The Census of Rural Architecture in Italy: a Replicable Model for the Cataloguing

The Italian landscape is enriched by rural architecture, which is a fundamental element and a valuablecultural asset. Despite increasing interest, research in this field struggles to establish itself as anautonomous discipline. This paper proposes a methodological model that can be replicated for thecensus and cataloging of rural architecture, emphasizing its historical, cultural, and environmentalsignificance. The aim is to provide a systematic framework for analyzing and preserving these structuresby integrating historical, typological, and territorial data into a coherent system of knowledge andvalorization. Since the early 20th century, the study of architecture has expanded to include vernacularbuildings alongside monumental ones. Scholars such as Giuseppe Pagano, Bernard Rudofsky, andAmos Rapoport emphasized the significance of spontaneous rural constructions in shaping sustainableand context-driven architectural practices. Today, rural architecture is increasingly recognized for itsrole in landscape conservation and sustainable development. The Italian Ministry of Culture and PNRRhave promoted the National Rural Architecture Census, which aims to identify and document varioustypes of rural buildings across Italy. The goal is to compile around 50,000 cataloging forms, dividedinto eight regional lots, with the help of the Central Institute for Cataloging and Documentation(ICCD). The AR (Rural Architecture) form provides a systematic classification of buildings constructedup to 1940, gathering essential data on architectural typology, construction techniques, materials, andconservation status. By completing this census, we can safeguard rural architecture and create a modelfor cataloging vernacular heritage that can be replicated. The project's aim is to combine historicalresearch with innovative tools to foster interdisciplinary approaches that support the conservation andsustainable reuse of rural structures, guaranteeing their transmission to future generations.