Vernacular

Buildings shaped by the people who use them.

Built by hand

Vernacular architecture is building without architects: homes, sheds and shelters made by the people who use them, out of whatever the place provides. As someone who designs buildings for a living, I find these humbling.

Houses on stilts above water in Cambodia, Alaska Native cabins dug into the hillside, a doorway carved out of stone. Each one solves a real problem with local materials and common sense. No plan check required.