Vernacular Architecture In Cusco

Vernacular architecture in Cusco

Architecture has demonstrated over the years to be a science of study, criticism, analysis and imperative design for the development of society, since it adapts its environment adapting to the contemporary needs of this. For this same reason, the importance of its historical study and an analysis of how certain factors of the past influenced the current condition of architecture is emphasized. One of the most prominent development stages of this is the so -called vernacular architecture. According to Tileria Gonzales in her book: “Architecture without architects, some reflections on vernacular architecture."Define vernacular architecture:

“[…] A way of building whose genesis is the time when man creates his habitat, he does not respond to styles, he does not represent times, he does not need architects, they are the ones who inhabit them in charge of modeling them, he has been there, witness of The culture of men ".

In addition, according to Francisco Javier Hernández Ayón in his book: “Towards a theory of vernacular architecture.”It gives vernacular architecture certain characteristics:

“The raw material of architecture, that is, the art of building the concept of truth is relevant here, an appropriate appreciation or function, of the hierarchy of these, of their motives and humility, of its ability to service. Serve and not presume, here the contemporary problem focuses."

Various places in the world are different stages of history have been submitted to these conditions.

From the need of sedentary man in building a home with rocks and trunks to settle to the constructions of the Iglús by the Inuit community in Greenland and Canada using ice bricks for its construction. As well as these examples in Peru, prominent cases of vernacular architecture have been observed. Our country is considered a diverse country and one with the greatest amount of climates in the world. Considering the Kappen scale, Peru has 8 of the 11 existing climates.

This is a rich country not only in the weather, it also stands out in environmental conditions, such as land type, height above sea level, among others. Each region of the country has specific conditions rooted to these variables. One of the most prominent cases in our history goes back to the Inca Empire. This stage can be considered one of the pinnacles of the development of vernacular architecture in the history of our country. The Tahuantinsuyo had a vast extension in different countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and the most prominent Peru, from which we will take into account the Cusco region, the capital of the Empire and where we can observe the most prominent cases of architecture vernacular.

One of these is the case of Ollantaytambo, according to Garcilaso de la Vega in "Book V" describes Ollantaytambo as:

“[…] That valley argues in excellence to all those in Peru, so all reey Incas […] had it in the garden and place of their delights and recreation where they were going to encourage the load and grief that The reign has with it […] The very amenstical site, of fresh and soft, of beautiful, perpetual temperance, of time without cold or heat, without flies or mosquitoes or other sabandijas people."

This is located at 2700 meters above sea level and as mentioned above was an urban and current tourist attraction center. According to Jean Pierre Protzen in his publication: "Inca architecture and construction in Ollantaytambo" also argues that:

“Ollantaytambo offers a complete panorama of the Inca construction program. All elements are represented there, roads and bridges, platforms and irrigation systems, bastion deposits, a settlement, religious structures. In addition, all these elements seem to be connected to each other on a surprisingly coherent level, so it is an ideal place for the study of the planning and design practices of the Incas."

What stands out from Ollantaytambo on vernacular architecture is the construction system and materiality used in the elaboration and construction of the aforementioned mentioned. The constructive system of the Incas was very clear, as Burga explains, J in its publication ‘Peruvian vernacular architecture. A typological analysis ’:

“[…] Very thick stone walls that decrease its section as they ascend; Very pointed triangular tiles, with cylindrical heads that stand out to tie the wooden beams, on them a watches network is placed that serve as the basis to tie the straw with which […] ”

As Burga mentions previously and reaffirms Jean Pierre Protzen in his book: "Incas architecture and construction in Ollantaytambo",

[…] The repertoire of the construction materials used by the Inca builders was limited and easily accessible: stone, earth, wood and plant fibers. The stones were extracted from quarries or carrying from the fields and/or the banks of the rivers, they were used in the construction of walls. Wood trunks were used in the construction of lintels and supporting floors. To cover the roofs […] the leaves of the grass plants such as the Ichu […] ”were used

Given the aforementioned, it can be observed as the inhabitants of the Inca Empire with limited materials, but easy accessibility due to land conditions by generating empirical knowledge, that is, based on observation and the senses of a lived experience, they could use The materials used above, generate a specific and functional construction system. This occurred so effectively that it served to generate roads, bridges, irrigation systems, stores and homes present in the place.

In conclusion, it can be affirmed that the importance of vernacular architecture is the authentic strength of rationality, nothing is free in vernacular architecture everything is strictly necessary. It is an approach both architecture and the traditional city is sustainable and resilient have endured for centuries and there are for everyone’s wonder. In addition, there is no doubt that in the global world in which we live they are a guarantee of identity of an identity we grab , compression and respect their consideration by the environment and their sensitivity for specific climatic conditions, as well as the skills to enlarge the available resources. It gives us invaluable lessons for contemporary architecture.

Bibliography

• Burga Bartra, J. (2010). Peruvian vernacula architecture. A typological analysis. COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTS OF PERU. 1st edition. Free People, Lima, Peru.
• Protzen, j. (2005). INCAS ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION IN OLLANTAYTAMBO. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.1st edition. Lima Peru.
• Tillería González, J. (2017). Architecture without architects, some reflections on vernacular architecture. Universidad Austral de Chile. 2nd edition. Chili.