Housing and production architecture

The vernacular architectures are usually built from schist (the main rock of the region), and usually follow the same functional structure of the manor or noble houses. The ground floors house the production and storage of wine and olive oil, and the upper floor provides for accommodation. As we can see in this case, the vernacular architecture is characterised by the community itself; traditional knowledge of composition and construction which is transmitted informally; an efficient response to functional, social and environmental needs, and the efficient application of traditional building techniques.
Although it is an architecture without architects, the vernacular “has functional qualities and picturesque, ethnographic and even technical values, showing at times perfect adaptation to the places and functions (…)” (ALMEIDA, 1998: 15).