SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPT IN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE. THE PHLEGRAEAN HOMESTEAD SYSTEM.

Maria Falcone1

1 University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Department of Architecture, via Monteoliveto 3, maria.falcone@unina.it

ABSTRACT

The Phlegraean Fields area is characterized by a complex geomorphological and cultural identity, in which the rural heritage blends with the surrounding landscape and become strategic elements for a possible enhancement and sustainable development project.

Knowledge and protection of Phlegraean homestead system become a preliminary actions for cultural and social regeneration that stimulates entrepreneurial initiatives related to historical vocations of the place.

Moreover, the analysis of historical materials and construction techniques used becomes a fundamental lesson of environmental friendliness, durability and sustainability in the way of building, arising from the local construction tradition and the secular codification in the use of materials more easily available on-site.

The potentialities of traditional materials, such as pozzolana, lime, tuff, beaten lapillus, and techniques have been too often forgotten for the benefit of innovative techniques which are frequently invasive, materially incompatible or not sufficiently tested and documented.

Therefore, the environmental context analysis, supported by an extensive surveys campaign and cataloging carried out over the last few years in the agricultural Phleagraean hinterland, can become a way to identify the appropriate methodological guidelines for a correct approach to conservation, restoration and enhancement of the rural traditional heritage, necessary prologue for the protection and sustainable development of the agricultural landscape.

Parole chiave/Key-words: rural architecture, agrarian landscape, conservation, sustainability, homestead.