干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Traditional Chilean architecture tends to respond to the variety of climates and the seismic conditions. For the first one, Chile extends from the Atacama Desert, known as the driest desert in the world, to Patagonia. Chile has a length of 4,270 k between latitudes 17. and 56. S and it is located on the Nazca plate, being constantly stroke by strong earthquakes, which determined its architectural and urban history.

The traditional architecture of these areas is a good example of the adaption of foreign techniques and forms to its specific context, which constitutes our architectural heritage. For the rehabilitation and conservation process these features should be seen as values to be preserved to the future.

This paper depicts the methodology proposed for heritage architecture and climate studios, which combines assessment and analysis of traditional architecture, from its vernacular condition with the experience and analysis of extreme climate in situ. Student's intervention strategies for proposals need to give special value to these conditions.