1. Palloza in Spain
Galician traditional dwelling is known as palloza (northwest of the Iberian Peninsula). The timber frame was surrounded by a stone wall with modest windows and entrance openings. A thatched roof in the shape of a cone was then placed over the entire structure. Up to the 1970s, Palloza were utilized as houses in Galicia.
2. Wigwam in North America
Native Americans frequently erected cone-shaped huts with smoke holes known as wigwams. The structure is constructed from thin, curved tree trunks and is covered in bark, skins, or linen. Although not designed for relocation, these homes might be quickly put together and subsequently built in a new area if necessary.
3. Kurin’ in Ukraine
In the lower reaches of the Dnipro and Don rivers, the Cossacks called Kurin’ (from the Ukrainian word for “smoke”) home. In the sixteenth century, the first Cossack communities developed in floodplains (river reed bushes). The majority of these structures were temporary homes with walls built of mounds of dirt covered in clay, a reed roof, and of course a smoke hole. Many elements of these original Cossack homes can still be found in Eastern European houses that are more recent.
4. Torfbæir in Iceland
Since the time of the Vikings, Iceland has had a traditional structure called a torfbaeir, also known as a turf house. Its design was influenced by the harsh environment and timber shortage. On the location of the future house, large flat stones were placed, encircled by a timber frame, and then covered with several layers of turf. The second half of the home was for livestock, with the first half being for people.
5. Diaolou in China
A fortified high-rise structure called Diaolou can be seen in Guangdong Province in southern China. When robber gangs were active in southern China during the Ming Dynasty, the first diaolou were constructed. Such fortress dwellings were constructed in later, more secure periods simply by adhering to tradition.
6. Minka in Japan
A minka is a traditional Japanese dwelling designed for members of the lower classes, such as farmers, artists, and small business owners. These adorable homes were constructed using mostly bamboo, wood, and clay that was readily available in the area. Even the most basic Minka has a certain Japanese appeal about it despite its simplicity.
7. Igloo in Native Canadians
The igloo is among the most recognizable traditional housing designs in the world. It is constructed using blocks of snow that typically form a dome. The Inuit of the Canadian Arctic frequently used igloos as temporary winter hideaways for hunters, seasonal homes for one or more families, or, in some cases, entire communities with spacious halls where gatherings, ceremonies, and sporting events were performed with jubilant singing and dancing.
8. Manyatta in Africa
The Maasai tribe of Africa has its traditional home in Manyatta. Women created this house, which is highly unique in Western culture. The building is composed of grass-tied timber poles that have been strengthened with mud and cow dung. Manyatta has at least two rooms, one for sleeping and cooking and another for calves, just like the other houses on this list.
9. Mazanka in Ukraine
A mazanka is a vintage, traditional Ukrainian cottage built to withstand moderate and warm weather. Typically, it is surrounded by a wooden frame and has walls made of thin branches. White clay was applied to the façade, while clay, reeds, and straw were combined within for improved thermal isolation. Despite not being protected from moisture due to an inadequate foundation, Mazanka served its owners for at least 100 years. These huts are still present throughout Ukraine.
