Thesis researches the profound and enduring relationship between people, landscape, and material culture in the Slovenian karst. Through a review of karst geological shaping of landscape an culture it researches patterns, building techniques and social structures, form the formation of “kaštelirji” untill the early 20th century. The study reveals a deep building tradition, formed by pragmatic material logic, tectonic honesty and circular relationship with the landscape.
Using the theory of the Four elements of architecture by Gottfried Semper and the connection between “Zweck” (purpose), “Stoff” (material) and “technik” (technique) as a foundation, the thesis reevaluates the stone building culture of karst, not only as an archaic relic, but as a sophisticated example of a complex building tradition. In the context of current climate crisis, the thesis critically assesses, stone’s sustainability potential through the framework of “where, how and with whom”, which builds a foundation for revitalisation of the local stone building culture.
Integrating karst’s stone mansonry tradition, inovation and circular material pathways, the thesis forms an answer. A prototype, which connects industry and culture with the aim of spreading the knowledge of this almost forgotten millenia-old tradition. The architecture of this prototype explores how far can stone can be taken as a building material, its potential for sustainability and reuse and how can we responsibly build with it.
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