A civil engineer on a journey Part 2: Traditional architecture in Shetland: What we can learn from the master builders of the 18th and 19th centuries

A civil engineer on a journey Part 2:

Traditional architecture in Shetland: What we can learn from the master builders of the 18th and 19th centuries

On the Shetland Islands, local builders in the 18th and 19th centuries erected buildings that could withstand the strongest storms and harshest winters. It is remarkable that these structures were built with the simplest of means and local resources. The roof in particular played a decisive role.

Comparison of roof constructions: Then and now

A look at the traditional Shetland roofs shows that they consisted of oat straw and hand-woven hemp nets weighted down with ballast stones. The substructure consisted of humus and peat, while natural stones acted as drip edges and also served as wind breakers. The walls consisted of dry masonry with sand joints and an interior cladding of sand-lime plaster. Almost all the materials came from the immediate vicinity, usually less than 500 meters from the building site. The roof construction consisted of driftwood, boat parts and branches, which created an aerodynamic shape to withstand the storms.

In comparison, today we use nailed fiber cement boards, mineral wool, membranes and drywall panels. The materials are often transported long distances and installed in elaborate, sharp-edged roof shapes that are susceptible to suction forces created by high winds. This modern construction method often results in buildings being damaged during storms.

Sustainable construction: A lesson from the past

The builders in Shetland were not driven by thoughts of a ‘sustainable’ future or reducing their carbon footprint. Rather, it was the need to make the most of the resources available. Their buildings last for hundreds of years without being firmly anchored – an impressive achievement based on a clever choice of materials and well thought-out construction.

Modern houses, on the other hand, are often affected by storms because the sharp-edged roof shapes create suction forces. The old Shetland buildings with their balanced, aerodynamic roofs show us that it is possible to construct buildings that can withstand the elements without relying on cutting-edge materials and techniques.

What can we planners learn from the master builders of the past?

We should ask ourselves whether it is not time to integrate the knowledge and techniques of our ancestors into our building today. Perhaps the future of construction lies not only in technological innovations, but also in a return to simple, tried and tested methods that respect and utilize natural conditions. How can we combine ancient construction methods with modern approaches to build more sustainably and resiliently?