Vernacular architecture and furniture of Vâlcea and Sibiu County, Romania in a European context.

The objective of this paper is to address in a critical and synthetic manner Romanian vernacular architecture and traditional furniture in a European context. The studied areas of Europe were selected in order to obtain relevant data and conclusions regarding vernacular concepts which in the near future could be reintegrated and accepted in the contemporary design process of our country. The objectives of the research are clear, measurable and grouped in the following phases: Phase 1 - general considerations on vernacular architecture in European countries; Phase 2 - the analysis of specific manifestations of vernacular architecture and furniture in the selected regions of Europe: Soria Province- Spain, town of Florina – Greece, Vrin – Switzerland, Baranya and Hollókő – Hungary, Rekawinkel – Austria, Vâlcea and Sibiu – Romania. Also the structural, spatial and functional evolution of vernacular housing was analysed along with the utilised construction materials; orientation, proportion of the facade; natural ventilation, shading systems, climate. The descriptions and tables will include features and characteristics of vernacular architecture and furniture for each European region analysed based on the following common criteria: geographic, climatic, topographic, socio-economic, historic - data collection; the identification of the existing vernacular built context and general construction data collection; the identification of architectural typologies (spatial, functional, structural) and the selection of representative examples; in-depth study of the selected examples; formulation of a conclusion