What is vernacular architecture.
Vernacular architecture is way of building homes using sustainable and locally available eco-friendly materials. this kind of architecture does not consume lot of natural resources and majority of the cost goes to the artisans and labors.
Why Vernacular architecture.
In the current construction industry, most of the input cost goes to raw material and very lesser cost goes to the human resources and artisans. Major raw materials like cement and steel used for the construction are one of the major contributors to global warming and pollutions. Using of modern-day construction material does not create a circular economy money spent on raw materials goes to corporates which will not help the economy to grow and sustain.
By living in the homes build with today’s modern technology and materials is having a serious impact on the human health. Today most home generates lot of indoor pollutions which can cause health problems in children and adults.
Where to start on vernacular building.
You can all way’s start with small changes, try to minimize use of the material which are not environmentally friendly and also minimize the need for bigger and closed homes. Start by choosing the Adobe and kiln Baked bricks for walls. For Doors and windows try to use reclaimed wood. Avoid cement and steel as much as possible. Replace cement with lime mortar. for roofing go for the older time-tested roofing techniques flat mud roof, Lime Crete roof, Madras Terrace roof, Adobe Roof. This kind of roofing techniques and materials does not leave any waste when the house is demolished.
Vernacular Building and people living in this kind of houses should be responsible for the waste generated in the form of sewage and garbage. For the wastewater generated from kitchen, bathroom and laundry called as grey water this can be treated through a reed bed water filtration system after removing the oil in the water using carbon filter. water coming out of the reed bed system is safe for gardening and trees. For the black water coming from the humane waste and toilets we can install a Bio-Digester tank with the anaerobic bacteria the black water is broken down in various stages and the water coming out of the bio-digester can be passed through the reed bed system for next level of filtration and finally can be used for garden purpose.
For more information on natural buildings and vernacular architecture we can check out the following organizations in India.
For information on grey water, sewage water treatment and bio-digester please visit the websites
https://www.makbioprojects.com/10users-bio-septictank.html
https://www.aanandaa.com/post/2011/09/09/grey-water-management-using-reed-beds
Sustainable to Regenerative Living 