Material Culture, Traditional Architecture and Innovative Bioregional Products

Editore: FedOA - Federico II University Press

Series: Miscellaneous

Pages: 196

Language: Italian

Abstract: Material Culture, Traditional Architecture and Innovative Bioregional Products address the theme of sustainability in architecture through a critical reflection on the relationship between territory, materials, and construction processes. Edited by Paola De Joanna and Dora Francese, the volume advocates overcoming building models based on the indiscriminate consumption of resources, instead promoting local supply chains, bioregional materials, and the recovery of traditional knowledge. The first part of the book examines the raw materials available in the Campania region—such as hemp, wool, giant reed, and stone materials—highlighting their environmental, technological, and cultural potential. Architecture is interpreted not only as a technical practice but also as a means of restoring balance between human beings, ecosystems, and landscapes. Central to the discussion is the concept of the bioregion, understood as a territorial system in which resources, culture, and local communities are deeply interconnected. The text also explores criteria for the ecosystem-based assessment of materials and proposes a certification protocol for innovative and sustainable building products, based on environmental, social, and cultural indicators. The second part focuses on the reuse of agricultural waste and the application of low-carbon materials in seismic-resistant construction and energy retrofit interventions. Agricultural by-products are thus redefined as valuable resources capable of generating new circular economies and local production chains. Through case studies and experimental applications, the volume demonstrates how technological innovation and tradition can be integrated to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector, improve building energy performance, and strengthen local identity. The book therefore represents both a theoretical and practical contribution toward a more responsible, resilient, and place-based culture of building.