Neo-Vernacular Architecture: A Pragmatic Path to Sustainability.

Rapid urbanization and environmental degradation in the built environment call for a transition to sustainable architectural techniques. Neo-vernacular architecture offers a practical answer by combining traditional architectural knowledge with cutting-edge technology to develop climate-responsive, resource-efficient, and culturally relevant designs. This study investigates the possibility of Neo-vernacular architecture as a sustainable design approach that emphasizes local materials, passive methods, and community involvement. It analyzes the works of Pritzker Prize--winning architects Alejandro Aravena, Diébédo Francis Kéré, and B.V. Doshi to see how Neo-vernacular principles contribute to ecological resilience, affordability, and social inclusivity. Their projects, which include Aranya Low-Cost Housing in India, Villa Verde in Chile, and Gando Primary School in Burkina Faso, demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique in a variety of climatic, social, and economic settings. The study focuses on how these architects use indigenous building techniques, low-impact materials, and participatory processes to promote sustainable growth while maintaining cultural identity. Despite obstacles such as legal restraints, material limitations, and opposition to change, Neo-vernacular architecture remains an essential road to sustainability. It balances environmental, economic, social, and cultural factors, providing a more comprehensive alternative to traditional architectural approaches. This study proposes a renewed emphasis on contextual flexibility, legislative reforms, and education to encourage wider adoption of Neo-vernacular principles. By adopting this approach, architecture may go beyond superficial sustainability criteria and make a significant contribution to resilient, equitable, and long-lasting built environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]