> It is a type of architecture which is indigenous to a specific time and place and not replicated from elsewhere
As a British outsider, it kind of does sound like trailer parks are American vernacular architecture. Why aren't they?
As a British outsider, it kind of does sound like trailer parks are American vernacular architecture. Why aren't they?
On the other hand, if forestry and agriculture oriented areas of the USA find their local furniture and textile manufacturing tooling falling out of demand as furniture production goes offshore, is it possible to call it local knowhow if they repurpose those manufacturing plants to produce wood-framed, furnished turnkey mobile home trailers? It is still vernacular practice but at one remove, its nature changed by one layer (at least) of abstraction from a vernacular /tradition/, and its patterns denatured by that change as much as they were denatured by mass financing of managed mass production.
Capitalising on local knowledge and traditions.
Taking advantage of local materials and resources, meaning that they are relatively energy efficient and sustainable.
Providing a vital connection between humans and the environment in which they live.
They can be designed specifically with the local climatic conditions in mind, and often perform well.
Vernacular architecture is associated with regional styles using local materials to build homes for ordinary people. Trailers are not any of the above.