Nonconventional and Vernacular Construction Materials

Nonconventional and Vernacular Construction Materials (Second Edition)

Characterisation, Properties and Applications
Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering
2020, Pages 101-129
Nonconventional and Vernacular Construction Materials

5 - Integrating vernacular experience for teaching nonconventional and vernacular materials

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102704-2.00005-6Get rights and content

Abstract

In response to global climate change and resource limitations, nonconventional and vernacular, materials, or NOCMAT, are emerging as means to drive sustainable construction. Historically, vernacular materials derive from local customs and practices, rather than through formal scientific methodology, and despite being classified as “nonconventional”, they nevertheless constitute the majority of the built environment worldwide. When viewed not only as physical material, but also as integral to culture and communities, NOCMAT also have the potential to advance social equity and justice, so long as research, development, and education efforts are participatory and respectful of local conditions, rather than exploitative, paternalistic, or homogenizing. By understanding NOCMAT as a manifestation of Appropriate Technology, and drawing upon the literature from Engineering Education, recommendations are made for integrating NOCMAT into the engineering curriculum, ultimately arguing that the best approach requires some component of deep vernacular experience.

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