Self-building and craftsmanship construction techniques to restore the domestic dimension in vernacular architecture

Vernacular architecture embodies the synergy between material culture, local resources, and traditional construction knowledge. Biocompatible materials and adaptive techniques offer sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, yet the decline of artisanal practices has weakened communities’ autonomy in shaping their built environment. Reviving historical techniques through participatory self-building restores the domestic scale in vernacular architecture while promoting sustainability. Reclaiming the domestic dimension is essential not only for social cohesion and cultural identity but also for integrating circular economy principles, particularly in food conservation. Vernacular dwellings historically incorporated passive climate control systems ensuring food preservation without energy-intensive technologies. This paper explores the role of self-building as a tool to reactivate the domestic dimension in vernacular spaces, emphasizing the significance of traditional craftsmanship in designing resilient and contextually integrated living environments. The study focuses on two case studies ੾Phey village in Ladakh, India, and Shangping Village in the Fujian Province of China ੾where the transmission of construction knowledge and the use of indigenous materials enabled the development of buildings in harmony with the context to reduce the ecological footprint of buildings but also enhance the efficiency of food storage systems in alignment with sustainability principles.