CONTEXT 178 : DECEMBER 2023 11 BUILDINGS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE referring to traditionally constructed buildings when he wrote that ‘nearly everything that encloses space on a scale sufficient for a human being to move in is a building; the term architecture applies only to buildings designed with a view to aesthetic appeal’.² It was the American writer and architect Bernard Rudofsky (1905–1988) who first promoted the great value of vernacular buildings on the international stage, in terms of their artistic and cultural richness, and functional importance.³ Today vernacular architecture is recognised as an important part of our heritage by international conventions, national laws, policies, standards and guidance. But is it understood by construction specialists or the owners of such buildings? The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)⁴ succinctly describes the importance of our vernacular heritage: ‘The built vernacular heritage occupies a central place in the affection and pride of all peoples. It has been accepted as a characteristic and attractive product of society. It appears informal, but nevertheless orderly. It is utilitarian and at the same time possesses interest and beauty. It is a focus of contemporary life and at the same time a record of the history of society. Although it is the work of man it is A slate cottage in Grasmere (Photo: Alexandra Fairclough) A thatched cottage near Steventon, Wiltshire (Photo: David Waites) ² Pevsner, N (1943) An Outline of European Architecture, Thames and Hudson ³ Rudofsky, B (1964) Architecture without Architects, Doubleday ⁴ Founded in 1965 following the Venice Charter 1964, ICOMOS offers advice to Unesco regarding world heritage sites ⁵ Introduction to the ICOMOS Charter on the Built Vernacular Heritage (1999) ⁶ Historic England (2008) Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance A bank barn in the Westmorland Dales (Photo: Alexandra Fairclough) also the creation of time. It would be unworthy of the heritage of man if care were not taken to conserve these traditional harmonies which constitute the core of man’s own existence’.⁵ One of the essential tools in the UK heritage specialist’s knowledge toolkit is a thorough understanding of the history of our built heritage, including both polite and vernacular buildings. That equates to at least 1,000 years of building. Vernacular buildings are the most varied, all of them being different, which makes understanding them a little more difficult. They provide information about the living conditions, local traditions, skills and customs of our ancestors. They are a tangible link to our historical interaction with the land and its materials, demonstrating a record of traditional construction techniques and craft skills. This makes them individually important. These elements constitute the heritage values referred to as evidential, historic, aesthetic and communal, which together contribute to significance.⁶ The conservation professional must be able to identify vernacular buildings, and their importance in relation to the locality and the social context in which they were built. They should be able quickly to survey and analyse a building to establish the materials used, the form of construction, its condition, and any maintenance
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