Earthen heritage in Chile and Abruzzo: Understanding, documenting, valorising vernacular architecture

The study aimed to define a methodology for the understanding of earthen vernacular heritage of northern Chile and Abruzzo, Italy, through a comparative analysis which has the goal to promote an active proposal for its regeneration. The work stands out for its innovative scope by proposing a theoretical and cultural investigation on the study of constructive, decorative and earthquakeresistant features of earthen heritage, which has never been addressed in detail and in a thorough manner and holds a vital significance for Chile and Abruzzo. The research in Chile involved the engagement, through workshops, of local communities in the revival of the traditional decorations of earthen houses. This initiative offered interesting scientific results for the valorisation of the fragile earthen heritage rooted in the collective memory. As a consequence, this study established an international research collaboration between La Sapienza University and the University of Chile, with a specific agreement that addresses conservation strategies of earthen vernacular heritage, design, analysis and survey and documentation and dissemination of tangible and intangible values.