Re-exploring Vernacular Architecture from The Lens of Regenerative Thinking: A Case Study Gharb Sohail Village in Egypt

Abstract

Vernacular architecture has always been a source of inspiration for architects worldwide. It has offered meaningful solutions to many contemporary global challenges. On the other hand, the notion of sustainability is undergoing a paradigm shift towards regenerative sustainability, which has gained considerable interest in the last decade among academics, architects, and building professionals due to its holistic, integrated, and creative approach to real-world sustainability practices. Accordingly, the study attempts to answer the question of how far vernacular architecture has applied regenerative sustainability principles. So, the research aims to investigate the manifestations of regenerative thinking within the selected case study, focusing on the principle of whole-systems design integration. The research adopted a qualitative methodology that began with a thorough literature review to explore the distinction between regenerative sustainability and the conventional concept. In the analytical part, Gharb Sohail village was selected as a case study of vernacular architecture in Egypt to be analyzed from the perspective of regenerative sustainability. The findings revealed that vernacular architecture applied regenerative thinking significantly through its integration with the entire system because it is created by and for the context in which it is built and is considered a part of the ecosystem. The study makes a profound contribution by deeply exploring regenerative sustainability applications within the built environment and by offering affordable design techniques that help architects and urban planners, particularly in developing countries, create a resilient and regenerative built environment while conserving their cultural, social, and economic particularities.