The 9 th International Conference “ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING” 22–23 May 2014, Vilnius, Lithuania SELECTED PAPERS eISSN 2029-7092 / eISBN 978-609-457-640-9 Available online at http://enviro.vgtu.lt Corresponding author: Eglė Šiožinytė. E-mail address: egle.siozinyte@dok.vgtu.lt http://dx.doi.org/10.3846/enviro.2014.135 © 2014 The Authors. Published by VGTU Press. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Section: Sustainable Urban Development Sustainable development of Lithuanian vernacular architecture Eglė Šiožinytė, Jurgita Antuchevičienė Department of Construction Technology and Management, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania Abstract Old vernacular architecture naturally embodies principles of sustainable development such as close relation with nature, healthy environment; building materials are mostly local, natural, from renewable sources. However, nowadays, old vernacular buildings do not satisfy some of the norms for a contemporary building. To ensure quality of living environment and satisfying building norms/requirements, the old structures should be renewed. When considering new buildings based on features of vernacular architecture, they also should meet current building norms. Accordingly, in many cases development of vernacular architecture meets with difficulties when trying to find the balance between tradition continuity and contemporary norms, especially when natural development was stopped and refreshed after few decades. The problem under consideration is illustrated by examples of development of vernacular buildings in the territory of Lithuania. Existing situation was analyzed and four possible ways/directions of vernacular architecture development have been recognized. The aim of the research was to reveal these ways/directions through sustainable development and tradition continuity aspect and to find their advantages and disadvantages using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis. Based on the comprehensive analysis, research conclusions and recommendations as concerns sustainable development of Lithuanian vernacular architecture have been formulated. Keywords: venacular building; vernacular architecture; sustainable development; sustainable living environment; SWOT. 1. Introduction Vernacular architecture is an architectural heritage and it should be preserved or developedin the proper way.This is important aim due vernacular architecture’s significance role as being legacy for future generations and reflection ofthe last centuries. Also, it is important for creating country’s architectural identity.Then the question arises, what is the proper way/direction for developingthis architecture? Several stages when searching the right way of architecture’s development should be performed: 1) identification of vernacular architecture’s importance and position in country’s architectural and historical context; 2) answering the questions related with intention to find the way/direction for architecture’s development, e.g. conservation, re-use, upgrading, demolishing; 3) identification of development possibilities; 4) analysis; 5) decision making; 6) implementation. These stages should be accomplished carefully due to vernacular architecture’s importance. Some researchers analyzed rural buildings’ development through re-using, preservation, conservation, regeneration, etc., aspects.When searching rational solutions for rural buildings’ development they applied multiple criteria approach for analysis[1–4]. Multiple criteria approach is helpful for solving strategic questions for buildings’ development. Other researchers investigate rural buildings in energy efficiency, ecology aspects [5–6]; solve problems related with comfort [7– 8]; building’s external appearance [9]. Different aspects researched separatelyare helpful for improving development of buildings. This paper analyses the development ofLithuanian vernacular architecture that is quite problematic. Natural development of this architecture was stopped and was refreshed after few decades. It is noticed that thedevelopment of Lithuanian architecture is chaotic today. Researchers specify the reasons that hinder the normal development of Lithuanian vernacular architecture as well as endanger the cultural and architectural identities. According to the researchers there are difficulties associated with architects’ ignorance; contempt for ethnic culture and old traditions; disfavor on ethnic culture recovery from various institutions; public indifference to traditional ethnic culture; demographic and social problem; superficial attitude from polity; insufficient attention from academic community [10–11].