A key issue in sustainability lies with imported building materials, leading architects to look for more ways to use local resources. As attention is turned towards existing materials, traditional design solutions must also be taken into account as each culture has its own history of building in a particular climate and region.

In a recently released book Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Planet, edited by Sandra Piesik, these unique cultural design solutions are highlighted as lessons for current architects. As the construction industry's resource-heavy techniques eat up energy and produce greenhouse gas emissions, the question at the center of these issues is "what is modern"? Traditional architecture is not necessarily in opposition to progress. Moving forward, many architects are now embracing a combination of local practices with the latest technology, aesthetics and engineering. The challenge is now to use these combined resources and devise an economically viable model.