A STUDY ON CRAFTSMANSHIP OF VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF SARDINIA

Until 1960 adobe construction and stone construction were the most frequently used techniques in Sardinia, but at the present time the quality of adobe has deteriorated considerably, because traditional know-how has been forgotten or is lacking. The aim of this paper is to study the traditional craftsmen involved in the manufacturing processes of building materials of vernacular earthen architecture in the region of Campidano (Sardinia). Its content has been derived from an analysis of the information gathered whilst directly interviewing masons, tile-makers, stonemasons and other craftsmen by the author. The objective of this article is to promote awareness among owners and legislation about the state of abandonment and neglect of these dwellings caused by changes in Sardinian social organization. This has to be understood in order to develop new attitudes and future directions in conservation. Sun-dried clay bricks, locally called ladiri (from the Latin word later, brickwork) were made using thick malleable local mud often with straw added, and sometimes animal dung as a consolidant. They were shaped by hand and put in moulds. Straw was necessary for insulating the building and for bonding the mud lumps together. Bricks usually were parallelepiped and were made on the ground, on a drying surface covered with straw. The mould was filled several times and the soil compressed so as to drive out air. Bricks dimensions commonly were 10x20x40 cm (10 cm deep, 20 cm high and 40 cm long) and outer walls were 40 cm thick. Inner partitions were thinner, being about 20 cm. The houses of wealthy people were built under the supervision of the Maistru de Muru (Sardinian: Master of the Wall), a very experienced and senior mason who was skilled and comfortable with every material involved in the construction process.