Would our ancestors have used chainsaws to build houses?

When I used to work at the Open Air Museum, I often dealt with the term "vernacular architecture". Behind the complex word is a simple content - self-created folk architecture, i.e. buildings and structures that do not have an architect. For example, we can cite all self-built residential houses, barns, saunas, as well as summer kitchens, bunkers and sheds familiar from modern times. Drawing parallels with the plant world, such architecture could be considered a weed that arises and disappears spontaneously.

First of all, because they are born from people's long-term needs, (nature) experiences and opportunities. The peasant wisdom stored in these buildings is not to be despised. Have you noticed that old houses are cool in the hot summer? That huge (threshing) stoves keep the room warm in log buildings with poor air tightness? That the dwellings were built on the sunny side? That a long eave casts a shadow at noon, but lets sunlight into the room in the evening?
Old architecture is smart.

Reed gutters awaiting installation. To make a thatched roof, special tools are needed, for example, a roof clipper, roof hooks, scissors, a knife.

I consider the Põhjala pavilions to be an excellent example of folk architecture. We have created them by working together with the community, using old techniques and traditional materials and keeping sustainability in mind. Our shelters exude warmth and friendliness and make the urban factory environment human-scaled and friendly. They welcome our guests, their textures are interesting to observe. You can hide under them. They are for people and they are made by people.

That's not all. The construction sector is extremely energy-intensive - it consumes 50% of natural resources, 45% of energy and 70% of wood.

Therefore, it is more important than ever when building new buildings to find solutions that relate to our nature and the surrounding environment in the best possible way. No, you don't have to build new "old" farmhouses, because even the old Sass and Juhans would have used a Husqvarna chainsaw instead of an ax and a push-pull saw when building a house or a forest. what to take from your own hands.

It's that simple. Let's be proud to be "countrymen".

The post was written by Liis Serk, leader of Põhjala Tehas NGO.

The Natural Construction Festival is coming soon, which will take place July 30th - August 1st in Koordi, Tartu and Mooste. Additional information and program https://hobukoolipark.ee/loodus/loodusehituskoolitused