Conference on Vernacular Architecture

Experts from Spain, Guatemala and Cuba attended the 8th conference on this issue, which concluded Thursday in Old Havana.

This conference was first organized in 2004.

The renowned Cuban architect Daniel Taboada termed as very positive the recently-concluded conference on vernacular architecture sponsored by the Havana City Historian´s office and the Diego de Sagredo Foundation from Spain.

Taboada, head of the Gonzalo de Cardenas Department Vernacular Architecture Department of the Diego de Sagredo Foundation in Havana, Cuba, highlighted the mutually beneficial discussion between participants from the island and worldwide.

Most important is the promotion of works presented, the expert stated after emphasizing the participation over the last seven years of professionals from Guatemala, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, the United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia and Venezuela.

Questioned about elements that distinguish or define Cuban vernacular architecture, Taboada stated that the example that clears all doubts is the "bohio campesino" (peasant thatched-roof hut).

That is the most typical and beautiful vernacular architecture par excellence, also included is the tiled-roof wooden house, present since the 17th century until 19th century, he noted.

Those types of buildings include houses for curing tobacco leaves, seen in the western province of Pinar del Rio, which Taboada metaphorically compared with an Egyptian pyramid.

According to the architect, several organizations and international institutions such as UNESCO have had to change their ideas about the vernacular architecture to admit the use of industrial construction materials as part of the culture of a people or region.