VERNACULAR RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE FROM THE GOLDEN CYCLE IN THE BRAZILIAN MIDWEST. BEST PRACTICES FOR THE RESTORATION

UNESCO recognized the Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás as a World Heritage Site on December 16, 2001. According to ICOMOS, the place stands out as a European-style town that was well adapted to the climate, geography and cultural life of South America. The harmony of the houses, the proportions and the building types show a clear evolution in local design through time. The urban layout also makes it possible to see its stylistic changes, from colonial houses to the 19th century eclectic style, creating a mix of historic periods in the same city. For UNESCO, the Historic Centre of Goiás, and also the 18th-century vernacular houses of Brazil´s Midwest, are important proof of colonial urbanization and also part of world architectural heritage. The use of local materials, simple proportions and clear style gives this heritage a special and global value, which explains why it received the World Heritage title. Because of that, this heritage must be studied, restored with best practices and preserved to protect its integrity for the future. This research aims to study vernacular houses in the time of the Gold Cycle in the Brazilian Midwest and make stronger their recognition as true expressions of local culture and traditional knowledge of the caipira people. The study uses bibliographic review to explain the history, the city growth, the house types, the traditional materials and the building techniques. Through three examples: Otilia House, Setecentista House and Enxaimel House, it will check restoration works and suggest best practices of preservation, following international rules but also adapting to today´s use. Keeping this architectural heritage is very important to guarantee cultural and historical continuity, showing how nature, traditional building skills and society of that time worked together. More than simple houses, these homes keep both the physical and symbolic memory of the region´s identity, while also facing the challenges and social changes of today.