According to the United Nations, indigenous people are "place-based" ethnic cultures that have not migrated from their initial homeland. In today's world, with human-caused climate change driving extreme weather events and a growing demand for authenticity and cultural diversity, architects are increasingly turning to indigenous knowledge systems not only as sources of inspiration but as viable solutions to adapt and respond to local and global challenges. As traditional custodians of the land, Indigenous communities possess a profound understanding of their ecosystems, locally available materials, cultural norms, and social constraints. This knowledge holds insights valuable for shaping contemporary architecture, helping it adapt to both the people and their environments.
Vernacular and indigenous practices are emerging as a foundation for architectural reimagining, informing spatial lays, the choice of materials, and building techniques while also allowing for the integration of innovation and contemporary expression. This careful blend of tradition and modernity can have a significant impact in terms of sustainability, as architects who adopt the indigenous approach to harnessing available resources can not only create structures rooted in their context but also minimize the ecological impact of the construction. Additionally, collaborating directly with Indigenous communities leads to projects that prioritize community participation, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable development.
Read on to discover a selection of original ArchDaily articles highlighting indigenous knowledge systems and their impact on current architectural practices.
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Lo-TEK: Reclaiming Indigenous Techniques to Work with Nature
"Architecture is Vital to Native Culture": Sam Olbekson on Indigenous Design and Social Justice
The Painted Houses of Tiébélé: A Model for Communal Collaboration
4 Principles of Designing with Indigenous Communities
Lessons of Troglodyte Living: What Caves Can Teach Us About Sustainable Design
Putucos: What A Indigenous Technique Can Tell Us About Sustainability
Local Materials to Respond to Local Demands
Materials and Construction Techniques of Brazilian Indigenous Peoples as a Future for Architecture
The Use of Indigenous and Locally Sourced Materials in Philippines Architecture
Engineered Timber Helps Indigenous Architecture in North America to Emphasize Resilience
Pioneering the Revival of Earth Architecture: Egypt, France, and India
Local Expertise Versus Local Extraction: African Vernacular Architecture and a More Holistic Sustainability
Projects Developed With and For Indigenous Peoples
70°N arkitektur, Together with Snøhetta and Artist Joar Nango, Designs a National Theater for the Indigenous Sámi People in Norway
First Nations-Led AKIN Team Wins Competition to Transform Sydney’s Waterfront
Dorte Mandrup Wins Design Competition for the Highly Anticipated Inuit Heritage Centre in Northern Canada
UTS to Build Australia’s First Indigenous Residential College
The Nordic Countries Pavilion Brings an Indigenous Sámi Architecture Library to the 2023 Venice Biennale
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 09, 2023, and updated on August 09, 2024.
