Madagascar's diverse geography has given rise to a range of different architectural styles, including these village houses in the central highlands.
Madagascar —
Madagascar's diverse geography has given rise to a range of different architectural styles, including these village houses in the central highlands.
©Bernd Bieder/imageBROKER/Superstock
This royal building in Nyanza, Rwanda was created using techniques similar to those used by the region's basket weavers.
Rwanda —
This royal building in Nyanza, Rwanda was created using techniques similar to those used by the region's basket weavers.
©Photononstop/Superstock
Though they date back more 7,000 years, Arab construction techniques using date palms are still in use in today.
United Arab Emirates —
Though they date back more 7,000 years, Arab construction techniques using date palms are still in use in today.
© Dr Sandra Piesik
An Amazonian roof woven from palm and secured by vines in Ecuador.
Ecuador —
An Amazonian roof woven from palm and secured by vines in Ecuador.
©Laura Rival
The wood-and-stone fronts of this colonial-era buildings in Malacca, Malaysia express the region's diverse cultural influences.
Malaysia —
The wood-and-stone fronts of this colonial-era buildings in Malacca, Malaysia express the region's diverse cultural influences.
©SvetlanaSF/Shutterstock.com
Overhanging roofs in the village of the Wenohian, Ghana, are made from local materials.
Ghana —
Overhanging roofs in the village of the Wenohian, Ghana, are made from local materials.
©age fotostock/Superstock
Traditional houses on the Indonesian island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia. This photo was taken before the thatch is added to the exterior, offering a look at the building's bamboo structure.
Indonesia —
Traditional houses on the Indonesian island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia. This photo was taken before the thatch is added to the exterior, offering a look at the building's bamboo structure.
Justin Coupertino Umbu, January 2014
Local materials -- such as those used in the Juna Mahal Palace in Rajasthan -- can reflect a culture's identity and traditions.
India —
Local materials -- such as those used in the Juna Mahal Palace in Rajasthan -- can reflect a culture's identity and traditions.
©Robert Harding/superstock
Traditional "beehive" Zulu homes are made from varieties of dried grass. The materials shrink in the summer, creating small gaps and allowing cooling air to pass through the structure.
South Africa —
Traditional "beehive" Zulu homes are made from varieties of dried grass. The materials shrink in the summer, creating small gaps and allowing cooling air to pass through the structure.
©Photononstop/superstock
Carved into the hillside, cave houses in rural China are designed to remain cool in the summer.
China —
Carved into the hillside, cave houses in rural China are designed to remain cool in the summer.
Zengzong Ma
Circular tulou buildings are designed to offer protection from the monsoon rains of southern China.
China —
Circular tulou buildings are designed to offer protection from the monsoon rains of southern China.
Yuanhang Luo
Japan's minka houses feature steep thatched roofs and projecting eaves. Found throughout the country, the exact style of minka buildings depends on the local climate and the status of their owner.
Japan —
Japan's minka houses feature steep thatched roofs and projecting eaves. Found throughout the country, the exact style of minka buildings depends on the local climate and the status of their owner.
Professor Don Choi
Roof joints of minka houses are constructing using dense arrangements of natural chords made from materials like vine, straw and bark.
Japan —
Roof joints of minka houses are constructing using dense arrangements of natural chords made from materials like vine, straw and bark.
Courtesy Professor Don Choi
In a modern example of vernacular architecture, architect Driss Kettani found ways to incorporate the ancient architectural traditions of Morocco into his designs for the Technology School of Guelmim. Large north-facing windows (and small south-facing ones) reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the school, while ensuring that classrooms get enough natural light.
Morocco —
In a modern example of vernacular architecture, architect Driss Kettani found ways to incorporate the ancient architectural traditions of Morocco into his designs for the Technology School of Guelmim. Large north-facing windows (and small south-facing ones) reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the school, while ensuring that classrooms get enough natural light.
Photography Fernando Guerra -- FG+SG
The Enterprise Centre, a campus building at the University of East Anglia, was designed using a variety of materials sourced and tested fewer than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the site.
United Kingdom —
The Enterprise Centre, a campus building at the University of East Anglia, was designed using a variety of materials sourced and tested fewer than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the site.
Darren Carter, Morgan Sindall
Found in China's Qinghai province,the Jianamani Visitor Center uses a type of rock used to make Mani stones -- sacred items in Tibetan Buddhism.
China —
Found in China's Qinghai province,the Jianamani Visitor Center uses a type of rock used to make Mani stones -- sacred items in Tibetan Buddhism.
© Li Brian Zhang
<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthamesandhudson.com%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fview%2Fid%2F4513%2Fs%2Fhabitat-9780500343241%2Fcategory%2F2%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Planet"</a> by Sandra Piesik, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now. <br /><br /><br />Featuring dozens of case studies from five climate zones, "Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Planet" aims to highlight lessons that can be learned from traditional forms of architecture.
"Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Planet" by Sandra Piesik, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now.


Featuring dozens of case studies from five climate zones, "Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Planet" aims to highlight lessons that can be learned from traditional forms of architecture.
Thames & Hudson