Today a trend is emerging that defies the hegemony of new technologies, of the digital and the mechanical, but rather opts for the essential. We are talking about low-tech architecture. This architectural credo favours the conscious use of minimal and local resources, the use of traditional craftsmanship and minimal alteration of the environment.
Values of low-tech architecture
This philosophical architecture, unobtrusive but compelling, seeks to reduce conventional reliance on complex technological systems in response to current ecological and social challenges. Two of its resources or practices are, for example:
–Strategic windows and courtyards: these elements are intended to maximise light entry and natural ventilation, and consequently eliminate electrical systems.
–Rammed earth: this traditional construction method gives very durable results in walls, which also regulate the temperature in an efficient and sustainable way.
As we can see, sustainability, durability and harmony with the natural environment are fundamental values of low-tech architecture. After all, simplicity is not only beautiful, it is also often practical.
Process as part of low-tech architecture
But it is not only the material results themselves that are part of low-tech architecture. No, it goes beyond that, for the process itself is an inseparable part of it. Architects such as Francis Kéré and Anna Heringer exemplify this philosophy:
-In Burkina Faso, Francis Kéré transforms local clay into beautiful and functional schools and public spaces. His projects combine ingenuity, humility and a deep respect for indigenous materials.
GandoIT CC BY-SA 3.0
-Anna Heringer, on the other hand, draws artistic results from bamboo that are deeply respectful of this ancient material. Structural sophistication and environmental compatibility are hallmarks of her craft.
Naquib Hossain CC BY-SA 2.0
Both architects show that low-tech architecture is not a limitation, but an opportunity to reinvent construction with traditional materials and methods in a contemporary context.
Low-tech architecture, an opportunity in the face of the climate crisis
In a world where urbanisation is advancing rapidly and construction generates about 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions, low-tech architecture is more than an option, it is a necessity. The low-tech architect is now a mediator between humanity and nature, and prioritises sustainable, durable and resilient solutions.
By Manolo Barberá, Senior Hydraulic Modeller at Amusement Logic’s Architecture Dept.
