Although the widespread application of the term sustainability to architecture is
relatively recent, the principles we associate to this concept are very ancient. For instance, in vernacular
constructions, built without any conscious theoretical knowledge, we can find the practical
application of many principles that are now considered essential in architecture sustainability. This
paper aims to present Fernando Távora’s project for a holiday house in Ofír (1957/58) as an example
of the way a modern architect, working in the mid-fifties of the 20th century, could learn from the
lessons of sustainability presented by the vernacular culture of the north of Portugal, many years
before. It is important to remember those lessons, because most of them are still valid, today.This work was financed by the Project Lab2PT – Landscapes, Heritage and Territory laboratory – UIDB/04509/2020 through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
