Architects of the world's great buildings are celebrated, but makers of the more humble ‘vernacular architecture’ remain anonymous. This information-packed, visual guide introduces the wealth of local structures worldwide, accompanied by an expert narrative exploring cultural approaches and key aspects of construction. A stunning colour gallery shows the diversity of construction materials, then the book explores vernacular architecture across each continent. From the wooden churches of Eastern and Central Europe, the tower houses of Yemen, the efficient gers of Mongolia and the log cabins of North America to the towering treehouses of Indonesia, profiles of each building are accompanied by beautiful illustrations, including diagrams and cross-sections, showing how the structures were built and from which materials. A chapter on modern vernacular architecture illustrates the current revival of traditional skills.