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  Traditional
homes 
around the world
Project made by: Iacob Vlad
Class: a IX-a A
  Throughout history, people have
fabricated shelters that fit their 2
surroundings. With a universal set of
criteria in mind—including access to
tools, availability of materials, and
type of climate—individuals from all
over the world constantly
reinterpret, reimagine, and redefine
the concept of home.
    To many of us, a home is a four-
walled fixture on a permanent
foundation. But to others, it is a
snowy sanctuary, a hidden cave, or
even a floating boat. Have you ever
wondered what traditional houses
around the world look like?Here, we
explore these different types of
houses in order to understand how
and why such a wide range of
shelters exist across the globe.
 1.Rock Houses, Cappadocia, Turkey
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   The Göreme valley of Central Turkey is home to some truly unique rock formations called 

“fairy chimneys”. The result of ancient volcanic eruptions, they resemble tall mushrooms. Over
the years, humans carved into the soft rock creating shelters, houses, and eventually, entire
towns. They have been used by people hiding from wars and persecution.
         2.Pueblo Houses, SouthWestern USA 4

    The traditional homes of the Pueblo Native Americans, Pueblo houses are made of sun-

dried adobe bricks and timber-framed roofs. Their thick walls protect against the heat.
Some of the finest examples of Pueblo houses can be found at Taos Pueblo, which has
been the home of Native Americans for over a thousand years.
 3.Cave Houses, Matmata, Tunisia
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       The ancient cave houses at Matamata in Tunisia were carved out of sandstone around a
central pit. They are connected by a network of passageways and provide protection from
the harsh North African sun and desert winds. The houses are also featured in George
Lucas’s Star Wars films.
 4.Yurts, Central Asia (Mongolia and
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Kyrgyzstan)
      Yurts, or ger, have existed for thousands of years in Central Asia. These portable circular
homes have been used by nomads and are often associated with the nomadic tribes of
Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan. They are among the most unique traditional houses around the
world. Their steeply sloped roofs are traditionally covered with wool felt or animal skins
(modern yurts use canvas) and have a hole to allow smoke to escape.
 5.Mudhif, Iraq
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      These traditional reed houses are made by the Madan people (or Marsh Arabs) of
southern Iraq and Iran. They are traditionally made using reeds from the swamps and
marshes where the Madan people live. Mudhifs are used by the village sheikh solely as a
guest-house or for ceremonial occasions. Other similar smaller structures, such as a raba or
a bayt are residences.
 6.Igloos, North America
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    The famous snow houses are typical of Alaska, Canada, and the Arctic. They’re
intrinsically connected to Inuit history and culture. Though not actually houses, they’re
temporary shelters used by hunters in the winter. Today, they can be still be found
across snowy North American locations.
 7.Turf houses, Iceland
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     The unique Icelandic turf houses can be found across the country. They consist of a
stone foundation and a wooden frame filled with blocks of turf (bricks of grass and dirt
with their roots intact) and evolved in the 9th century due to lack of other building
materials. With one door exposed, it provides excellent insulation against the harsh, cold
climate. Though primarily found in Iceland, they can also be seen in Scotland, Norway,
and Greenland.
 8.Houseboat, Kashmir, India 10

    Houseboats can be found all over the world, perhaps most famously in London and
Amsterdam. They can even be found in Kerala. However, the intricately carved wooden
houseboats of Kashmir are truly unique. Some boats still in use were even built in the
early 1900s. Now mainly used as accommodation for tourists, they vary in size but are
usually decorated fancifully.
 9.Chalets, Western European Alps (Switzerland)
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     The simple wooden chalets were originally built for herders to watch their livestock
in the summers when they grazed on the mountain pastures. Often associated with
Switzerland, they can be found all across the Western European Alps, and are now
identified with skiing holidays.
 10. Trulli, Alberobello, Italy
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    These white-washed limestone huts with stone roofs are found in the rural Italian

region of Apulia, especially in the town Alberobello. Some trulli are even available for
tourists to stay the night. The ancient constructions have been declared a UNESCO
world heritage site.
 11. Hanok - Korea 13

      Hanok style houses are traditional throughout the Korean Peninsula and

noteworthy for their use of locally-sourced natural materials. One of the most
distinguishing features of these homes is the slightly curved roof line that typically runs
longwise when looking toward the entrance. Architects of hanok houses pay special
attention to its placement within the natural surroundings. For example, a hanok should
always be built with a mountain at the back and a river in the front.
 12.Izba - Russia 14

     The most traditional housing type that can be found throughout the rural areas
of Russia is the izba. These logs are typically cut and shaped by using hand tools
so that the timber fits snugly together. Any gaps between the logs are filled with
clay found in a nearby river. This particular design was utilized in order to avoid
using nails or other metal pieces due to the expense. The roof of an izba has two
sloping sides with a series of windows beneath the gable. These windows are just
openings in the wall, covered in wooden shutters or hanging animal skins to keep
out rain or cold weather.
 13.Adobe house - Regions of North America 15
      Adobe homes are found in certain regions of North America, like Mexico and
the southwestern region of the US, where the climate is hot and dry. Adobe refers to any
kind of brick or mound of building material that has been made of sun dried earth (like
clay, for example). This practice dates back over 4,000 years. Adobe structures are very
durable and the thick walls help keep the interior of the home cool during hot summers.
Indigenous groups were the first to use this structural design in North America, piling clay
and wet earth into mounds to dry in the sun. When Spanish colonists arrived, they
introduced a brick-making method.
 14.Cape Dutch architecture - South Africa 16
     Cape Dutch architecture describes the unique building style found primarily in
the Western Cape of South Africa. These Cape Dutch style homes were built to
resemble the Dutch style townhomes of Amsterdam and are characterized by intricate
rounded gables over the entrance and on the sides. Another unique feature of this
architectural style is that the home has 1 principal area and 2 perpendicular wings,
which create a sort of 3-sided garden or patio area in the back. Typically, Cape Dutch
homes are finished in whitewash and have thatched roofs.
 15.Mar del Plata - Argentina
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      The Mar del Plata architectural style first began in the city of the same name, Mar
del Plata, in Argentina. In this country, these homes are also referred to as Californian
style, given their resemblance to the mission revival architecture that was common
during the late 1800’s in the US. Both styles resemble the Spanish missions that were
built in California. Mar del Plata homes were in high demand between 1935 and 1950
and can even be found in the similar seaside towns of Necochea and Miramar. Some of
the common features of this architectural style include its use of stone exteriors and
decorative log frames.
 16.Stone Cottage - Ireland 18

     The most common traditional home in Ireland is the stone cottage, which
dates back to the 18th century. Historians believe that these stone cottages
were first built as a means of replicating the larger homes of wealthier families.
Locally-sourced stone was used to build these homes, brought in from a 5-mile
radius by pack animals. The floors in these cottage was either fashioned of
packed earth or more stone, depending on availability of materials. 
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17.Thatched Cottage - England
      The thatched cottages of England are characterized by their unique roofs, which
  
are made of straw, palm fronds, reeds, or some other dried plant material. This
material is laid together so that rain and dampness roll off the outer layer, keeping
the interior of the house dry. Additionally, this design helps insulate the home.
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