Regaining a sense of belonging
Carved Systems
Carved Systems - a generative approach to vernacular architecture
Carved Systems is a speculative, research-led inquiry into the future development of subterranean vernacular architecture through a generative approach. By employing algorithmic simulations to predict its evolution, this project seeks to enhance the scalability and feasibility of vernacular architecture in contemporary and future contexts, enabling a sustainable return to sensible and indigenous habitable spaces.
Sweden
Regional
Lapland
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Prototype level
No
No
As an individual
Carved Systems is a speculative research inquiry into the future of vernacular architecture through a generative and algorithmic approach. At its core, the project seeks to reestablish a sense of belonging by redefining how architecture is conceived - moving away from standardized, industrialized construction methods and instead embracing culturally sensible, responsive, and materially efficient design principles. By employing AI-generated simulations, the project analyzes and predicts the evolution of vernacular building techniques, optimizing them for contemporary and future applications. It introduces architecture by subtraction, a methodology that prioritizes minimal resource consumption. Carved Systems envisions a return to spatial and material intelligence that is indigenous, sustainable, and adaptable. The project is particularly relevant to local communities seeking culturally resonant and ecologically responsible housing, as well as architects, urban planners, and researchers interested in alternative methodologies that challenge conventional construction practices. While currently in a conceptual and digital prototyping phase, the project has already begun developing small-scale tests that integrate algorithmic design, vernacular principles, and sustainability metrics. By blending indigenous knowledge with advanced computational tools, Carved Systems offers a new paradigm for architectural design—one that not only respects tradition but enhances it through innovation, ensuring that people can reconnect with their built environments and habitable spaces.
Vernacular architecture
Generative algorithms
Architecture by substraction
Subterranean habitats
Cultural integration
Carved Systems is rooted in sustainability, leveraging computational design and generative simulations to optimize vernacular architecture for contemporary and future applications. The project challenges conventional construction practices by prioritizing material efficiency. It’s core methodology, architecture by subtraction, emphasizes minimizing material use through excavation and adaptation rather than additive construction, drastically reducing waste, embodied energy and environmental impact.
One of the key objectives is to utilize local materials, reducing reliance on transported or industrially processed resources. By embedding circular economy principles, the project explores ways to reuse excavated materials within the design and construction process. Carved Systems simulates, predicts, and refines architectural solutions that inherent within the applied environmental context.
Another critical objective is energy efficiency—by leveraging both subterranean and vernacular strategies and thereby reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. The computed process also optimizes spatial configurations for passive ventilation and daylighting, ensuring that the built environment responds intelligently to ecological conditions.
As a research-based concept, Carved Systems has begun developing first computational frameworks that will serve as a scalable, adaptable. The potential for real-world implementation lies in its ability to offer architectural alternatives that are both contemporary and feasible while remaining rooted in indigenous traditions and spatial sensitivity.
One of the key objectives is to utilize local materials, reducing reliance on transported or industrially processed resources. By embedding circular economy principles, the project explores ways to reuse excavated materials within the design and construction process. Carved Systems simulates, predicts, and refines architectural solutions that inherent within the applied environmental context.
Another critical objective is energy efficiency—by leveraging both subterranean and vernacular strategies and thereby reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. The computed process also optimizes spatial configurations for passive ventilation and daylighting, ensuring that the built environment responds intelligently to ecological conditions.
As a research-based concept, Carved Systems has begun developing first computational frameworks that will serve as a scalable, adaptable. The potential for real-world implementation lies in its ability to offer architectural alternatives that are both contemporary and feasible while remaining rooted in indigenous traditions and spatial sensitivity.
Carved Systems redefines aesthetics by merging vernacular traditions with computational design, creating architecture that is both culturally rooted and responsive to human perception. Set in Swedish Lapland, the concepts follows a principle of architecture by subtraction, embedding structures into the terrain, minimizes environmental disruption while fostering a sense of place and belonging though the application of local materials.
Material authenticity is central to its aesthetic vision. By prioritizing locally sourced timber, stone, and ice, the project embraces the raw beauty of natural materials, allowing their textures and properties to define spatial atmospheres. Drawing from Peter Zumthor’s theories on sensory experience, Carved Systems creates immersive spaces shaped by light, shadow, and thermal qualities, enhancing the connection between inhabitants and their environment. Beyond materiality, the project employs artificial intelligence to analyse and reinterpret indigenous spatial morphologies, ensuring cultural continuity while optimizing environmental performance.
Material authenticity is central to its aesthetic vision. By prioritizing locally sourced timber, stone, and ice, the project embraces the raw beauty of natural materials, allowing their textures and properties to define spatial atmospheres. Drawing from Peter Zumthor’s theories on sensory experience, Carved Systems creates immersive spaces shaped by light, shadow, and thermal qualities, enhancing the connection between inhabitants and their environment. Beyond materiality, the project employs artificial intelligence to analyse and reinterpret indigenous spatial morphologies, ensuring cultural continuity while optimizing environmental performance.
Carved Systems is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that the architecture is accessible, affordable and culturally responsive. By leveraging vernacular intelligence and subtractive architecture, the project challenges industrialized construction models that often exclude marginalized communities due to high costs, standardization, and lack of cultural consideration. Instead, it proposes a localized, community-driven approach that empowers people to shape their built environments while ensuring economic feasibility, environmental sustainability, and cultural continuity.
One of the project’s core objectives is to democratize access to sustainable, high-quality architecture by reducing construction costs through material efficiency and local resource utilization. By using site-specific methods, such as excavation-based architecture, Carved Systems minimizes the need for imported materials and energy-intensive manufacturing, ensuring that affordable, self-sufficient housing solutions can be developed even in resource-scarce regions. This approach is particularly relevant for remote Arctic settlements, where traditional building materials are costly and prefabricated housing solutions fail to address cultural and environmental needs.
Carved Systems promotes inclusive governance models by integrating citizen participation into the architectural design process. Through co-design workshops, digital visualization tools and generative spatial simulations, local communities directly interact with, modify, and refine the architectural proposals.
The project exemplifies a new societal model where technology enhances traditional building intelligence. By bridging computational design with community agency, it repositions vernacular architecture as a forward-thinking, scalable solution for climate-responsive living.
One of the project’s core objectives is to democratize access to sustainable, high-quality architecture by reducing construction costs through material efficiency and local resource utilization. By using site-specific methods, such as excavation-based architecture, Carved Systems minimizes the need for imported materials and energy-intensive manufacturing, ensuring that affordable, self-sufficient housing solutions can be developed even in resource-scarce regions. This approach is particularly relevant for remote Arctic settlements, where traditional building materials are costly and prefabricated housing solutions fail to address cultural and environmental needs.
Carved Systems promotes inclusive governance models by integrating citizen participation into the architectural design process. Through co-design workshops, digital visualization tools and generative spatial simulations, local communities directly interact with, modify, and refine the architectural proposals.
The project exemplifies a new societal model where technology enhances traditional building intelligence. By bridging computational design with community agency, it repositions vernacular architecture as a forward-thinking, scalable solution for climate-responsive living.
As a research-driven project in its early stages, Carved Systems has primarily focused on the conceptual and first algorithmic development of generative vernacular architecture. While direct community involvement has not yet been fully implemented, the project is designed to actively engage local citizens and civil society in its next phases, particularly in Swedish Lapland, where vernacular and subtractive architecture could provide sustainable housing solutions and cultural continuity.
The project’s future engagement strategy emphasizes collaborative participation, ensuring that the architectural models generated align with local needs, traditions, and environmental conditions. One of the key areas of citizen involvement will be co-design workshops, where local communities, architects, and residents can interact with generative spatial simulations, offering feedback to refine the designs. By integrating traditional knowledge and lived experience, the project ensures that the use of artificial intelligence in the processes do not erase cultural identity but rather enhance it through adaptive, site-specific data.
The project aims to involve advocates for sustainable contruction, policymakers and local universities, creating space for a broader dialogue on vernacular architecture as a viable alternative to industrialized housing.
The project’s future engagement strategy emphasizes collaborative participation, ensuring that the architectural models generated align with local needs, traditions, and environmental conditions. One of the key areas of citizen involvement will be co-design workshops, where local communities, architects, and residents can interact with generative spatial simulations, offering feedback to refine the designs. By integrating traditional knowledge and lived experience, the project ensures that the use of artificial intelligence in the processes do not erase cultural identity but rather enhance it through adaptive, site-specific data.
The project aims to involve advocates for sustainable contruction, policymakers and local universities, creating space for a broader dialogue on vernacular architecture as a viable alternative to industrialized housing.
At the local level, the project seeks to collaborate with communities, local artisans, and advocates in Swedish Lapland. Their involvement is crucial in integrating vernacular construction techniques, material knowledge, and cultural traditions into the generative models. In future phases, co-design workshops will allow citizens and inhabitants of the region to interact and experimetn with the generative simulations. At the regional level, engagement with Lapland’s municipalities and local planning authorities is aimed at understanding policy constraints and potential applications of generative vernacular.
At the national level, the project aligns with Sweden’s sustainability and housing policies, particularly in the context of climate adaptation and resource-efficient construction.
And at European level, Carved Systems engages with broader architectural and research networks, including the New European Bauhaus initiative, which promotes aesthetically and environmentally responsible architecture. Academic partnerships, including collaborations with institutions such as European research programs on AI, sustainability and cultural heritage, offer opportunities to scale the project and refine its methodologies.
The added value of this multi-level stakeholder engagement is a more holistic and adaptable architectural framework, ensuring that Carved Systems is not only theoretically rigorous but also practically viable across different scales.
At the national level, the project aligns with Sweden’s sustainability and housing policies, particularly in the context of climate adaptation and resource-efficient construction.
And at European level, Carved Systems engages with broader architectural and research networks, including the New European Bauhaus initiative, which promotes aesthetically and environmentally responsible architecture. Academic partnerships, including collaborations with institutions such as European research programs on AI, sustainability and cultural heritage, offer opportunities to scale the project and refine its methodologies.
The added value of this multi-level stakeholder engagement is a more holistic and adaptable architectural framework, ensuring that Carved Systems is not only theoretically rigorous but also practically viable across different scales.
Carved Systems is an interdisciplinary initiative at the confluence of architecture, artificial intelligence, vernacular knowledge and sustainability, advancing a methodological approach that integrates computational modeling with traditional building intelligence. While AI has been applied in parametric architecture, its role in vernacular, site-specific, and subtractive architecture requires further exploration. The project fosters collaboration among architects, AI researchers, material scientists, anthropologists, and urban planners, ensuring a holistic integration of cultural knowledge, environmental adaptability, and material efficiency.
Carved Systems introduces algorithmically generated architecture based on data collection and analysis with vernacular intelligence, creating a sustainable, context-sensitive, and materially efficient approach to building.
this project reimagines architectural evolution by analyzing and optimizing vernacular traditions through computational tools. Rather than treating indigenous and historical building techniques as static artifacts, Carved Systems uses machine learning to predict, refine, and adapt these principles for contemporary applications, ensuring that local knowledge continues to evolve in a rapidly changing world.
One of the most innovative aspects of the project is its adaptive AI framework, which moves beyond formal parametricism to create culturally embedded, site-specific solutions. While most computational design focuses on aesthetic formalism, Carved Systems applies AI-driven simulation to deep environmental and cultural integration, ensuring that each generated structure is uniquely adapted to its specific climate, materials, and cultural context.
this project reimagines architectural evolution by analyzing and optimizing vernacular traditions through computational tools. Rather than treating indigenous and historical building techniques as static artifacts, Carved Systems uses machine learning to predict, refine, and adapt these principles for contemporary applications, ensuring that local knowledge continues to evolve in a rapidly changing world.
One of the most innovative aspects of the project is its adaptive AI framework, which moves beyond formal parametricism to create culturally embedded, site-specific solutions. While most computational design focuses on aesthetic formalism, Carved Systems applies AI-driven simulation to deep environmental and cultural integration, ensuring that each generated structure is uniquely adapted to its specific climate, materials, and cultural context.
Carved Systems employs a computational and research-driven methodology that integrates AI-generated simulations, vernacular intelligence, and sustainable subtractive design principles. The approach is structured around three key phases: data collection and analysis, algorithmic modeling, and adaptive prototyping.
The first phase focuses on data-driven analysis of vernacular architecture, using historical references, climatic data, and material studies to identify patterns in indigenous construction techniques.
This process involves researching Sámi goahti and kota structures, traditional Scandinavian turf houses, and other subterranean or earth-integrated typologies, drawing from architectural anthropology, environmental psychology, and computational morphology. The project utilizes GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and climate simulation tools to assess regional environmental conditions such as wind patterns, temperature fluctuations, and soil stability, ensuring that the generated designs align with the local ecological and cultural context.
In the second phase, AI-driven generative models are used to simulate and optimize vernacular forms. Machine learning algorithms analyze spatial configurations, thermal efficiency and structural integrity, generating adaptive architectural models that evolve based on site-specific parameters.
The third phase involves adaptive prototyping and iterative testing, where small-scale physical and digital models are evaluated against real-world constraints.
The first phase focuses on data-driven analysis of vernacular architecture, using historical references, climatic data, and material studies to identify patterns in indigenous construction techniques.
This process involves researching Sámi goahti and kota structures, traditional Scandinavian turf houses, and other subterranean or earth-integrated typologies, drawing from architectural anthropology, environmental psychology, and computational morphology. The project utilizes GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and climate simulation tools to assess regional environmental conditions such as wind patterns, temperature fluctuations, and soil stability, ensuring that the generated designs align with the local ecological and cultural context.
In the second phase, AI-driven generative models are used to simulate and optimize vernacular forms. Machine learning algorithms analyze spatial configurations, thermal efficiency and structural integrity, generating adaptive architectural models that evolve based on site-specific parameters.
The third phase involves adaptive prototyping and iterative testing, where small-scale physical and digital models are evaluated against real-world constraints.
The Carved Systems methodology is designed to be highly adaptable across different geographical, cultural, and environmental contexts. While the project is currently based in Swedish Lapland another iterations haveconsidered Scotland, Finland, Norway and Iceland. Its generative design process, subtractive architecture approach, and circular resource efficiency principles can be applied to a variety of climatic and socio-economic settings, benefiting a wide range of communities, researchers, and industries.
One of the most transferable elements of the project is its computational design methodology. The generative morphogenesis process, which analyzes climate, topography, and material availability to generate sustainable architectural forms, can be applied to other vernacular typologies worldwide. Whether in desert environments, tropical rainforests or mountainous terrains, this adaptive AI framework can be fine-tuned to optimize regional architectural traditions, reducing reliance on standardized industrial construction.
The subtractive architecture strategy, which focuses on minimizing material use by working with existing landscapes, is also broadly applicable. In regions prone to extreme temperatures, such as hot deserts (Middle East, North Africa) or cold environments (Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada) earth-integrated structures provide passive thermal regulation, reducing energy consumption. This model could be replicated for rural settlements, eco-tourism projects or urban expansions that prioritize low-impact construction.
One of the most transferable elements of the project is its computational design methodology. The generative morphogenesis process, which analyzes climate, topography, and material availability to generate sustainable architectural forms, can be applied to other vernacular typologies worldwide. Whether in desert environments, tropical rainforests or mountainous terrains, this adaptive AI framework can be fine-tuned to optimize regional architectural traditions, reducing reliance on standardized industrial construction.
The subtractive architecture strategy, which focuses on minimizing material use by working with existing landscapes, is also broadly applicable. In regions prone to extreme temperatures, such as hot deserts (Middle East, North Africa) or cold environments (Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada) earth-integrated structures provide passive thermal regulation, reducing energy consumption. This model could be replicated for rural settlements, eco-tourism projects or urban expansions that prioritize low-impact construction.
Carved Systems tackles pressing global challenges, including climate change, resource scarcity, cultural displacement und unsustainable urbanization, by developing localized, site-specific architectural solutions that integrate vernacular knowledge with advanced computational tools.
One of the most urgent global challenges addressed by the project is climate resilience in extreme environments. As global temperatures fluctuate and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, architecture must adapt to new environmental pressures. In Swedish Lapland, where Arctic conditions demand high thermal efficiency and minimal energy dependence, Carved Systems develops earth-integrated, low-impact structures that regulate temperature passively, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based heating and cooling systems.
Another significant challenge addressed by the project is resource scarcity and unsustainable construction practices. The mainstream building industry is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions and waste production, often relying on imported materials and energy-intensive manufacturing processes. In contrast, Carved Systems promotes circular construction principles, ensuring that local materials—such as stone, soil, and timber—are used efficiently. This zero-waste, site-responsive approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also serves as a model for future urban planning strategies that prioritize low-carbon, self-sustaining building solutions.
Beyond environmental concerns, Carved Systems also addresses the global erosion of cultural identity in architecture. As cities around the world become increasingly homogenized due to industrialized, modular construction, the project demonstrates how AI can be used to evolve vernacular traditions.
This approach is particularly important for communities facing cultural displacement, where architecture can play a critical role in preserving heritage and reinforcing a sense of belonging.
One of the most urgent global challenges addressed by the project is climate resilience in extreme environments. As global temperatures fluctuate and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, architecture must adapt to new environmental pressures. In Swedish Lapland, where Arctic conditions demand high thermal efficiency and minimal energy dependence, Carved Systems develops earth-integrated, low-impact structures that regulate temperature passively, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based heating and cooling systems.
Another significant challenge addressed by the project is resource scarcity and unsustainable construction practices. The mainstream building industry is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions and waste production, often relying on imported materials and energy-intensive manufacturing processes. In contrast, Carved Systems promotes circular construction principles, ensuring that local materials—such as stone, soil, and timber—are used efficiently. This zero-waste, site-responsive approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also serves as a model for future urban planning strategies that prioritize low-carbon, self-sustaining building solutions.
Beyond environmental concerns, Carved Systems also addresses the global erosion of cultural identity in architecture. As cities around the world become increasingly homogenized due to industrialized, modular construction, the project demonstrates how AI can be used to evolve vernacular traditions.
This approach is particularly important for communities facing cultural displacement, where architecture can play a critical role in preserving heritage and reinforcing a sense of belonging.
In the year following the application, Carved Systems will focus on refining its conceptual framework, advancing AI-driven modeling, engaging with local communities, and conducting a small-scale pilot project to validate its approach. This structured development plan will transition the project from a theoretical research initiative into an applied experimental phase, ensuring practical feasibility, stakeholder engagement, and broader dissemination.
