Arquitetura vernacular narrada: as casas dos imigrantes italianos de Pelotas descritas por seus descendentes

Abstract

Antiga Pelotas region is rich in architectonic heritage with asset value that hasn’t been received institutional appreciation yet, thus remain invisible. Our intention is to identify the relevance of the stone houses built by Italian immigrants in Colônia Maciel, which are examples of these heritages, in their "colonos" identity formation. Hybrid oral history methodology was used, combining the collection of interviews from the Ethnographic Museum of Colônia Maciel with vernacular architecture and Italian immigration literature. Initially, the collection was analysed based on oral history theory, followed by the understanding of the importance attached to the remaining buildings by these heritages’ owners. A common theme in narratives is the emphasis on memories of difficulties and scarcity, which are identifying elements for these individuals. It is possible to observe that the stone houses materiality serves as a testimony about the overcoming the adversities faced.