VITRA design museum: learning from the vernacular

VITRA design museum’s learning from the vernacular exhibition
image © deidi von schaewen
all images courtesy of VITRA design museum

‘learning from the vernacular at the VITRA design museum  is dedicated to displaying the importance of traditional building techniques and the possibilities they offer for sustainable construction. the show is curated by pierre frey, professor at the EPFL on and is on now until september 29th. the collection is comprised of 40 models from the école polytechnique fédérale de lausanne (EPFL) that display different types of architecture, materials, construction methods and forms. locally responsive structures are presented through a variety of different media – films, photographs and plans, which address the social and architectural challenges of various regions. the exhibition of 1:20 scale indigenous huts made from wood, mud or stone, reflect their surrounding environment, climate and available building materials. ‘learning from the vernacular’ focuses on the social functions and benefits of architecture that is handed down from generation to generation, outside of a globalized commercial market.

traditional architecture from countries all across the world is featured in the exhibition
image © deidi von schaewen

traditional architecture from countries such as south africa, egypt, china, malaysia and cameroon are featured in the exhibition. the work of architect carin smuts from townships in south africa and the well known bamboo structures designed by colombian architect simon velez is also on display. often a collaboration between craftsmen and architects, the resource efficient structures have evolved over time to suit their existing context. ‘learning from the vernacular’ offers visitors a chance to discover well practiced, energy-neutral options for sustainable living.

the exhibition displays 40 models of different types of indigenous architecture
image © deidi von schaewen

the designs address the social and architectural challenges of various regions
image © deidi von schaewen

photo of one of the buildings on display, palmyra house by studio mumbai
image © helene binet

taberma tata, togo
image © deidi von schaewen

cartagena kathedrale, kolumbien, by simón vélez
image © velez

kassena plot burkina faso
image © deidi von schaewen

shown inside the buckminster fuller dome at the VITRA design museum people are welcomed already by an exhibition of large format posters depicting examples of vernacular architecture which have been photographed by deidi von schaewen
image © deidi von schaewen

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