Juniper timber: potentiality of a vernacular raw material

摘要

This research presents some features about juniper timber, above all related with aspects of its structural use (for supports, pillars, beams, roofs...) in some vernacular architecture. Therefore a special attention is driven to botanical, technical, mechanical features, typical for this type of rare wood. Its traditional use in the Iberian Peninsula and throughout the Mediterranean Basin is still visible in some cases of study, presented in the research. Good constructive qualities make juniper timber a great candidate for further test-researches and experiments, focalized on the family of traditional and"ever green "constructive materials.