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Lo-Tek: Design by Radical Indigenism by Julia Watson

When it comes to the future of sustainable architecture, the natural inclination is to turn to emerging technologies as tools to reduce our environmental impact. Julia Watson, who coined the Lo-Tek movement, believes that in order to move forward, we need to look back to the multi-generational wisdom of Indigenous peoples. By embracing the vernacular, she argues, we can not only resist the idea that Indigenous practices are primitive but also harness the benefits of place-based design that works with rather than against its context. Four chapters hone in on different climates — mountains, forests, deserts and wetlands — highlighting case studies from 18 countries...