Juniper Structures in Western Mediterranean Vernacular Architecture: Ongoing Research

Abstract

This research highlights the constructive features of Juniperus thurifera timber visible in the Western Mediterranean (from the island of Sardinia to Morocco). The use of this material is above all related to vernacular and traditional architecture, in the coastal areas as well as in the interior of the analyzed countries. An initial taxonomy of its use presents us with the issue of understanding the main structural performance of this type of timber, focusing in particular on its structural use and behavior. The results, visible throughout the research, are related to the resistance of the timber and its performance. On the other hand, this raw material is valued in vernacular architecture because of its strength when exposed to sea water or harsh weather conditions. Juniper beams and pillars are the most frequent solutions, but the use of branches and roots is also common, as the research demonstrates. In this framework, the text underlines the results of the research based on a geographical survey of juniper as a construction material, and on the first attempts to study its mechanical performance.