Materials for a Healthy, Ecological and Sustainable Built Environment

11

Palm thatched building in Mexico

Jaime Rios-Calleja,    BUAP, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

Vernacular buildings are often assumed to be more sustainable because they use local and low embodied energy materials. This case study looks at plam thatching in the west coast and highlands of Mexico. Based on extensive site visits and interviews with thatchers, it analyzes the lifecycle embodied energy of a range of small buildings in different locations. The results show that how the materials are used is important for environmental impact, and the buildings that tend to follow vernacular design traditions have lower impacts.

Keywords

Palm thatching; vernacular traditions; embodied energy; ecological footprint; ...