Influence of Environmental Agents in Architecture. Tradition and Innovation. Romania: A Case Study

Abstract

Geographically, Romania is situated in the continental temperate zone of Europe, with severe climatic conditions: the winters are very cold (with temperatures that can reach, in some provinces or in some days, values of -200C to –350C) and the summers very hot (in the past few years temperatures were between +38 - +400C, for weeks). Not only the air temperature gradient is broad (75 ÷ 800C), but as a consequence the temperature difference on the horizontal surfaces may rise to as much as 1000C. Romania is situated between parallels 430 and 480. In a very simple/simplistic approach, it can be considered as being half way between the North Pole and the Equator, therefore the constructive components can be identified in both the Northern architecture and the Southern one. The traditional architecture aims to provide a comfortable indoor environment both during the winter and the summer season, by using local building materials. Along with the building conformation, given by the local conditions (climate, earth, building materials), the peoples interventions (from religion to fashion) are also determinant. The paper presents some building principles, constructive systems and materials that transcend traditional architecture, in Romania.