Sustainability in cold climates: a vernacular study of Icelandic turf houses

Abstract

This thesis investigates the principles of vernacular architecture in cold climates to inform sustainable design and building practices in the 21st Century. More specifically, the thesis aims at studying the building typology of Icelandic Turf Houses, to develop a series of informed architectural strategies for cold climates, that will support the environmental and culturally sustainable development and transformation of northern built environments. Through literature review and a material and spatial analysis of existing turf houses, this thesis sheds light on three key aspects of a cold climate sustainable architecture: 1) Passive and environmental strategies, ancient and new, as they relate to cold climate conditions; 2) material selection and expression; and 3) its relation to social structures and interactions. Observed principles are then further explored in the project Turf House Complex, a sustainable building complex addressing issues of the climate balanced protected indoor and outdoor spaces, farm to table food sustainability, as well as incorporating strategies of passive systems resulting in a sustainable occupation of the project.