Vives home environment. Elsewhere, the new nacular again, having been adopted by campagnes. Le patrimoine rural, projet de société, Editions Autrement, Paris, 2000, p. 76. situation forces land prices up, leaving a community not only concerned to pre- 4 Un atout pour le monde rural : la valorisation du bâti young farmers competing with foreign serve it for the present and the future, agricole, report by Michel de Beaumesnil, 2006. or French buyers seeking main or sec- ond homes. There is one component of French territory that is unaffected by the trend, namely the most remote areas of the countryside, where the worst

effects of the decline of farming and the Magali Pons ageing of the population are felt, with vernacular buildings neglected. Can the word “heritage” still be applied to assets which may not be handed down, for want of anyone prepared to take them on? While vernacular buildings “contribute, through features unique to each region, to France’s diverse range of architectural riches, and to its charm and attractiveness to tourists”, it nev- ertheless has to be said that this con- tribution by no means safeguards their durability. There are two major obstacles to their re-use, in addition to the ques- tion of whether they can be adapted. The fi rst is the cost of development, an economic and technical problem, while the second is of a cultural nature. The communities deeply rooted in their local areas which originally created France’s House in Lozère, France

rural vernacular buildings have either Rural Vernacular Heritage and Landscape in Europe

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Mala Lehota village Frantisek Petrovic Small sacred architecture: an indispensable part of the landscape, not only in Slovakia

age, we see him in many places in the countryside. His personality was an inspiration to the international sym- posium “Sanctus Ioannes Nepomucenna Medioeuropeansis”, (1999-2004) and the exhibition John of Nepomuk – the

Pavlina Misikova Saint of Central Europe. It shows draw- ings of contemporary Central European artists, based on historical legend.

As one of the exhibition curators, Aldemar Schiffkorn, said: “we cannot defi ne Central Europe strictly either by political or geographical border. We could do it mainly through history, culture and traditions. The Central European cultural Pavlina Misikova Wayside cross, Slovakia

The voice with a question “what con- played a signifi cant role in the religious tributes to regional identity” becomes life of a village and were erected as a heard more and more often in many word of thanks or a prayer for some- forums organised in Europe. The rea- thing. They remain to bring to us not son is, as distances become shorter and only appreciation of their esthetical customs less important, that we still beauty, but a challenge to name all of want to feel the uniqueness and a dif- the landscape values. What do peo- ferent spirit in each country. Landscape ple appreciate in the landscape? How is one of the main links to the answer can we bring into landscape planning we are seeking. issues such as landscape awareness, protection of the values like landscape A typical image of landscape in Slovakia image, or subjective perception and often appeared on postcards. It natu- connection of the local people? Public rally depends on our location in the participation is the key word from the Carpathians. Beside landscape diver- European Landscape Convention. It is sity, the image is greatly infl uenced the same challenge working with the by settlements (small sized towns and landscape quality objective. Leading to dispersed rural settlements, old castles the common historical roots, some of and their ruins) and land-use in the the monuments look similar to those forms of historical landscape structures, of neighbouring countries. A legend of mosaics of fi elds, meadows and forests. St. John of Nepomuk, now called the A rich history infl uenced by religion is Middle European, is an example. Born visible through thousands of shrines in the Czech lands around 1350, John sensitively located in urban areas but studied law and theology, and served also often in the open countryside. as the vicar general of the Prague According to their workmanship, they archdiocese. His reputed refusals to differ from region to region. Roadside divulge the secret of Queen Sophia to crosses, devotional pillars, small chap- King Wenceslas caused him to be put els, sculptures usually at cross-roads, at to death. His body was thrown off the the beginning or at the end of villages, Charles Bridge into the Vltava River. in their centres or on the highest points As the patron of lawyers, the protector in the landscape. Today’s symbols of of bridges and waters, and the symbol Statue of St. John of Nepomuk meekness, serenity, and forgiveness of discreetness, reliability and cour-

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space is where John of Nepomuk is known and revered – in close connection with The Norwegian rural landscape the Czech lands, Bohemia, Slovakia, and its built heritage Austria and other middle European coun- tries. The new Europe needs not only a When people in Norway are asked successful economy, but also a common to describe an old farm building, it cultural and spiritual orientation”. is usually a log-built house without panel boarding and with a peat roof. Pavlina Misikova “Trommald” farm

Jiri Havran © Riksantikvaren in Buskerud County This is the “classic” building in the Focal Point of the European Landscape Convention, ELC inland valleys of Southern Norway Ministry of the Environment from former times. Later, and in of the Slovak Republic Only around 3% of Norway is arable, other parts of Norway, panelling Landscape Management Department and only a third of this is good for was common. Regional differences Namestie L. Stura 1, 812 35 Bratislava, grain production, so agriculture are often found both in building Slovakia [email protected] has always been dependent on the techniques and visual expression. extensive use of the great forest and In the last century, the rural land- mountain areas covering most of scape in many parts of Norway was the country. Restricted agricultural dominated by white dwellings, a red resources have created considerable multi-functional economy building diversity based on local adaptations and log-built storage buildings from to differences in climate and natural former times. conditions. This diversity also cov- ers the built heritage. The most valuable part of Norway’s vernacular heritage is the great Norway’s rural landscape is domi- number of wooden buildings from nated by single farms, historically the Middle Ages which are unique supplemented by separate moun- in the world. At present, there are tain dairy farms for grazing, fodder- 233 of them but, because the build- gathering and production of dairy ing types and techniques in certain products during the summer. The areas have remained stable over country has no villages nor many many centuries, ongoing work to big estates. Free peasants on their decide on the age of old buildings still own farms have been a dominant comes up with additional buildings image in our agricultural history, dating back to this period. In addi- albeit with groups of crofters and tion to the obvious heritage value, cottiers in-between. The ethnic the knowledge and skills resulting diversity in rural regions is related to from the study and management of the Sámi indigenous population and these buildings has a considerable two national minorities of Finnish value-potential for the building and descent, in the north and south of forestry sectors of today. Norway. Even Gaukstad Senior Adviser During the second half of the Riksantikvaren – Directorate th 19 Century and at the start of the for Cultural Heritage 20th, the Norwegian rural landscape Pb. 8196 Dep. changed dramatically. It was reor- NO-0034 Oslo ganised, with single farms dominat- Norway ing, and was reshaped by new tech- nology. In numerous farm-yards, a large number of small, single-func- tion buildings were replaced by a small number of multi-functional buildings. Luckily, a great number of the old buildings were also kept and preserved.

Timber is the main building material, with peat and stone also

used, especially along the coast. Ragnhild Hoel © Riksantikvaren Kruke farm in Oppland County Rural Vernacular Heritage and Landscape in Europe

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Trading house, Southern Transylvania Gheorghe Patrascu Vernacular heritage in Romania

Although vernacular architecture in set characteristic of people from a Europe has a number of characteristics given community, linked to the uncon- that give it a certain unity, the expres- scious workings of the mind or what sion of traditions handed down from one might call the “child” inside the

ancient cultures which have infl uenced adult. Ernest Vella one another over the years, with dis- tinctive traits for each major cultural Studying rural culture can be an excit- area, it still features numerous specifi - ing way of unearthing cultural resources cities at regional or local levels, espe- still latent in a community, or a peo- cially in areas which have been isolated ple. Vernacular architecture as a direct for religious, cultural or geographic expression of a particular culture in reasons. material form occupies a central place In much of Romania, vernacular archi- in this approach. Its rural vernacular Stone hut with a corral tecture is the remarkable expression architecture reveals the hidden spatial of a deep-rooted culture, particularly ideals of Romania’s communities and manifest in rural areas because of contributes to the creation of what the profoundly rural tradition that Lucian Blaga1 called a “stylistic matrix” Rural vernacular architecture characterised Romanian civilisation and a “space-time horizon” of its peo- in the Maltese landscape until the modern era. The golden age ple, while, at the same time, faithfully of this vernacular architecture in the transmitting the community’s original Carpathians is considered to be from objectives and ideals. Romania’s ver- The arid Maltese countryside, devoid the latter half of the 18th Century to the nacular architecture, particularly its of trees, led humans to adapt to it. The end of the 19th. rural architecture, helps to preserve its vernacular architecture found in the traditions. In a “propitious” geographic countryside is an indication of this adap- The ancient element has always been and historical context that protected it tation process. present as the expression of a minor from overwhelming outside infl uences, culture with timeless characteristics. It the country’s vernacular architecture Fields, terracing is the product of a sponta neous mind- has helped to preserve some strong and rubble walls forms of stylistic expression to this The Northern and Western parts of day. Malta are in great part karstic hilly regions. Where globigerina is scarce, The strength and specificity of numerous surface quarries known as Romania’s rural culture also stem from “mg˙iebel” can be found. Most of these the nature and soul of the Romanian quarries are shallow and rarely reach people. They form a special group more than fi ve metres in depth. From within the European continent, even these quarries, coralline limestone used Gheorghe Patrascu if they are part of South-East Europe, to be extracted to build rubble walls, a particularly expressive ethnographic corbelled huts, apiaries and sometimes area, they have certain affi nities with farmhouses. Once quarrying was com- Central Europe. pleted, the cavity was fi lled with stone chippings and covered by a thin layer Rural vernacular architecture shows the of soil collected from the surrounding close relationship between Romania’s garigue. country people and nature. Not many Most often, the hill slopes were quar- types of architectural expression can ried to create an artifi cial terraced fi eld. compare with Romanian rural vernacu- Most of these terraces were enclosed by lar architecture in terms of the orig- rubble walls which functioned as ter- inality of its design, with the functional ritorial markers, protecting fi elds from and the aesthetic in forms which, while adverse sub-aerial elements and from obeying the general rules of the build- wild animals. ing art, display surprising variety. The importance of vernacular architecture Corbelled huts in Romanian life is expressed rather Corbelled huts are found mainly in the eloquently by Lucian Blaga in a work Northern and Western parts of Malta on Romanian culture: “No monumen- where globigerina is rare while coralline tal architectural style has emerged in stone abounds. The shape of the cor- Romania, but there is no need for it: the belled huts called “girna” (sing.), “giren” spirit of the country’s architecture is (plu.) is a truncated cone. Corbelled huts Wooden door, Maramures, Northern Romania fully revealed in a simple farmhouse or a church overrun with nettles”2.

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The rural civilisation brings to mind the relationship between people are known traditionally to have served and nature, a highly topical subject. as shelters for farmers’ and shepherds’ In today’s conditions, where this guarding posts, animal folds and store- relationship has become strained, with rooms. To date, scholars have not man- little prospect of any improvement, Oven and chimney, North-East of Romania aged to unravel the origins of these we should take note of the lessons to structures. be learnt from our rural civilisation. Its structures, including architecture, Romania’s accession to the European Apiaries have never been in confl ict with nature Union is an opportunity to intensify Collecting honey was another import- but have respected its rules and looked efforts to preserve and make the most ant activity in Malta especially in areas after it. The years of experience found of our vernacular architecture, but deprived of soil. There are three types in rural architecture can still offer us this also means properly implement- of apiaries, known as “mg˙iebah¯ ” (sing.), remarkable lessons in the logic of struc- ing the European Spatial Development “mg˙iebah¯ ” (plu.): (1) hewn in the rock, tures, their integration into nature and Perspective, the Landscape Convention (2) built with dressed stone and (3) their functionality and aesthetics. (ESDP), the Guiding Principles of the niche-shaped built in rubble walls. The Sustainable Spatial Development of the fi rst two have an L-shaped plan with Today, rural architecture is undergoing European Continent (GPSSDEC-CEMAT) a doorway at the end of the building. a phase of acute change and loss of and other European legal instruments. The façade was pierced, thus providing traditional values, through its physical a passage for the bees. Beehives were disappearance, a natural and accept- Gheorghe Patrascu built in earthenware jars called “qollol”, able phenomenon up to a point, but Director General which were placed inside the apiary. also through its damage by the uncon- Directorate General of Spatial and Urban trolled introduction of elements from Planning and Housing Policy Ministry of Transport, Construction Corrals other cultures, or by would-be “cre- and Tourism Corrals, known as “c˙ikken”, consisted of ative” architecture (often in doubtful Calea Serban Voda, nr. 66, Apt. 8, Sector 4, a yard enclosed with a high rubble wall. taste). Romania Here shepherds gathered their fl ocks of [email protected], [email protected] sheep and goats, milked them and col- This distortion of the traditional good lected manure to sell to farmers. taste of the peasant builder is a phe- 1 Lucian Blaga, Romanian poet and philosopher nomenon for which the peasants them- (1895-1962), who deserves to be better known out- side Romania Farmhouses selves are not to blame. 2 Lucian Blaga – “The Trilogy of Culture”, Universal The old Maltese farmhouse, “ir-razzett” literature Edition, Bucharest, 1969. (sing.), “irziezet” (plu.), offered privacy Some causes are objective, such as and shelter. It was an introspective the general social development trend building with few apertures. Stables in Europe, globalisation or develop- and barns were built on the ground fl oor ment problems specifi c to Romania. around an open courtyard. The fi rst It is worth remembering that, from fl oor was the area where the farmer’s 1985-1989, the communist regime family lived. introduced an aggressive policy to standardise the villages, with a view Conclusion to destroying the traditional rural life- Gheorghe Patrascu Maltese rural architecture, although ver- style. Today, those responsible for this nacular, demonstrates the skilful man- continuing damage to the rural land- ner in which local people made use of scape are the politicians and the so- the materials offered by the landscape. called specialists. They are incapable Although this type of architecture is of understanding the real, deep-rooted gradually dying away, efforts are being value of the experience of vernacular made to teach the present and future architecture and do not do enough to generations how to conserve this heri- conserve these worthwhile sites that tage in order to ensure the sustainability still exist, or to preserve the traditional of the landscape. values through education.

Ernest Vella These remarks do not refer to the University of Malta, 33 Triq il-Barriera exceptional heritage items which are Balzan, BZN 06 already protected by law, although Malta even here there are many problems [email protected] with regard to the delimitation of pro- tection zones and the raising of funds Wooden barn with thatched roof, Northern Romania

for restoration. Rural Vernacular Heritage and Landscape in Europe

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New approaches to historic farmsteads Distribution maps of barns in England, in the United Kingdom

pre-1750 © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. English Heritage 100019088. 2004

Historic farmsteads should be con- have, in response to this need, drawn sidered and analysed in relationship together a wide range of available infor- to their landscapes, as well as past and mation as a fi rst step in presenting an present social, economic and cultural information base for a broad diversity contexts, for only then will patterns of users with an interest in researching, emerge beyond the narrow confi nes understanding and managing historic of building studies. We need to paint farmsteads. These place regional devel- a picture based on what we know, opments into a national framework, posing questions for future research. and extend to summary statements Recent work, co-sponsored by English outlining the agricultural development Heritage and the Countryside Agency, of each of the Joint Character Areas. A has stressed the need for the historic pilot project in Hampshire, now being environment sector to promote more extended into Sussex and the Weald of positive means of managing change and Kent, has demonstrated that the den- develop an evidence base that informs sity and time-depth of farmsteads as best practice, targeting resources and well as the rates of survival of differ- monitoring the effectiveness of current ent types of steading and building are grant schemes and policies. National closely related to patterns of histori- planning policy now requires local cally-conditioned landscape character authorities to take a more fl exible and and type. This is testing and amend- positive approach to the sustainable ing the results of Historic Landscape reuse of redundant rural buildings, and Characterisation and contributing to place more emphasis on both better a more integrated and richly-textured quality design and greater use of place- understanding of both buildings and specifi c guidance and directions, the landscapes, and are enabling us to majority of planning guidance at local make positive recommendations and tral England most profoundly affected level refl ects limited knowledge of the develop toolkits for sustainable reuse by the agricultural improvements of the nature and character of historic farm- based on an understanding of those post-1750 period. © Crown copyright. steads, whether on a local scale or in features or elements that contribute to All rights reserved. English Heritage their broader context. The appearance local distinctiveness and countryside 100019088. 2005 in 2005 of the new Agri-Environment character.1 Schemes, which fund farmers for the Barns are generally the largest farm build- delivery of environmental benefi ts (his- Captions ings to be found on farms. Barns solely toric as well as natural, including build- Distribution map of barns in England, built for storing and processing crops ings) has further revealed that there pre-1750 are presented. are most common in ar able areas, such is far less information available on a as this group in the Chilterns in southern landscape scale about farmsteads and The great majority of substantially England. This example of a fi eld barn their buildings than other aspects of the complete pre-1750 barns has been on the chalk downs north of Weymouth cultural landscape, such as settlement listed. These maps pose important in Dorset exemplifi es the sheep-corn patterns, fi eld systems and boundary questions for future research. In the economy that typifi ed this area from the features. pre-1550 map, the concentrations 14th-19th Century. The low building to in a belt around London, the south- the right is a rare example of a sheep A revised policy on traditional farm ern Pennines and from the Feldon of shelter. Linear farmsteads such as in the buildings, which will highlight these Warwickshire into mid Devon conceal Oswestry Uplands on the Welsh border requirements and the role that these a wide range of sizes and types of are largely absent from the south and buildings will play in the diversifi cation barn, ranging from large aisled barns east of the country but were suited to of farm incomes, rural development to relatively modest barns which have upland areas where small numbers of and the maintenance and enhancement not been replaced in later centuries due cattle were housed for long periods over of a high-quality rural environment, to farm size and other factors. Many winter and there were obvious advan- was published by English Heritage and of the outliers, such as in Cornwall tages in having all on-farm activities the Countryside Agency in 2006. One and Durham, represent the building housed under one roof. The photograph key recommendation is that solutions of substantial barns on ecclesiastical shows, from the left, a stable, cowhouse, must take account of regional and local estates in the medieval period. In the threshing barn and the house. diversity and circumstances – differ- 1550-1750 period, regional patterns ences in patterns of settlement, redun- of building and survival emerge more Jeremy Lake Inspector, Characterisation Team dancy, dereliction and conversion, and strongly, such as the concentration English Heritage in farmstead and building character – stretching from the Lancashire Plain National Monuments Record and the implications this has in terms to the southern Pennines, and the rela- Swindon SN2 2GZ of strategies for re-use. Eight prelimi- tive absence of pre-1750 barns in the [email protected] nary regional character statements planned landscapes of eastern and cen-

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Croatia: An example of the old village of Posavski Bregi

The historic village of Posavski Bregi buildings are corners of untrimmed developed in the wider area of the beam ends, known as Croatian cor- Sava river valley, along the old road ner/connection. Roofs are covered which connects Ivanic´-Grad with the by a plaint tile, but the oldest cover closest crossing over the river Sava. of rye straw has not been preserved Until today, it has been the centre of anywhere. Most of the present tim- the parish and a municipal centre. ber houses emerged in the fi rst half The village existed before the arrival of the 20th Century and the oldest of the Turkish in the 16th Century. At wooden houses date probably from that time, the inhabitants were forced the end of the 18th Century. to leave. It was re-inhabited in about 1595, and the new parish established Due to a well preserved historical in 1790. The old wooden chapel of environment, there is a signifi cant St. Cross (1649) was replaced with tourist potential in the village. The a parish church in 1815. The plan introduction of programmes con- of the village is almost the same as nected with the traditional way of it was on the map of the fi rst cadas- life, e.g. production of traditional tral measurement from 1861, so the cloth: fl ax growing and presentation

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. English Heritage 100019088. 2004 scope of this big rural settlement of the traditional fl ax processing and 17th Century farm, South Downs, England with several smaller branches has weaving, have laid a good foundation not signifi cantly changed. Old tim- for the development of cultural and ber houses and barns today make up ecological tourism. 1 Lake, J. and Edwards, B. “Farmsteads and about 40% of the total number of Landscape: Towards an Integrated View”, houses in the village. Silvija Nikši Landscapes,7.1., 2006, 1-36. Senior Advisor at the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Heritage From the beginning of the settle- Ministry of Culture ments, vast areas of oak forests 10 000 Zagreb resulted in the almost exclusive use Croatia of wood for building materials. In Runjaninova 2 [email protected] these areas, wood was used con- www.min-kulture.hr tinuously in the second half of the 20th Century, from palisades of fortifi - cations, sacred objects to houses and all farm buildings. General stagnation of building in villages is the result of the weakening of agricultural produc- tion and depopulation in villages in the second half of the 20th Century. Until recently, there has not even been any new masonry construction in these villages. The timber house, over a long time span, differs in its form and construction. The basic characteristics of the older traditional Goran Bekina, Melita Lubina Goran Bekina, Melita Lubina Goran Bekina, Melita Lubina Old one-storey timber house Unused timber house Timber walls Rural Vernacular Heritage and Landscape in Europe

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Farm and landscape in Germany: reuse of rural buildings

In Germany, the structural system of Damage to timber frameworks when drying and all connections will many rural buildings is a timber frame- Most of the damage to wooden frame- have gaps. So all replacement parts work for roofs and walls. They consist works is caused by moisture pollution must have balanced humidity (12-24%, of a timber framework with primary and through rain, damp and condensation. seasonable). secondary members. Within the walls, Unplanked frameworks cannot be made the space between the wooden beams water or rain proof. Through inherent Connections of wood in traditional is fi lled with readily available materials gaps between framing and the walls as constructions such as wattling and clay, sun dried, or well as the wooden joints and cracks in In order to restore traditional construc- in later years, burnt bricks. Clay or chalk the beams, water can infi ltrate. These tions, only dry wood of the same type are used as coating and are daubed with are the weak points of the framework. as the existing construction can be used. natural colours. The complete structure Humidifying and dehumidifying are not Big cracks must be closed with wood is exposed to the different weather an option on highly exposed weather only, never using fi ller for splits. conditions. This paper will show how sides. Condensation on the inner sur- to conserve and restore ancient frame- face occurs if non-diffusible materials All wooden clamps should be manufac- work buildings, retaining their inherent are used. Moisture must dry inside as tured in the traditional way as wooden expression and to develop a method- well as outside. This is because inside joints. Metal plate fasteners are an ology for the renovation of ancient farm vapour stopping layers and air layers are additional cause for conden sation. buildings. often arranged incorrectly. Shelving wall Traditional clamps like joints, tenons, constructions should be homogeneous. scarf, halving and notches should Most of Germany’s agricultural villages Materials should be able to transport be described and sketches added. and small towns consist of traditional humidity by diffusion or capillarity. Manufacturing these wooden joints is framework buildings. Conserving these time-consuming, and no machines are buildings means fi nding new functions Wood humidity higher than 18 % sup- available. as well as appropriate restoration tech- ports the growth of wood destruction niques. We must therefore have a good fungus. Boletus Destructor favours Mortises should be opened by drilling. knowledge of the inherent problems of moist conifer wood. Wet-rot by mildew This drainage is also available in the case timber framework and its materials. affects conifer and deciduous wood. of deep cracks. Cross grain should be Insects also affect wood with a degree sealed with modern coatings. Surfaces Analysis and preliminary design of moisture that equals air humidity. of sills can be sloped to make the water The essential basis for the successful run off. It is not advisable to put tar- reconstruction of a historical build- Renovation of wooden paper underneath the sills as this leads ing, eg a barn, is proper planning as constructions to the accumulation of moisture. described in the following steps: To renovate timber frameworks suc- – analysis of durability, record of dam- cessfully, the followting is necessary: Artifcial wooden protection age and weak construction points; – the quality and the humidity of the The steps within the process of chemi- – survey of construction, creating a site wood should be appropriate; cal wood protection should be carefully measuring; – connections of the beams should be harmonised and products or product – demand of new applications in respect ensured; and groups carefully defi ned. The quantity of static, fi re protection, insulation – protection of the wood should be care- and the methods of application should and humidity; fully carried out. be accurately stated. For timber frame- work, diffusionable dispersions or coat- Design of details, record for submission Quality of wooden constructions ings in accordance with DIN 68800 are and costs. The ratio between material and wages approved. The wood surfaces should be The survey of building should be done is 1:10 for renovating historical wood- cleaned completely before coating: with the usual instruments. constructions. As the wages are so high, – Macerating will lead to environmen- Expensive photogrammetry is only the renovation should be effective and tal problems with solvents. Materials needed for buildings of the highest qual- lasting. Oak should be used without sap- will soak due to the amount of water ity with carving and ornaments. wood, and conifer only as fully squared which is needed after treatment; The reconstruction will remove con- wood. – Peeling off is only to be applied on structional and hygiene problems, and small surfaces as it takes too much the quality of living and utilisation for Wooden construction parts affected by time; modern purposes will receive warranty. insects or fungi should be removed. The – Manual brush off or rubbing is also too The historical construction principles replaced construction parts should be time-consuming; should be observed while changing protected with boric salt. The causes – Machine wire-brushing will grind the the layout. Support and partition walls of moisture need to be completely surface too much; should be identifi ed. Technical equip- removed. During construction, short- – Blasting with abrasion materials like ment should be modernised and the cli- term exposure to humidity like rain or glass-powder will remove old colour mate improved as a measure of building wet mortar should be avoided. Wood layers without damaging the wood physics. with too much moisture will shrink surface.

18 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 18 25/03/08 15:47:42 Peter Epinatjeff Peter Epinatjeff

cal wood constructions, labour time values were laid down in German and Swiss projects and submissions (Gerner, 2002). High labour costs require precise construction supervision, carefully esti- mated cost plans should be controlled 18th Century house and barn Survey of 18th Century house and barn at short intervals. Conclusion Wall constructions straw loam mortar and calcium silicate Our framework constructions of up to For the last 400 years, framework build- layers (U-value = 0,7 W/m2K) have a 500 years old can only be conserved in ings have been plastered to imitate stone reduced condensation problem due to the long term by professional reorgan- houses, or to provide better fi re protec- the capillary transportation of calcium isation and construction measures tion. So plastered frameworks may also silicate. Shelving with light clay and cal- which correspond to modern applica- be a historical feature of the building. cium silicate insulation causes the least tions. As a result of earlier renovations, the condensation problems and provides a structure of the framework has been better U-value (0,6 W/m2K). The extensive building inventory cannot changed through the later addition of be secured by museal conservation. windows and doors. Inside plaster For the renewal measures, basic knowl- Loam plaster is useful for loam construc- edge is necessary: Shelving and insulation tion. Chalk plaster is more resistant and – concerning the building site; Shelving with clay and stakes are should be spread on special layers like – with regard to regional character- elements of construction which have rush mat or wire netting. The inner wall istics; been technically approved. Gaps or construction should be wind-proof to – concerning specifi c static, construc- damaged parts should be repaired with avoid the penetration of rain water. tive and physical measures, essential clay and light clay (mineral and vegeta- for a particular design. ble light fi ller materials). While improv- Outside plaster and coating ing the insulation, core condensation Plaster layers should not cover the wood For that purpose, we lack suitable build- and condensation on the inner surface of frameworks. In the resulting splits, ers and craftsmen. New craft centres in of the wall should be avoided. water will infi ltrate and not dry out. The Germany and Italy have again to acquire plaster should be spread without touch- traditional working techniques and Inside insulation ing the wood. These edges are traps for knowledge of the materials. Within the All insulation and shelving materials moisture and will damage wood and architecture departments of univer sities, should be homogenious. Capillary and plaster. The plaster should be coated new tasks are starting to be found. In the diffusionary moisture transportation to level with the wood or, if necessary, future, detailed reorganisation and mod- the inside as well as the outside should pulvinated. Hydraulic mortar should ernisation preparations, cost-conscious be possible. Mineral wool connected be used, and not cement. The plaster planning, rapid conversion of research with damp insulating layers will inter- layers should be open for diffusion, but results and careful management of labour rupt moisture transportation and water not absorptive. Silicate coating should will help to reduce the costs of restoring will collect. The same effect is air layers be used preferably. our heritage of agricultural buildings. inside the wall. Collected water will not dry up from the inside. Outside planking Peter Epinatjeff University of Hohenheim, Gable frameworks subjected to rain Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Insulation materials containing calcium- need an umbrella. The stress depends D-70593 Stuttgart silicate have a low damp diffusion- on wind direction, building site and Germany resistance (µ=5). topography. Traditional protection like [email protected] shingle, slate, tiling, lap jointed sheeting This material has a good capillarity to and covered planting provide effective conduct condensation. Moisture will protection against rain. They should dry out in times of decreasing humid- be restored in accordance with the tra- ity. Calcium silicate is fi re proof, resist- ditional model. ant against fungus and recycable. The Institut für Bauklimatik (Bine-Info 7/00) Submission and cost calculation Peter Epinatjeff has tested different wall materials for In the past, restoration work was calcu- the framework in a historic building. lated in m3 for material and in running Insulation with mineral wood collected metres for joining and erecting timber too much condensation. This construc- work. Using the traditional wood-wood tion is impossible to use without damp clamps, a more detailed description of insulating layers in winter. Historical manual labour is needed. For histori- Reconstruction of outside façade Viewpoints

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Kimzha village, Arkhangelsk region Marina Kuleshova Specifi c features of the vernacular habitat in Russian culture

Vernacular habitat, as a common place sun exposure, topography, wind and and clay. Yards have multiple house- for human life and activity, could be the planning situation in mind. These hold buildings around them, forming associated with the house, settlement factors sum up the northern Russian a particular “ensemble” with the main and even the locality. The locality village. It is surrounded by fi elds and house. The latter is often covered by where people exercise their specifi c meadows, going along roads, emerg- a clay roof and white plastered. In the culture and certain traditions could be yards, additional stoves are erected for presented as the “tamed” or cultural cooking outside in the summer. The landscape. In a historic perspective, prevailing colours are white and light such landscapes represent values of blue. Rather wide streets with trees on heritage refl ecting the world views of both sides are common, and regular various ethnic and social groups. In planning of the villages prevails. their system of universal perception, relations and interactions with nature In the south of Russia, they also like to Marina Kuleshova are components of the landscape form decorate houses – carved architraves, and functions. As a result, it is possible painted shutters, fanciful forgery or to observe both total transformation of the chimneys and rain drains, carving the natural system, or on the contrary, on the roof edges – all these elements reverence for its intactness. Every ele- are present in the decorations of the ment of the landscape acquires in this houses and public buildings. Churches process an appropriate cultural context. are traditionally dominant in planning “Tamed”, meaning that the landscape a settlement, surrounded by the square Old door lock at Kyshtym, is always cultural. It is natural that the Chelaybinsk region and the public and commercial centre. key feature of such a landscape is a Historically, the southern borders of house, where stylistic and constructive Russia changed, and a zone of contacts, peculiarities are adapted to the natu- ing in forest clearings and divided by not always friendly towards neigh- ral environment. Russia, which is a big the shrubs and woods. Here, northern bours, was formed. The specifi c stra- country with diverse natural conditions peasants spent almost their whole tum of population – Cossacks – later varying from the arctic tundra to the lives – family profi ts were generated in the Urals and beyond, extended the dry steppes, demonstrates such adap- both by agricultural work and other defence of their cultural identity and tation. activities. Sea mammal hunting and modes of landscape acculturation. In fi shing provided signifi cant additional the southern and partially central part The northern point of European Russia, earnings and the specifi c Pomor culture of Russia, closed yards with high blind with its harsh climate, endless forests, was formed. The Pomor people com- gates, according to the “my house is huge wetlands, abundant rivers and prise a special stratum of the Russian lakes, has generated traditional wooden population, connected to the northern architecture later exported to Siberia coasts and maintaining seafaring tradi- and then reached the upper streams of tions. They left villages hidden in the its great affl uent rivers. These are vil- woods, travelling up the northern rivers lages set on the uplands or steep river for several months, and, on their way banks with massive northern houses, to the coast in the fi shing and hunt- where the inner part and household ing areas, there were huts built thus constructions are joined under one “marking” the landscape with specifi c roof, to avoid unnecessary exposure cultural elements. to cold and wind in winter. Russian vernacular architecture has always The vernacular habitats of Southern included decorative elements – rich Russia have quite different rhythms, wooden carvings on the architraves colours and forms. These are the and the roof (“towels”; “wings”, acco- steppes or borders of the forest and lade), sometimes decorations were steppe zones, therefore spaces are included on the porch and the stair- stretched out, and settlements tend to case. In some regions, there are paint- be hidden in the shadow of gardens. ings on the “po Zor” (inner part of the Here crop fi elds, not woods, are bound- roof hanging over the façade), on the less. Forest areas are found near river doors, or on the shutters. The public valleys or in areas not suitable for agri- centre of settlement is a church or a cultural use. Field-protection woods and chapel. They always have key locations hedgerows are abundant and delimit with a dominant topographic position, the arable lands with geometric regu- either on a hill, or in the centre of a larity. Settlements are placed on the natural amphitheatre – at the mouth slopes of valleys and erosion depres- of the river, etc. Houses are built with sions. Houses are built of wood, stone

20 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 20 25/03/08 15:47:47 Viewpoints Marina Kuleshova

my citadel” principle are still popular, while, in the Russian North, the absence of any fencing is more common.

The central part of Russia also has specifi c vernacular habitats. The set- tlements are located preferably on the high, non-fl ooded banks of rivers and lakes. This is the forest zone of Russia, but spacious areas of ploughed lands and meadows are quite common. The landscape is mosaic-like due to the overlapping and intersection of these types of ecosystems. Both tree plant- ings and park cultivation are character- istic of this zone. In previous centuries, there were many estates with gardens Private wooden house in Kyshtym, Chelaybinsk region and parks, some of them with well pre- served literary museums. Most Russian poets and writers were born or lived in lages, woods are characteristic – usu- guide, elaborated by the European these estates and were eager to describe ally these are birch groves, as Russians Conference of Ministers responsible for them in their works. In the traditional domesticate this tree and revere it. In Spatial/Regional Planning (CEMAT) of rural settlement, a house is usually central Russia, low and transparent the Council of Europe1, recently under- made of stone or wood. In contrast to fences are widespread. They neither taken by the Russian Research Institute the northern house, it is painted, and, limit, nor guard the household space, for Cultural and Natural Heritage, could as a rule, household constructions are but symbolically mark it. be an important contribution in safe- either dispersed or connected under guarding the heritage, its enhancement a light shed. Decorative art carvings In the 21st Century, a new type of ver- and preservation. of the architraves are the most dis- nacular habitat has emerged, typical tinguished elements. The façade of for the rather segregated population Marina Kuleshova, Tamara Semenova the house is typically decorated by the stratum of “new Russians”. Eclectic Russian Research Institute for “palisadnik” – a fenced fl owerbed with three-storey cottages with massive Cultural and Natural Heritage cultivated and wild plants. Near the vil- blinds and tall fences, the dominance 2, Kosmonavtov Str. of concrete constructions and asphalt RU – 129366 Moscow Russian Federation pavements on the estate, narrow, [email protected] tunnel-like streets between the high 1 www.coe.int/CEMAT fences – these are the main features of this emerging habitat. It tends to invade the neighbourhood of the most attractive localities, in particular with the presence of a vital infrastructure Marina Kuleshova and surrounds the city by a new “cot- tage” landscape.

The value of traditional vernacular habitats lies in the selection of the most suitable adaptation forms for human cohabitation and economic activity in the natural conditions and social context in certain historical peri- ods. During the intensive civilis ation changes or shifts, the adaptation proc- ess sometimes failed and to establish a specifi c optimal form and many ele- ments of the vernacular habitat could be irretrievably lost. In this context, the elaboration of methods and tools for defi nition, assessment and pres- Konyevo village in the Arkhangelsk region ervation of such elements is vital.

The adaptation of the European rural Viewpoints

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Sharecropper’s

house Stella Agostini in Central Italy Agriculture, land and people’s identity in Italy

The blue landscapes of the plains In the plains of Northern Italy, the deter- mining factor is water. Its presence means changes in the patterns of culti- vation and determines the evolution of

Stella Agostini the rural settlements in the Po Valley. In the dry plains which include plains and foot-hill areas, the land is best suited to cereals. The farms here are high and gathered together. The settlement is organised around a small courtyard and is almost always a multi-farm, with lots of space for each farmer, wooden balconies and indoor barn. In the water rich Po valley, south of Milan, the crops cultivated are: forage, rice, cereals, mixed crops as well as animal husbandry. The topography of these lands has been shaped by fl ooding, with mounds, basins and depressions, created by deposits of pebbles and sand, “Sassi”, Matera, Italy preserved over centuries to create a land- scape of woods and marshes, which the patient labour of farmers has converted Agriculture represents human’s old- level of settlement increases. In order to into fertile fi elds. The complex network est ability to modify a site to their own use as little productive land as possible of irrigation ditches and canals, necess- advantage and, traditionally, farming and for solidarity, given the environ- ary for this extension of cultivated lands, structures provide the elements that mental conditions, rural settlements are led to the construction of watermills and characterise the sense of the place. The generally concentrated in valleys and on “closed courtyard” farmhouses, a typical relationship between farming, peo- sunny mountain sides. The unitary struc- farmstead form of the Po Valley region. ple and land shapes the landscape in ture of the mountain dwelling is typical, The model is a continuous series of not response to the presence of such local resulting in a rural building and a home very high buildings, industrialised, form- factors as: the climate, availability of under one roof. The dwelling is separ- ing a solid perimeter around the farm- building materials and infrastructures ated from the work area only in areas yard, an open space which was originally on the land, the volume of farming pro - of higher socio-economic development. used to place the sheaves and for thresh- duction, the socio-economic system, The practice of summer alpine grazing, in ing cereals. building traditions, technical knowledge which the animals are gradually moved In many instances, these farmsteads and local crafts. to higher altitudes as the weather grows trace their roots back to the 13th Century All these factors converge in the organis- warmer, gave rise to “mountain pastures” structures. Across the plains, the clay- ation of farm buildings shaping, through- consisting of the grazing lands together rich soil has made clay bricks and roofi ng out the world, images of rural land- with a group of supporting buildings. tiles the prevailing material. scapes. On different side of the world, When livestock is moved from the val- This model of farming systems changes in every region, however small, has its own ley to the mountains, support buildings response to socio-economic conditions. recognisable type of farm. Often, looking are needed due to the great distances Territories which came under Milanese at it carefully is enough to understand a to be covered and the difficulties in or Venetian infl uence were characterised farming system and it is still well recog- moving. Usually, they are scattered by the presence of a few large agricul- nisable in Italy, where farmland covers and include a byre and a barn. In some tural estates, whereas, in the area around 50% of the territory. Here, agricultural cases, groups form to help each other Mantova and Reggio Emilia, the courts models have historically varied along during their stay in the mountains. The belonged to a nobility of comparatively the north-south axis, giving rise over the typical construction in the Alps, which minor rank whose estates were accord- centuries to a considerable heritage of are semi-permanent stations located at ingly smaller. widely diversifi ed rural systems. different altitudes, can vary according to Moving towards the Veneto plains, the the resources available, including settle- characteristics of rural buildings are The high green landscapes ments built of stone or completely made not well defi ned, except for the south of shepherds of wood. Padua area where the typical building In the mountain area, the land is barren As we move towards the Appennines, is the “casone”, with its distinctive low, and unsuited to cultivation. Traditional we fi nd mixed farming in the hilly areas, pointed roof. This simple model of rural activities include sheep-farming, and chestnut woods, meadows and pastures. settlement was fi rst built in the fi rst half grasslands dominate, whereas sowing The farmhouses are scattered or in ham- of the 15th Century, when vast marshy is limited and generally decreases as the lets (300÷1000 inhabitants). areas were reclaimed, this brought about

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a need for workers. In order to get the and fortifi ed masserie. During the 19th buildings – stables, storage barns, out- farmhands to stay, a fund was created to and the 20th Centuries, the Sassi were buildings for lodgings and equipment – help them build their homes. mostly settled by poor people living in have been substituted by prefabricated poor conditions. structures in reinforced concrete totally The town shadow unrelated to their function and the on the sharecropping landscapes The monochromatic landscapes environment. Often the former manorial For many years in Central Italy, agricul- of mobility residences have also been abandoned by ture and extensive animal husbandry After a long period of decay, the Sassi pretentious new villas imported from an were part of the landed estates. Here have been declared a World Heritage Site urban context that seems out of place family-run farms prevailed and share- by UNESCO and have been rehabilitated and dissonant in the countryside. New cropping was an integral part of the sys- as a tourist and cultural centre. However, buildings are the result of international tem. It is a system based on polyculture the main farm model remains the same. frontier-free architecture, introduced by which combines grass crops, tree crops While they remain, they will continue to industrialisation, which tends to ignore and animal breeding. The village dweller refl ect the considerable regional differ- local value. was both the owner of the house and of ences in types of farming and in housing Accession countries and world markets in the land and farmhouses were built along methods and crop threshing or livestock agriculture and food products, threaten a the lines of city dwellings according to feeding. But this heritage of buildings globalisation of people’s identity, erasing the owner’s wishes. and construction techniques risks being their cultural heritage and the separate The model of a sharecropper’s house is lost today. This is a result of the con- identities of each country and its people. known as “italico”: a tall farmhouse also siderable changes in farming methods This would considerably affect the cul- used as a dwelling, with a rectangular since the Second World War, with greatly tural diversity of the world. Undoubtedly, plan and saddle roof; the living quarters increased mechanisation and auto mation rural buildings are a direct testimony to are located either above the outbuilding as well as because of the changing of the human activity in a certain place and, if (outdoor stairway) or separate from it. socio-economic conditions. they are left to decay, part of our past Farming and cultural landscapes are the will be lost forever. The fortifi ed landscapes result of people’s work and of agricultural of the south policies. In the last 50 years in Italy, the Sustainable heritage South-Central Italy was for many years number of farmers and related labour has The links between cultivated fi elds and dominated by landed estates. The sys- decreased from 72 million and depopu- farm buildings are important markers tem revolved around a rigid hierarchy of lation has concerned both marginal areas of local distinctiveness and hence con- several fi gures: the owner, the adminis- and those more easily mechanised. The tributors to the sense of identity of the trator, the farmer, the farmhands. The production system, once based on a local communities. Their transformation model of this rural settlement (masseria) complex rotation system – even seven- and the rapid evolution of agricultural was built so as to be independent and year rotations – which meant that 80% techniques are a challenge to the world self-suffi cient. The structure is similar to of the surface was always green, is now and to Europe. the courts in the North. It can be simple based on monoculture which leaves The solution for the anonymous sites or complex depending on how many fi elds uncovered for more than seven of globalisation does not concern the buildings make it up. months. By opting for monoculture or a reconstruction of historical scenery Farm buildings become more and more simplifi ed two-year rotation, cow sheds incompatible with modern production. urbanistic when moving further towards and barns have become useless and have Sustainability in agriculture is correlated the South. made old farm buildings and dwellings to the chance of development. Here Often the grouping together of dwell- for dozens of people of no use at all. In sustainable means any form of care for ings makes, for historical reasons, large Italy, there are more than 1.5 million local identity of farming within a frame estates, for defence, absence of drinking totally abandoned farm buildings, in a of respect for the future of agriculture water in the countryside and long dis- trend of decay that extends beyond the tances to markets, etc. Because of this, Italian and European borders. the masseria takes on a complex form, The countryside of Europe covers 85% it can be a castle or fortifi ed. The shapes of the continent and the great diversity of the farm buildings are characterised of rural landscapes is recognised as the by the materials found in the area, in basic value of this heritage, wherever

particular, tufa (volcanic stone) and the the actual pattern of new farm buildings Stella Agostini climate. shows a direct link to industrial mod- A particular form of rural settlement els. strictly connected to the local resources While, in the past, the use of materials can be found in the area of Matera in and labour was strictly local and bound Basilicata, including the “Sassi”. They to tradition, nowadays the use of new are dwellings carved out of the rock on technologies and building techniques the mountain side, making up a complex has introduced elements and styles that form of settlement giving rise to rupestral are totally foreign to the local environ- Plains of Northern Italy

churches, water tanks along pastures, ment. In the courtyards today, the farm Viewpoints

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and makes a positive contribution to the means enriching this concept with the vernacular research” managed by the development of the quality of life and effects of farming in building a sense of Institute of Agricultural Engineering work of farmers, compatible with current place. The landscape, the environment, of the University of Milan within the social trends. the land and the people are part of one network of Forum UNESCO University Thus sustainable safeguards need fi rst and the same unit. To look at rural ver- and Heritage. This is an opportunity that of all to recognise the links between nacular heritage means to look at this should not be missed if the issue is to farming, people and the land which unit, understanding the main relation- be tackled, in view of the ratifi cation form the identity of the place. They ships assessing all aspects of authen- of the European Landscape Convention are the basis of “rural vernacular heri- ticity of farming sites and settlements which underlines the high level of peo- tage”. Until now, the attention of the and evaluating the forms in which their ple’s awareness. international community has focused integrity can be maintained. It means on “vernacular heritage” as a manner also developing specifi c guidelines and Stella Agostini of building shared by the community land policies, in order to promote the Institute of Agrarian Engineering, in order to respond to functional, social development of a new rural vernacular University of Milan Via Celoria 2 and environmental constraints (Charter heritage, able to maintain the genius 20133 Milan on the built vernacular heritage, October loci in the future development of rural Italy 1999). Adding “rural” to this defi nition areas. These are the aims of the “rural [email protected]

European Island Farm Landscapes Network Transnational Co-operation Project

Islands have largely been forgot- unique stone and turf walls, livestock Trust, and is co-funded by Leader ten in European regional landscape pens or shelters, and historic and which is one of four initiatives policy, yet their impact on the rural archaeological remains. Farm recrea- fi nanced by EU structural funds and communi ties, on the environment tion and farm accommodation tend is designed to help rural actors con- and biodiversity is profound. The to promote an important income for sider the long-term potential of their European Island Farm Landscapes farm business and are invaluable in local region. Network was established in 2005 promoting the link with landscapes as a partnership of islands working and wildlife such as by the resto- Graham Drucker, EIFL Project Coordinator, Hampshire and together to highlight shared con- ration or conversion of redundant Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Forest Offi ce, cerns, looking at the impacts of EU farm buildings. Tourism plays a key Parkhurst Forest, Newport, Isle of Wight, agricultural investments on island economic role in the majority of the PO30 5UL biodiversity and landscapes. Prime island network and may be invalua- United Kingdom. activities include promoting island ble for safeguarding vernacular farm [email protected]. www.islandfarming.net landscape features such as vernacu- buildings into the future. lar farm building architecture and of the rural built structures in the land- The project is coordinated by the scape including traditional and often Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Graham Drucker

Isle of Wight Farm, United Kingdom

24 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 24 25/03/08 15:47:53 Elsewhere in the world

Vernacular European infl uences in Argentina

From the influences of the colonial period to the contributions of the mass- ive migratory processes of the repub- lican period, the European vernacular infl uence has been present in several historical periods. At any of these Jorge Tomasi moments, European contributions were added to the local traditions generating new expressions.

The Spanish colonial process in America lasted from the end of the 15th Century until the beginning of the 19th. Beyond the acculturation process that the indigen ous communities suffered, many of the Hispanic vernacular traditions, with their Arab component, were added to the local experiences. Most of the col- onial architecture shows this adaptation process of the European traditions to those of a different territory. The action of the missionaries working in America was also important. Many of them brought architectural knowledge from their places of origin and they applied them in the construction of churches and houses in the new towns that were founded.

Between 1870 and 1920, the Argentinean government tried to give a European image to the country, seeking to forget the local traditions. As part of this pro- cess, massive European immigration was encouraged. Before 1910, more than two million immigrants entered the country, most of them from Italy and Spain, but also from other European countries. They brought, with their illusions of a new life, the culture of their home land, House in La Boca, Buenos Aires their language and their architecture. Maintaining these traditions was syn- onymous with maintenaining the values tributed with their traditions and their of their place of origin. Many of these values to developing new languages in communities of immigrants preserved the popular architecture incorporating their values, while others mixed them the new industrial materials that also with local contributions generating new arrived in the harbours. specifi cities. From all of these interactions, new Many of the groups of immigrants tried vernacular traditions emerged. The to maintain the productive structures European infl uences united with the of their places of origin; in some cases local values and generated new original helped by the similarity of the new answers to the needs that arose. lands. They also contributed to the architecture related to their productive Jorge Tomasi world. Some groups from Central Europe Architect reproduced their construction customs National Council of Scientifi c and Technical Research (CONICET) in wood, thus creating new vernacular University of Buenos Aires traditions. Many of the new residents Argentina

chose the urban world, where they con- [email protected] Elsewhere in the world

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Testimony

Italian Valdir Zwetsch migration, Campinas, Brazil Rural landscape in Southeast Brazil: the example of the Campinas Metropolitan Region

only one – which cuts through the due to the characteristics of rural land Environment Protected Area in the uses. In the context of development northwestern direction – in operation and urbanisation of the Campinas for tourist purposes. From the point of metropolis where the original Atlantic view of the historical process of ter- Forest was almost totally devastated,

Valdir Zwetsch ritorial occupation, we can distinguish the importance of this region should the strong presence of Italian migration be noted3. All the aspects of this during the golden coffee period, which Environment Protected Area are rep- can be noted in the religious and social resentative of the natural, historic traditions still present today. The colo- and cultural heritage and necessary to nial past of this region can be identifi ed maintain good standards of life in the by its innumerable farmhouses which metropolitan region of Campinas. are still well preserved. They compose a unique rural architectural heritage2 and Maria Helena Ferreira Machado Professor are thus a testimony to the agricultural Old train running nowadays for tourists, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism Carlos Gomes museum, Brazil production that projected Campinas on Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Brasil to the national scene. campinas [email protected]

1 The metropolitan region of Campinas, Beyond this rural architectural heritage The Enviromental Protected Area corresponds to 27% of the total area of Campinas Municipality, is today one of the most important on of old farmhouses and railway stations, totaling 223 km2 where its 29,000 inhabitants are the national scene because of its inser- bridges and tracks, we can highlight the distributed in both districts. 2 The first documentation on the farmhouses tion in the current economic dynam- urban nucleus of the districts of Souzas of Campinas’ colonial period was produced by ics. It is composed of 19 cities, with and Joaquim Egídio which, despite the Professor Area Pereira da Silva in 1996. The most 2.3 million inhabitants, responsible for widening of the urban boundary and signifi cant part can be found in the Environmental Protected Area of Souzas and Joaquim Egídio. about 10% of the total gross product the raising of innumerable land div- 3 Of 2.5% of the original vegetation that still remains of São Paulo State. Interconnected with isions for high income condominiums in the city of Campinas, 60% can be found in this the metropolis of São Paulo and other since the 1970s, has kept, in its orig- Environmental Protected Area. developed southeastern areas of the inal nucleus, 19th Century construc- country through its complex motorway tions, some restored and placed under system, it is an extremely industrial- govern mental responsibility. ised region. The strategic localisation of the region in the state urban net differ- It is necessary to remind ourselves of entiates from other areas of São Paulo the signifi cance of this Environment State, both because of the diversity of Protected Area, considering the rich its industrial park and the intense agro- drainage area that is essential for the industrial activity – specially sugar, metropolitan region water supply, and alcohol and citrus production – of its the still remaining vegetation covering surroundings. Campinas, with its one million inhabitants, is the main city of the metropolitan region surrounded by Satellite cities.

It is within this municipality that one

can fi nd the remains of an important Valdir Zwetsch rural heritage, nowadays protected by the “Environmental Protected Area” state law. Located in the northeast quadrant of Campinas City, this area is composed of two small districts: Souzas and Joaquim Egídio1.

This important route was used for going into the interior of Brazil by the bandeirantes in the 18th Century, this region was initially occupied by large sugar cane farms that were later trans- formed into coffee. With the arrival of the railways in the 19th Century for agricultural production, two railway Colonial farmhouses of Souzas and Joaquim Egidio, Campinas, Brazil branches were built. There is now

26 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 26 25/03/08 15:47:57 Elsewhere in the world National Institute of Culture, Peru

Contumaza street

An example of vernacular architecture in Peru: European architecture of Lima in the 19th and 20th Centuries

The transformation of Lima started and wattle and daub (walls made with transformed. They introduced halls in the 19th Century as a result of the cane and mud), crushed cane, wood instead of hallways, they replaced two Europeans revolutions: “the and plaster on the façades for dec- courtyards for halls with skylights. industrial and the scientifi c” which oration; also plaster was used on the The styles that we can identify are: completely changed the way of life internal and external walls. Only pre- Art Nouveau (1910–1915); the Italian (modus vivendi). fabricated iron imported from Europe fl oral style (1916–1919); the new col- The restoration of the city included particularly from France was used on onial style, was the only style imposed the following public works: installa- balconies, banisters, door railings by law in 1920 to all buildings. Some

National Institute of Culture, Peru tion of public electric lighting, street- and windows. That is the case of the elements of the Italian palace style cars, construction of new avenues houses built on the Contumazá, Lino (“palazzo italiano”) influenced the made with concrete and asphalt, Cornejo and Pachitea streets; they facades (1924–1928). installation of domestic drinking belong to the “Urban monumental European architecture influenced water and a drainage system. The environment” of “Historic Downtown local architecture and, as a result, use of “fi ne materials” (“materiales Lima”. “vernacular architecture” appeared nobles”) like cement, reinforced con- These apartment buildings of two and and is at present being studied by the crete, wrought iron in new public and three fl oors have decorated façades. National Institute of Culture. private buildings. Also, they created On the fi rst fl oor, ledge walls domi- new institutions that invested in the nate, on the second fl oor, there are Fanny Montesinos Sandoval Archaeologist modernisation of the city. columns, pilasters, sculptures, molds Master Restoration of Monuments The middle class housing construction (fl owers and caryatids), balconies, Peru continued using traditional materials pilasters, entablature, the surmount- [email protected] like stones for the foundations, bricks ings have cornices or pediment. The for the upper foundations, mud bricks buildings’ interiors were entirely Elsewhere in the world Lima, 1925 Futuropa no 1 / 2008 27

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Façade of Balai

ni Tana Adrian V. Lizares Dicang, Philippines Arquitectura Mestiza in the Spanish 18th Century Colonial Philippines

The arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s ture which permeated even the local shell, capiz, instead of the more expens- expedition in 1571, brought about the dwellings of those who had become ive imported Venetian glass. rise of Spanish Manila on the banks of wealthy and received higher education the River Pasig. Fortifi cations, churches in Europe known as the ilustrados or The second fl oor and main residence, and dwellings were built in the style the enlightened ones. reached by an elegantly carved wooden typical of the Pacifi c-Southeast Asian staircase, escalera, was a more sophis- region: houses-on-stilts built entirely of A new style of architecture was created, ticated space where the trappings of wood, bamboo, and thatch, the most described as arquitectura mestiza or European life were displayed. The abundant materials in the region. The mixed architecture because the struc- wooden skin of this upper storey, in native constructions’ predisposition to tures were built in stone and wood. It decorated bas-relief, had 90% of its fi re however, prompted them, under was likewise referred to by locals as wall space open ensuring its function as orders from King Philip II in 1573, to bahay ng kastila (Castilian house) or ventilation in the hot and humid tropi- re-design the structures by using fi re- bahay na bato at kahoy (house of stone cal climate. Its enclosure, composed of retardant materials and changing the and wood). Similarities to vernacular central sliding wooden lattice windows, norm of construction altogether. In the Northern Iberian architecture can be ventanas, glazed with capiz, in tandem mid-1580s, through the discovery of noted with the pragmatism of its basic with operable louvered persianas (for volcanic tuff deposits, known locally design. Like the Basque caserio or the keeping the sun but not the breezes as adobe, in San Pedro de Makati north pazo of Galicia, it is identifi ed with a out), included ventanillas with barandil- of the city, a Jesuit priest-engineer, ground fl oor of stone and an upper fl oor las or balustraded windows below and Fr. Antonio Sedeno, trained Filipino of timber. The ground fl oor was used callados or traceried fretwork above, all master builders or maestros de obras not for human habitation but for stor- bringing the maximum passage of air in quarrying and dressing stone. Thus, age and/or livestock, with the second into the home. The entire structure was along with the efforts of the fi rst bishop fl oor as the home’s main living quar- roofed with tejas, fi red terra-cotta roof of Manila, Domingo Salazar, they com- ters. In comparison, the spaces in the tiles in the Spanish mould. All these menced the building of what was once lowly Filipino bahay kubo or cube-house details kept the inhabitants comfort- regarded as “the Europe of Asia” in the of bamboo and thatch had the same able all year-round. walled city of Intramuros, the heart of use. What makes the bahay na bato Manila. at kahoy remarkable is that the core There was a conscious effort to impose form of the house remained exactly the European techniques in the creation Manila was laid out in typical new- same as its predecessor: a house-on- of this type of Philippine architecture. world-colonial fashion: streets on a stilts, but this time the wooden stilted However, it resulted in an East-West gridiron pattern, with a grand central skeletal structure was surrounded by fusion of styles due to the native cul- square or plaza mayor, dominated by a stone skirt on the ground fl oor and a ture, its other foreign infl uences, and the cathedral and its attached rectory wooden skin on the upper fl oor. the tropical climate thus resulting in or convento, surrounded by the gover- a truly Philippine architecture found nor general’s palace, the tribunal and Arquitectura mestiza was most infl u- nowhere else in the world. city council, and other institutional enced by Europe becoming the show- and civic structures of importance. case of European-style living from the Sadly, there are very few ancestral Moreover, the structures were built 17th-to the early 20th Century, spread- homes that still exist in Manila that are following a new method of architec- ing not only in Manila but throughout well maintained. all the islands as well. The ground fl oor, zaguan, was paved with Chinese gran- Vincent Pinpin Architect ite, piedra china or patterned fl oor tiles, 16 D Muñoz Avenue, Carmel baldosas, surrounded by volcanic tuff, 5 Subd, T.Sora adobe, or fi red clay brick, ladrillo, walls Uezon City of at least a metre thick bound together 1116, Philippines by mortar, argamasa, of powdered lime [email protected]

Adrian V. Lizares and water with crushed shells, cor- als, even molasses and egg whites – ingredients they believed made the structure more sturdy and enduring. The columns, haligue, disengaged and independent of the walls were made of solid hardwood indigenous to the islands. The ground fl oor walls were punctuated by large arched windows and doors often laced with decorative grille work, plateria, and shielded by Sala of Balai ni Tana Dicang (Clan Lizares) wooden latticed windows glazed with the translucent window-pane oyster

28 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

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UNESCO – Rural vernacular architecture: an underrated and vulnerable heritage

By defi nition, the rural vernacular heri- and adversely affects the physical and could be deemed to be of exceptional tage is a humble and everyday heritage, functional integrity of these assets. universal value if they fall into a cul- and this may be why it features so little Modern materials are used, as are tural landscape category and meet one on the World Heritage List. There is not processes unrelated to old-established of the criteria for the World Heritage much of the spectacular or monumen- practices. Glass wool is used instead of List, such as criterion number v. in tal about it, and the top names of world cob, and breeze blocks take the place the Operational Guidelines for the architecture played no part in it, for it of dry stone. This is as much due to Implementation of the World Heritage was the work of ordinary unknowns. the disappearance of traditional skills Convention2. Such a loss would be Yet the simplicity of the materials used as to the sometimes prohibitive cost of one for humankind as a whole. The to build the rural vernacular heritage, traditional building techniques. features of Europe’s rural vernacular and its structures and functions should heritage proliferated as various migra- not blind us to the ingenuity of those In spite of itself, this heritage some- tory movements took place towards who invented the systems and pro- times, under pressure from the cities, emerging countries such as China, cedures that enabled climate, topog- becomes an urban heritage, the very India and Brazil. Many assets in these raphy and fi nancial constraints to be existence of which is under threat countries bear witness to the skills that taken into account. And the achieve- because of its inappropriateness to the immigrants brought with them and ments of many contemporary archi- present-day lifestyles or its use in a new made use of in their relations with tects cannot rival the way in which it is context alien to its former one. their new environment. The countries integrated into the landscape. concerned, which have always been This heritage, highlighted in 1994 by predominantly rural, have started to What is more, this living heritage is the Global Strategy, and which ICOMOS experience the same industrialisation as fragile as it is vulnerable. In both identifi ed subsequently as one of those process and rural depopulation on a Europe and North America, an irre- left off the World Heritage List1, is now huge scale. There is therefore a great – versible change occurred following the in danger. It is important for it to be and decisive – need for Europe to safe- Industrial Revolution and the drift away inventoried, documented and explored guard its rural vernacular heritage. from the land. This process is continu- so as to ascertain its characteristics, its Marielle Richon ing apace, as these assets are being value and how to preserve it. There is Communication, Education bought up by well-off city-dwellers try- also a need for conservation techniques and Partnership Section (CEP) UNESCO ing to get back to nature. and practices to be developed which World Heritage Centre (WHC) respect its integrity. Offi ce 2.26 7, place de Fontenoy Taking on a new function, the land- 75352 PARIS 07 SP France scape undergoes far-reaching changes Heritage conservation is a selective [email protected] as the close, deep-rooted bond between process highly revealing of the priorities agriculture and the buildings put up of the governments and communities 1 The World Heritage List: Filling the Gaps – an Action Plan for the Future, Paris, ICOMOS, 2005 for it fades. A gradual process of gen- where the memory of the past is con- 2 Criterion v. “to be an outstanding example of a tra- trifi cation of farmhouses, barns and cerned. The countries of Europe thus ditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which even whole villages as a result of this need to react to prevent the memory is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it infl ux from towns and cities brings of the rural past from being irrevoca- has become vulnerable under the impact of irrevers- about far-reaching structural changes bly lost. Especially because some sites ible change”. Marielle Richon

Farm along Hadrian’s Wall, United Kingdom The role of international governmental and non-governmental organisations

Futuropa no 1 / 2008 29

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Council of Europe – A comparative reading of the Granada and Florence Conventions: an alliance between architectural heritage and landscape

Under the Convention for the Protection – landscape contributes to “consolida- harmonious relationship between of the Architectural Heritage of Europe tion of the European identity”; social needs, economic activity and (Granada, 3 October 1985), the expres- the environment. sion “architectural heritage” is consid- – the quality and diversity of European ered to include the following permanent landscapes constitute a “common Maguelonne Déjeant-Pons Head of the Cultural Heritage, Landscape properties: monuments (all buildings resource”; and Spatial Planning Division and structures of conspicuous histori- Council of Europe cal, archaeological, artistic, scientifi c, – the architectural heritage bears ines- Strasbourg social or technical interest, including timable witness to our past, and it France their fi xtures and fi ttings); groups of is important to hand a system of [email protected] buildings (homogeneous groups of cultural references down to future urban or rural buildings conspicuous generations; for their historical, archaeological, artistic, scientifi c, social or technical – infringements of the law protecting interest which are suffi ciently coher- the architectural heritage must be ent to form topographically defi nable met with a relevant and adequate units); and sites (the combined works response by the competent auth- of people and nature, areas which are ority; partially built upon and sufficiently distinctive and homogeneous to be – landscape and its protection, man- topographically defi nable and are of agement and planning entail “rights conspicuous historical, archaeological, and responsibilities for everyone”; artistic, scientifi c, social or technical interest). According to the European – it is important to reach agreement on Landscape Convention (Florence, the main thrust of a common policy 20 October 2000), “landscape” means for the “conservation” and “enhance- an area, as perceived by people, whose ment” of the architectural heritage; character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human – we need to achieve sustainable devel- factors. opment based on a balanced and

Should we not consider vernacular housing, which is all too often ignored or mistreated, in the light of these two international treaties? Surely, the unique beauty of housing and the sur- rounding landscape often stem from the harmonious combination of the Marina Kuleshova buildings and their location.

So it is worth drawing attention to the basic principles laid down in these two treaties:

– the architectural heritage constitutes an irreplaceable expression of the richness and diversity of Europe’s cultural heritage;

– landscape contributes to the forma- tion of local cultures and is a basic component of Europe’s natural and cultural heritage; Window, Russian Federation – the architectural heritage is a “com- mon heritage” of all Europeans;

30 Futuropa no 1 / 2008

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ICOMOS – A Charter for Vernacular Architecture

Researcher John B. Jackson opts for maintain living communities. Changes Charter asks conservation profession- a pragmatic approach to vernacular to vernacular buildings are acceptable als dealing with vernacular architecture architecture as he defi nes this concept if they respect the cultural values and to understand the formation and the in the following terms: “the vernacular the traditional character of the commu- transformation processes of a cultural is whatever the average home builder nities. The Charter further states that landscape before making any interven- accomplishes daily” 1. The authors of the built vernacular heritage is an inte- tion. This level of attention should be the Charter on the built vernacular heri- gral part of the cultural landscape and applied when dealing with vernacular tage share this sense of practicality. For that this relationship should be taken settlements and buildings as well5. instance, in this Charter, which was into consideration in the development offi cially adopted by ICOMOS at its of conservation approaches. It implic- Marc de Caraffe th President 12 General Assembly (Mexico, 1999), itly recognises that rigid conservation International Committee of vernacular examples of what constitutes vernacu- measures applied to a cultural land- architecture (CIAV), ICOMOS lar architecture are provided instead of scape can result either in destroying Parcs Canada a defi nition2. According to this docu- this landscape, as it would no longer be 25, rue Eddy ment, the vernacular may be recog- economically viable, or in transforming Gatineau QC CANADA K1A 0M5 nised by a manner of building shared it into a museum. The Charter is aimed [email protected] by the community, by a recognisable at maintaining and preserving groups local or regional character sensitive and settlements of a representative to the environment, by coherence of character, region by region. This is why 1 John B. Jackson, “The Domestication of the Garage,” Landscape 20,2 (1976), p. 19. style, form and appearance, or by the it recommends that interventions to 2 The Charter is available on line at the following site: use of traditionally established building vernacular structures should be carried http://www.international.icomos.org/chartes.htm 3 Kingston Wm. Heath, The Patina of Place: The types, by traditional expertise in design out in a manner that will respect and Cultural Weathering of a New England Landscape, and construction which is transmitted maintain the integrity of the situation, University of Tennessee Press, 2001. informally, by an effective response to the relationship to the physical and cul- 4 Pierre Larochelle, “Le paysage humanisé comme bien culturel”, Continuité (Quebec, Canada), No. 110, functional, social and environmental tural landscape, and of one structure Fall 2006, pp. 20-22. constraints, or by the effective appli- to another. But more importantly, the 5 The author wishes to thank Ms Rhona Goodspeed cation of traditional construction sys- Charter acknowledges the importance from Canada, Ms Kirsti Kovanen from Finland, and Ms Monique Trépanier from Canada, for their coop- tems and crafts. of maintaining traditional know-how eration. as the vernacular expression is mostly A large measure of pragmatism can founded in the continuity of traditional also be found in the principles and building systems and of traditional guidelines of the Charter on built heri- skills. The Charter recommends that tage, as they do not try to enforce a these skills be retained, recorded and rigid doctrine of conservation princi- passed on to new generations of peo- ples that would only result in the loss of ple and builders through education and this type of heritage in the long run. The training. Charter’s principles are based on the involvement and support of vernacular The authors of the Charter on vernacu- communities and make an appeal for lar architecture never intended to draft their continuing use and maintenance. a doctrinal statement. Their pragmatic In a sense, these principles are in line approach is based on the fact that it with Kingston W. Heath’s concept of would be impossible to use rigid con- “cultural weathering”, as they allow servation standards in preserving the dwellers to shape and change their basic character of an evolving cultural built environment according to their landscape because, as Professor Pierre needs3. Instead of being prescriptive, Larochelle has noted, living communi- the principles of conservation of the ties are constantly making changes to Charter can be liberally used in order to their built environment4. In fact, the Marc de Caraffe Marc de Caraffe Marc de Caraffe Marc de Caraffe

Village of Dagnjia, China Houses in the Dominican Republic Orleans Island, Quebec, Canada Coptic Village near Luxor, Egypt The role of international governmental and non-governmental organisations

Futuropa no 1 / 2008 31

kg712953_Futuropa.indd 31 25/03/08 15:48:17 Council of Europe Directorate of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage Cultural Heritage, Landscape and Spatial Planning Division F-67075 Strasbourg cedex Web: http ://www.coe.int/futuropa The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organisation which was founded in 1949. Its aim is to work towards a united Europe based on freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Today, the Organisation has 47 member states and is thus a privileged platform for international co-operation in many fi elds such as spatial planning, landscape and natural and cultural heritage. The “Futuropa” magazine, formerly entitled Naturopa and published since 1968, is intended to raise awareness among European citizens and decision-makers of the importance of sustainable territorial development of the European continent. From 1968-2000, the magazine concentrated on promoting nature conservation, sustainable management of natural resources and the development of a multidisciplinary approach to environmental issues. Since 2001, the magazine has progressively introduced new themes such as landscape and cultural heritage in a perspective of sustainable territorial development and enhancement of the quality of life. The magazine is published in the two offi cial languages of the Organisation (English and French). In order to receive Futuropa or to obtain further information on the Council of Europe, please consult the website on http://www.coe.int/futuropa. Next issue: Landscape and transfrontier cooperation

ISSN 1998-1457

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