MATERIAL UTILISATION PATTERNS IN HISTORICAL - SOCIAL CONTEXT REGARDING THE RURAL BUILT ENVIRONMENT OF THE SUBCARPATHIAN AREA, ROMANIA

Abstract

Rural vernacular architecture represents an important social-cultural and identity indicator mainly because/due to its lack of an architect; its realisation according to the owner’s aesthetic feel/individuality; its reflection of the social status of the inhabitant; its protean nature, being able to adapt rapidly to the social context and mainly to the cultural progress / development but also to the needs of the owner, sometimes, becoming the creative source concerning parallel functional systems. The study embraces the evolution of the rural homestead starting from the 30s in the 19th century (the first modern systematisation of Romanian villages) until present times. In this research important elements are considered, which constitute strong social-cultural and identity indicators: housing position in relation to the road; house typologies; main façade position in relation to the road and the cardinal points; the structure of the foundation, walls, ceiling and roof. This approach has facilitated the relievence of a series of material utilisation patterns. These are significantly reflected in the rural vernacular architecture of southern Romania, offering a large variety of information regarding the constructive capacity.

Keywords

• rural vernacular architecture
• material utilisation patterns
• historical - social context