The course The Building Trades in Contemporary Architecture was organized by the Institute for Continuing Education of the Official Institute of Architects of Madrid (COAM) in collaboration with the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation, and was held recently at the COAM headquarters in Madrid.
Aimed at architects, urban planners, students, and construction professionals, the course was based on the conviction that traditional architecture, urbanism, and building practices provide a solid foundation for addressing, from a contemporary perspective, the cultural, technical, and environmental challenges of today’s built environment.
The programme explored the potential of local materials, vernacular construction techniques, and traditional environmental strategies as the foundations of a sustainable architecture and urbanism rooted in their physical and cultural context. Through a transversal and applied approach, the course provided tools and references useful both for professionals at the early stages of their careers and for those seeking to reorient their practice toward an architecture more closely connected to place and its building culture.
The programme combined theoretical sessions with practical workshops led by masters of the building trades. Through these workshops, participants were introduced to contemporary applications of masonry techniques, lime and gypsum finishes, timber structures, traditional joinery, and earthen construction. This practical training was complemented by the analysis of architectural designs that demonstrated the continued relevance and adaptability of these forms of knowledge in current professional practice.
